Congratulations to Don and Dianne Gaalswyk, White Harvest Farms who were recently named one of the Featured Farm Families at the Twin Falls County Fair. A total of six families were recognized. The Gaalswyk’s are familiar faces at Magic Valley LIA events as the parents of Debra Easterday Reeves, Class 41. Don has held several leadership positions in Idaho’s dairy industry.

Sympathy is extended to Bill, Class 25, and Laurie Lickley, Affiliate Member, in the recent passing of Bill’s father.
 
Sympathy is extended to Samantha and Stephen Parrott, Class 39, in the passing of Samantha's mother who lived in Eastern Idaho. Samantha is the Executive Director of Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association. Stephen works as CFO for Fort Boise Produce in Nyssa.
 
Sympathy is extended to Kody Youree, Class 43, in the recent passing of his mother. Kody’s parents lived close to Kody and his wife Monica, Class 42. Kody farms in the Twin Falls area.
 
Sympathy is extended to Abbie Quesnell, Class 38, on the unexpected passing of her mother on September 25. Abbie works in Burley for McCain Foods. 
 
Jana Jones Neiers, Class 23, has just returned to Boise after a year of traveling the world. Jana is currently working for Adler Industrial LLC where she is serving as the companies Chief of Staff. Adler Industrial is a Boise based industrial real estate development company.

If you live in the Treasure Valley and are looking for a great family experience, plan to visit Lowe Family Farmstead in Kuna. Lowe Family Farmstead is operated by Jim, Class 31, and Hillary Lowe. You will see other familiar faces at the farm like Nic, Class 37, and Kyra Gibson, Class 35, who are managers within the operation. Check out the admission and activities on their website at www.lowefamilyfarmstead.com.
 
Class 44 has been selected and all thirty individuals have responded that they are in for the journey.  Attached to this brief  you will find the names, occupations, location in the state and a partial list of sponsors. If you know some of these individuals or were part of their recruitment process, please reach out and congratulate them. The four session locations and dates are as follows:

Nov 6-9: Moscow (University Inn)
Dec 4-7: Idaho Falls (Holiday Inn & Suites) 
Jan 1-5: Twin Falls (Marriott TownePlace Suites)
Feb 18-23: Boise (Hilton Garden Inn Boise)
Feb 21: Gala Dinner and Auction (Wednesday) - Boise Centre
Feb 23: Graduation – Hilton Garden Inn

Rick and Dorita will be traveling the state over the next few weeks for orientations with the new class of candidates in preparation for their first week in November. Please watch your mail for future dates of regional events in your area to meet and interact with the class.

STATE EXCHANGE TO LOUISIANA:
November 12-17 is the LIA State Exchange to Louisiana. At this time, the following are signed up to attend:
Rick & Morgan Brune
Drew* & Bruce Cruickshank
Neil & Melissa Durrant
Drew Eggers
Nate & Launa Fowler
Ron & Carol Jones
Kenyon & Julie Miller*
Ryan & Malia Miller*
Clinton & Lindee Pline*
Dave Reynolds* & Tom Fiez
Will* & Aimbree Ricks
Mark Thiel*
Jen Uranga & Steve Elerick
Nic Wittman & Guest
 
Staff:
Rick & Dorita Waitley
Kendra Dustin

Total cost is $1950. Individual scholarships of up to $750 are available for LIA Alumni. If you have specific questions, please reach out to Development Director Kendra Dustin at kendra@amgidaho.com or by phone at 208-859-6780. We still have room for 5-6 more people to join us. Final deadline to sign up is October 6th.
 
SPONSORSHIP FOR CLASS 44
Attached is the sponsorship form for events connected to Class 44 Session. We appreciate support from individuals, farms, organizations and companies who show their support for breaks, meals or individual class members. If you have questions on the sponsorship opportunity please reach out to Rick or Kendra for answers. We would appreciate receiving all sponsorship forms well in advance of each session location to give you full recognition for your support of LIA.
 
DUES AND DIRECTORY UPDATES: Alumni dues are payable as of July 1, 2023. If you have not completed the form you can find a membership application for annual or Lifetime members on line at www.leadershipidahoag.org.
 
Over the past few weeks Sarah has been sending to all alumni the 2023-2024 Alumni Directory update form. We are working to have the new directory out to members prior to November 1. Your cooperation in returning any update contact information, employment and or listing of a current positions of leadership you hold would be appreciated. You can contact Sarah Freeman at sarah@amgidaho.com.

Congratulations to Maryellen, Class 43 and husband Zach Zeise on the birth of their daughter Charley River on May 9. Maryellen is employed at Root Ag Advisory in Boise. 

Congratulations to Jace, Class 40, and spouse Micah Johnson on the birth of Poppy Day, on July 6. Poppy weighed 8 lbs and 15 oz. She will join five older brothers and sisters. Jace is employed at Mart Produce in Rupert.

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The 6th Annual LIA Golf Scramble was a tremendous success! Thanks to all who came down to tee it up at Canyon Springs Golf Course in Twin Falls on Friday June 9. We couldn't have done it without our presenting sponsors AgWest Farm Credit, Valley Wide Cooperative, Burks Tractor Co, Famous Idaho Potatoes (IPC), and all the hole sponsors!

Unique highlights included Fries on Fourteen with the McCain Foods and Idaho Potato Commission crew, as well as a fun Silent Auction item featuring customer golf balls with none other than Mr. Waitley’s face displayed. 

All in all we were able to raise a great amount of money for the LIA Foundation!
 
WINNERS:
1st Place - J.R. Simplot Company - Hosted by Andy Kaler, LIA Board of Trustees member
2nd Place- Grant 4-D Farms – Hosted by Brogan Parkin, Class 43
3rd Place - Basin Wide Water - Hosted by Corbin Knowles, Class 43

We will see you next year! Mark your calendars for Friday, June 7, 2024. 
 
Malia Miller, Class 36 & Nate McBride, Class 42, LIA Golf Scramble Co-Chairs

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Karma Metzler Fitzgerald, Class 41, is attending the Women Deliver Conference in Kigali, Rwanda this month (July). Karma is part of a delegation from Revolutionary Woman Global, a world-wide leadership development organization for women. While in Africa, Karma will meet with over 6000 women from around the world working on women’s issues and rural health care.

Taylor Grant, Class 35, has been nominated to serve on the Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE) board of directors. APRE is dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of the role potatoes play in promoting the health of all people. Taylor’s practical experience working at Grant 4-D Farms, serving on the Potatoes USA Board of Directors, and involvement in other industry specific roles will enhance work with other leaders to help advance APRE’s mission and the potato industry. 

Congratulations to Jim, Class 29, and his wife Kathy Miller. Their veterinary clinic in Moscow, Palouse Animal Wellness and Surgery Center, was named Small Business of the Month by Senator Jim Risch earlier this year. Senator Risch, member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship announced the recognition. Kathy is a graduate of WSU in the School of Veterinary medicine and Jim plays an important role at the clinic and has maintained his accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association for the past decade.


We are sending get well wishes to Pat Purdy, Class 30, who had hip replacement surgery on July 17. Pat is involved in production agriculture at Purdy Enterprises and Picabo Livestock Company. 

Travis Jones, Class 28, has been selected to serve as Executive Director of the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts (IASCD) in Idaho. Travis will be working with the 50 soil and water conservation districts throughout the state. Chairman of the IASCD board of directors is Devin Fielding, Class 40.  Travis is employed with the firm of Riley, Stegner and Associates in Boise. 

Dale Lish, Class 26, has recently been named interim director for the USDA Rural Development agency in Idaho. Dale has served as deputy director and has worked for Rural Development for the past 32 years. He is a graduate of Utah State University where he earned a BS in agriculture education and business. Dale currently resides in Blackfoot.

Recently two tours were held with Idaho Ag in the Classroom. Thanks to the following LIA Alumni who helped to educate the teachers in attendance about the role they play in Idaho agriculture: Jarom Jemmett, Class 39; Brad McIntyre, Class 29; Allison Jenkins, Class 43; Duane Grant, Class 2; Taylor Grant, Class 35; Nate McBride, Class 42; Blake Matthews, Class 36; Jace Johnson, Class 40; Leland Tiegs, Class 4; and Jason Thomas, Class 43.

Travis Lammers, Class 34, has recently been named to the Minidoka Fair Board and also to serve as assistant superintendent of the swine department at the county fair. Travis is employed by AgWest Farm Credit in Burley. 

Watch your email for information related to updating the 2023-2024 LIA Directory. We appreciate your quick response to our request for updated information.

Important Dates to remember:

• July 1 – renewal of annual membership dues for LIA. Renewal can be done online or watch the mail for the annual dues notice and form. We appreciate your continued support.
• August 1 - applications for LIA Class 44 are due in the LIA Office – reminder that this is a new online process now with the essay being a recording not a written document. Applications include two letters of recommendation.
• August 21-24 – LIA Congressional Aides Fact Finding Tour to be held in the Treasure Valley. More details to follow.
• November 12-17 – LIA State Exchange to Louisiana – contact Kendra Dustin, Development Director for details – kendra@amgidaho.com.
• February 21- LIA Annual Gala and Auction at Boise Centre.