Congratulations to Don Dixon, Class 15, and his wife Georgia who celebrated 65 years of marriage, on December 27 with a Zoom call with friends and family from around the US calling to pass along greetings. Don has held several positions of leadership through the years including: State Agriculture Director for Senator Mike Crapo while at the same time Georgia was working for Senator Larry Craig out of his eastern Idaho office. The Dixon’s have now retired in New Sweden, Idaho outside of Idaho Falls on the family farm that is being operated by family members. Their son, Tobin Dixon, Class 39, helped to plan and coordinate the special event.

Congratulations to Wayne Hoffman, Class 26, who recently became a Grandfather to a little girl, Georgia. She was born in mid-December. Wayne serves as Executive Director of the Idaho Freedom Foundation.

On December 29 a new arrival occurred for Annie Inks, Class 35 and husband Daniel. Halle Elizabeth was born at 7:15 PM weighing 8 lbs and 3 oz and was 20” long. Annie has been employed at AgriBeef Co. as Director of Wagyu Procurement and Producer Relations.

Best wishes for a quick recovery to Paul Schlader, Class 19 who is recovering at home from a knee replacement. Paul is semi-retired but anxious to be active again.

Lisa Shively, Class 15, is recovering from a series of surgeries. Her husband Rob feels like he is married to the Bionic Woman. Lisa and Rob farm with their son in Eastern Idaho.

April Bryngelson, Class 30, is also recovering from surgery. April works for the USDA Farm Service Agency as a Farm Loan Manager.

Sympathy is extended to the family of Charlie Bryan, Class 10 in the loss of his father on December 20. Mr. Bryan was 90 years old and had served in the Air Force.

Congratulations to Larry Hollifield, Class 41 who was recently appointed to fill a term on the Hansen School Board. Larry farms in the Hansen area with his dad, Terry Hollifield, Class 2.

​Recently elected to the Idaho Ag in the Classroom Board of Directors at their 2020 annual meeting was Launa Fowler, Class 32 who works with the family dairy operation in Mt. Home – TLK Dairy and Farms where she serves as Administrative Assistant. Also elected was Hillary Lowe, wife of Jim Lowe, Class 31. The Lowes own and operate Lowe Family Farmstead.

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture has recently appointed a State Noxious Weed Advisory Board to oversee activities related to terrestrial and aquatic weeds in Idaho. Appointed by Director Gould include the following LIA Alumni: Dustin Miller, Class 28, Director, Idaho Department of Lands; Cathy Ford, Class 26, Idaho Transportation Department; Alan Martinson, Class 27, representing North Region Weed Superintendents; Bonnie Davis, Class 23, representing West Region Weed Superintendents; Mitch Whitmill, Class 31, representing East Region Weed Superintendents; Kali Sherrill, Class 27, representing Central Region Weed Superintendents; Dr. Tim Prather, Class 25, University of Idaho Invasive Plants, Daniel Bertram, Class 30, Office of Species Conservation and Patxi Larrocea-Phillips, Class 41 representing Idaho Noxious Weed Control Assn. Leading the committee of 15 is Jeremey Varley, Class 35, who serves as State Noxious Weed Coordinator for ISDA. The committee held their initial virtual meeting on December 16. 

Thanks to those who have been selling and returning Grand Prize tickets for the LIA Auction. It appears the auction will be a virtual auction, still to be held on Thursday, February 25. Details are being worked out to host regional “watch parties” the night of the auction, how bidding will be handled and where you can see items for the live auction. More details will be passed along as they become available. We are starting to receive items for the auction in the office at this time. We welcome your contributions of items to be sold at the auction.

We have dropped some hints about the development of the first ever – LIA Cookbook. This is a project of the Development/Marketing Committee. Chairman of the Cookbook Steering Committee is Malia Miller, Class 36. Serving on the committee with Malia are the following: Elli Brown, Class 32; Kyra Gibson, Class 35; Leah Clark, Class 26; Heidi Martin, Class 28; Nic Gibson, Class 37; Aria Spear, Class 39; Treg Owings, Class 35; Laura Wilder, Class 38; Carmen Willmore, Class 38; Grace Wittman, wife of Nic Wittman, Class 39; Susi Larrocea, Class 4; Ann Jacops, Class 31 and LIA Development Director Kendra Dustin, Class 32. More details will be mailed to all LIA alumni in January related to the cookbook project.

This has been a challenging year for Class 41 as we have worked to navigate the ability to meet based upon group gathering size in Idaho. Currently the Idaho Falls and the Twin Falls sessions have been postponed until Idaho returns to Stage 3 – gatherings of at least 50 people. We do want to say thank you to our Session Sponsors who have helped to support the class operation during this challenging time.

Congratulations to Steve Kaufman, Class 34, and wife Christina on the birth of Thomas Raymond Kaufman, born November 22. Now there is a trio of little guys in the Kaufman home, Ben, Will and Thomas. Steve farms in the Lewiston area.

Congratulations to Bryce Durrant, Class 39, and wife Carly on the birth of a Carter Keith on November 26. This is the first child for Bryce and Carly and they share their excitement with Grandpa Richard Durrant, Class 9. Bryce is employed at Big D Ranch in Meridian.

Dan Pinther, Class 30, became a Great Grandparent on October 27 when their Grandson Kade presented them with a Great Granddaughter Hagan Mae Pinther, weighing in at 7lbs.

Sympathy is extended to the Hartman Family in the loss of the family’s matriarch, Carol Hartman, in mid-November. This includes sons: John Hartman, Class 10, Bill Hartman, Class 5. Grandchildren: Jeff Hartman, Class 34, Josh Rubel, Class 32, and Kathryn Hartman, Class 41.

Sympathy is extended to Jim Patrick, Class 15, in the passing of his mother Madonna Patrick at 99 years old. This also includes grandson David Patrick, Class 29.

Sympathy is extended to Kim Royer, Class 24, on the loss of a brother recently. Kim works for USDA Farm Service Agency in Adams County with heavy involvement in the family farming operation.

Idaho Farm Bureau Federation recognized Adam Clark, Class 38, and his family. They were recently awarded the 2020 Idaho Farm Bureau Excellence Award. The video on Adam’s Facebook page gives highlights of the award. Adam farms with his brother and father, Roger Clark, Class 13. The Clark’s operation is located in Menan. Adam also serves as Chairman of the board for Valley Wide Cooperative.

The members of the 2021 Idaho Legislature came to town the first of December for what is called their reorganization session. LIA alumni scored well in positions of leadership: Senator Jim Patrick, Class 15, was named Chairman of the Commerce & Human Resources Committee; Senator Dan Johnson, Class 14, was named Vice Chairman of the Resources Committee. In the House, Rep. Caroline Troy, Class 15, was named Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Clark Kauffman, Class 13, was named Chairman of the House Agricultural Affairs Committee; and Rep. Marc Gibbs, Class 4, was named Chairman of the Resource & Conservation Committee along with Rep. Laurie Lickley, LIA Affiliate Member being named Vice Chairman of the committee.  

Never has this happened, the LIA Executive Committee decided on December 2 to postpone the Second Session for LIA Class 41 to be held in Idaho Falls. This decision was driven by the fact that Idaho is still in Stage 2 – not allowing for assembly of more than 10 people. The facility in Idaho Falls had appealed the situation to the local Health District but were told they must adhere to the Governor’s directive or potentially face fines. Several alternatives are being explored to determine the best path going forward for the class to receive the information and instruction from the Idaho Falls Session.

I think it is clear to all Alumni that anyone at any time can submit potential names for future classes of LIA. What we need is a name and physical mailing address. We do not need a phone number or an email address. We will send the potential list a postcard in the spring announcing the dates and locations for the next class.

Be watching your mailbox for what is called the LIA Grander Grand Prize information in preparation for the 2021 Alumni Gala and Auction scheduled for the last week of February.

Thanks to those that joined us for the LIA Alumni LINK call on December 3. The call had a great deal of timely information related to the current COVID situation, and then several features related to “How We are doing Business at this Time.” We highlighted accounting, banking, loan and commodity programs and the new protocols that are in place for dealing with experts in these areas. If you missed the call, then plan to see the recording HERE.