Congratulations to Drew Adams, Class 40, who took the opportunity to announce his engagement to Cheyenne Lobato for the first time publicly at the Magic Valley Regional Event. Cheyenne was present for the big announcement. A wedding is planned for next year.
 
Greg Gipson, Class 40, was recently nominated for the position of President of the Payette River Cattlemen's Association. Greg is employed by Agri Beef and has his own cattle operation near Emmett.
 
Sympathy is extended to Tom Limbaugh, Class 7, whose Mother passed away recently. Tom works for the Idaho Industrial Commission.
 
At the recent Idaho Noxious Weed Conference, Carol Randall, Class 21, was inducted into the INWCA Hall of Fame recognized for her efforts to control noxious weeds in the North Idaho panhandle. Carol is employed by the US Forest Service and based out of CDA. The award to Carol was presented by Alan Martinson, Class 27.
 
John Wright, Class 37, was recently named the project coordinator of the Center for Food and Agriculture (CAFÉ) to be built in the Magic Valley by the University of Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. John recently retired from his own dairy operation and saw this as a great opportunity to remain involved with the dairy industry.
 
At a recent meeting of the Idaho Ag in the Classroom Association board of directors the following were elected as officers for the coming year: Heidi Martin, Class 28, as President, Heidi works for Dairy West, Brad Griff, Class 36, as Vice President, Brad is Executive Director of the Idaho Sugarbeet Association and Stephanie Duckett, Class 40, as Secretary/Treasurer, Stephanie is involved with her husband Adam Duckett, Class 33, on the families farming and ranching operation near Melba. The board oversees the statewide program of instruction for teachers to help students learn about agriculture and natural resources issues K-12th grade.
 
Benjamin Kelly, Class 29, who serves as Executive Director of the Nezperce Prairie Grass Growers Association announced that a new award has been established to recognize grass seed producers into the NPGGA Hall of Fame for their efforts on behalf of the grass seed industry. The award will be in honor of David Mosman, Class 12, past president of the organization and a leader in the grass seed industry through the years. Dave's wife Cathy Mosman, Class 4, was on hand with other family members to receive the award establishing the recognition.
 
Representative Caroline Troy, Class 15, has provided the leadership to create a new Agriculture and Natural Resource Issues Caucus inside the Idaho legislature. The purpose of the caucus is to create an environment for discussion by legislators of issues important to rural Idaho.
 
Treasure Valley LIA Alumni need to be aware of the Regional Event that will take place on Monday evening, February 24 at 6:30 PM. The event will be held at Peterson Dodge, Ram and Jeep showroom located off Garrity Blvd in Nampa. A catered meal is planned and details will follow. This is a great event for the entire family and an opportunity to invite potential participants in LIA.
 
We are asking for 40 fancy desserts for the LIA Dessert Auction at the LIA Gala Dinner and Auction on February 27. If you are available to provide a "Fancy Dessert" for this event please contact Rick at rick@amgidaho.com.
 
Remember: You can secure and purchase Grand Prize tickets ONLINE HERE.
 
You may be greeted by a new voice when you call the LIA office for some of the upcoming events. That would be Gloria Merriam. Gloria joined the AMG staff in early January. She and her husband have re-located to the Treasure Valley from Modesto, CA, where they were involved in a family dairy operation.
 
Remember: Washington, DC Experience - happening May 10-15. Call today if you are interested in having your name placed on the potential list to attend.
 
You may or may not know that Idaho Beef Council has been the sponsor of Regional Events for LIA Class 40. At each of the four events, a new beef recipe has been featured as the main entrée with recipe cards available for that specific entrée at the event. Many thanks to Idaho beef producers and the Council for their support. Two LIA alumni are members of the Idaho Beef Council. Bill Likely, Class 25, serves as Vice President of the Council and Willie Bokma, Class 37, serves as a board member representing the dairy industry.

Congratulations to Linda Rider, Class 22, recently appointed to the newly formed Idaho Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee. Linda will be representing Region 5 of the Idaho Farm Bureau. Linda was also recently appointed to the Kootenai County Natural Resources Advisory Committee. Linda is currently serving as an LIA Trustee.
 
Congratulations to Jarom Jemmett, Class 39, recently elected as Vice President for the Board of Directors of the Idaho Onion Growers' Association. Jarom is engaged in the family farm in Parma.
 
Congratulations to Gretchen Hyde, Class 36, who recently completed her Master's Degree from the University of Idaho. Gretchen continues to serve as Administrator of the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission.
 
Thanks for the service of Jeff Groat, Class 13, and his wife Kristine who have accepted a call as Military Relations Missionaries. Jeff will have responsibilities to watch over families of deployed service members and assist Chaplains with service projects and other activities for the benefit of those in the military. Jeff retired a few years ago from USDA Farm Service Agency and has been working in this area of the military for the past two decades.
 
Congratulations to Neil Durrant, Class 34, who was recently elected President of Ada County Farm Bureau. Neil is involved in a number of family enterprises through Big D Ranch and also serves as an LIA Trustee and co-chairman of the LIA Auction Committee.
 
Mike Meyers, Class 40, became a grandfather of his second grandson born on December 7, following the Pocatello Session. The young man weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 20 inches long. Mike works as Deputy Watermaster for Water District #63 in Star.
 
Congratulations to Jason Azzarito, Class 38, and his wife, Rachel on the birth of a son, Franklin Dean, on Thursday, January 2, 2020. Jason is employed at BLM in Boise.
 
Congratulations to Mike Larsen, Class 28, who is currently serving a three year term as a board member for Potatoes USA. Mike is currently General Manager of Mart Potato LLC in Rupert.
 
News from Washington, DC. Cedric and Yefon Nwafor are awaiting the birth of their little girl. If the baby has not arrived by Wednesday, January 8 the doctor plans to induce Yefon for the birth. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family through these exciting times.
 
Sympathy is extended to Kasey Garrett, Class 28, in the recent passing of his Grandfather. Kasey owns Aqua Irrigation in the Treasure Valley.
 
Congratulations to Audra Cochran, Class 39, who has accepted a position as Associate Extension Educator for UI Extension Forestry. Audra, will be joining Randy Brooks, Class 16, who is also an Extension Forester.
 
You will want to plan to be in Boise for the 2020 LIA Alumni Gala and Auction on Thursday, February 27. Watch for more details as they come your way. Also, Graduation for Class 40 the following day will include special recognition of the 1,000th graduate of the LIA program. You will want to be on hand for this significant event to celebrate the success of the program.