ICGA, M&P honor U.S. Rep. Baird with 2024 Friend of Farmer award 

By Dave Blower Jr. 

Indiana’s soybean and corn policy organizations honored long-time Hoosier lawmaker U.S. Rep. Jim Baird (R-Dist. 4) with its Friend of Farmer award on Aug. 9 during a Shop Talk event on the farm of Kevin Kelley in Brookston, Ind. Indiana Corn Growers Association (ICGA) President Chris Cherry and Indiana Soybean Alliance Membership and Policy (M&P) Chair Joe Stoller presented Baird with the award. 

Steve Howell, Senior Director of Industry Affairs for M&P and ICGA, said the award recognizes a state or federal official who has promoted policies that support Indiana’s corn and soybean farmers. 

“The Indiana Soybean Alliance Membership and Policy Committee, along with the Indiana Corn Growers Association, has a Friend of Farmer award,” Howell stated. “That’s something we don’t take lightly. When we created that award, we agreed it’s reserved for policy leaders who are always with us, really leading on our issues – going above and beyond.” 

Baird is the seventh person to earn this honor. Previous winners include National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney, State Rep. Don Lehe, State Sen. Jean Leising, U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, State Rep. Ed Soliday and U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly. 

The incumbent congressman from District 4 in West-Central Indiana was pleased to receive the award from farmers in a room full of farmers. 

“I thank you for the opportunity to be here, and I can’t think of any place in the world that I’d rather be than right here in the heart of farm country, in the State of Indiana and with good people like you,” Baird said. “I mean that sincerely. You’re the kind of people that are the foundation of this country, and I want you to keep doing what you’re doing. And what you’re doing I consider far more important than what I’m doing at the present time. I appreciate my association with all of you.” 

Prior to being elected to Congress in 2018, Baird was a state representative to the Indiana General Assembly for eight years. Throughout his legislative career, both at the state and federal levels, Baird has served on committees that cover rural and agricultural issues. Stoller, a farmer from Bremen, Ind., and Cherry said Hoosier farmers are well represented by Baird in Congress. 

“Congressman Baird has been a longtime friend and ally to our commodity groups and Hoosier farmers,” said Cherry, who farms in rural Hancock County, Ind. “He has always been there for ISA and ICGA issues, including an early co-sponsor of the Next Generations Fuels Act. Through his work on the House Agriculture Committee, a farm bill proposal was developed and passed out of committee that includes many of our priorities.” 

Federal farm bill progress 

Howell said Baird’s work in pushing for adoption of a federal farm bill is one of many projects where Baird has taken a lead for Hoosier farmers. As a member of the House Ag Committee, Baird helped get a farm bill passed through the U.S. House of Representatives by a bi-partisan vote. However, the Senate’s version of the bill has not yet been written, and the process has stalled. 

Before a new farm bill can be signed by President Biden, the Senate will need to pass a bill, then a committee including both House and Senate members will meet to develop a unified bill. After Congress adopts the committee’s compromise bill, then the proposal would go to the president to be signed. 

Although election year politics has often impeded progress of this overdo legislation, Baird remains optimistic that something could be passed before the end of the year. 

“I talked to (Rep.) G.T. Thompson, the chairman of the House committee just before I left for the August recess, and he was talking about the possibility of trying to get something done in September,” he said. “The farm bill expires September, and it really, really needs to be reauthorized by the end of the year. But, you have to be optimistic in order to keep moving forward. I hope the Senate will have a change of heart; and maybe, they will present their version of the farm bill. Then, we can reconcile that bill and get something done. 

“This is important because farmers and ranchers need to make plans for 2025. The current farm bill is expiring. How can farmers make the kind of plans that they need to make without knowing what programs will be afforded them in a new farm bill? I believe we must get a new farm bill out of Congress.” 

Baird’s career in brief 

Baird is a lifelong resident of West Central Indiana. In addition to the House Committee on Agriculture, he also serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. 

Before being elected to Congress, he served eight years as a State Representative in the Indiana General Assembly. During this time, he was a member of the Ways and Means Committee and played an integral role in balancing Indiana’s budget. He also served on the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, the Statutory Committee on Interstate and International Cooperation, the Environmental Affairs Committee, the Statutory Committee on Ethics, the Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee. 

Baird said he is a strong believer in fiscal responsibility and applies the idea of government living within its own means. He wants to keep Indiana a place where Hoosiers can thrive, and businesses can grow. 

Additionally, Baird served in local government as a County Commissioner where he focused on improving his community’s infrastructure and keeping local services efficient and cost-effective. 

Baird is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, as his distinguished service was recognized with a Bronze Star with V device and two Purple Hearts. He and his unit were inducted in the U.S. Transportation Corps Hall of Fame. One of the Gun Trucks from the unit, “The Eve of Destruction” is on display in the Transportation Museum in Ft. Eustis, Va. 

He is a graduate of Purdue University, obtaining Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in animal science. After returning from Vietnam, Baird earned a Doctoral degree from the University of Kentucky in monogastric nutrition. 

Baird is an active or former member of numerous organizations including the Rotary Club of Greencastle, the Putnam County Fair and 4-H Club Association, VFW, American Legion, Indiana Farm Bureau, OCS 270 and numerous others. He served on the advisory council for Purdue University’s Dean of Agriculture. 

He is married to his high school sweetheart, Danise, and together they are the parents of three children, all graduates of Purdue University. Before joining Congress, he ran a home healthcare agency and a farm with his family. In his spare time, Baird enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and working on his family farm.