SPRINGFIELD – As a strong advocate for agriculture education, State Senator Doris Turner championed a new law to allow hands-on learning for FFA and 4-H students to count toward school hours.

“As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and a member of the Senate Education Committee, I know the valuable experiences students get from participating in hands-on learning,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “This is a necessary step to ensuring no student is jeopardized for attending an FFA or 4-H event.”

Building on Turner’s 2023 law, House Bill 2802 allows participation in supervised career development experiences and other approved work-based learning activities to count toward the daily calculation of school clock hours.

Illinois FFA is a youth organization that prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. 4-H is the largest out-of-school youth organization across the state aimed at teaching practical skills to youth by offering lessons in communications, leadership, career development, livestock, home improvement and computer technology.

“To really understand the ag industry, students need to have the option to participate in events and competitions that provide hands-on learning,” said Turner. “Illinois is a national agriculture leader and it’s important we build the pipeline to encourage students to join the industry.”

House Bill 2802 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.