Beau Baird selected for Agricultural Leadership Program

Beau Baird

On July 7, Beau Baird, recently elected as a delegate to the Republican State Convention, will join 29 other top Hoosier farmers and agribusiness professionals in Donaldson for the AgrIInstitute's Agricultural Leadership Program (ALP).

Since its inception in 1984, the purpose of the two-year program has been to "create a cadre of self-assured, highly motivated professionals who possess the leadership capacity to serve Indiana agriculture and rural communities in public affairs at the local, state, national and international levels."

Baird and his classmates are expected to attend 12 seminars, meet with national leaders in Washington, D.C., and spend 10 to 14 days studying international issues in a foreign country. Participants are excused only for "extreme emergencies" and required to pay a tuition fee of $5,000.

Funded by donations and grants from individuals, corporations and associations, the AgrIInstitute invests $15,000 in each participant. Program graduates select students from a pool of applicants based in part on their communication skills, leadership skills and knowledge of agricultural trends and issues.

Baird is a Purdue graduate who serves as the chief financial officer for Indiana Home Care Plus and for Baird Family Farms 4LLC. He is the owner and operator of Baird Ranch, and a board member of the American Quarter Horse Association; sub-chair for the National Committee and a member of Putnam County Republicans.