Congratulations to Jim and Doris Pearson, parents of Rick Pearson, Class 21, who received the Idaho Farm Bureau’s highest honor on December 8 – The President’s Cup Award. The Pearson’s owned and operated a dairy near Buhl, retiring last year. The award is presented to individuals who have committed themselves to the organization.

Congratulations to Blake, Class 36, and Val Matthews on the birth of daughter Rylee Clair on December 21. Rylee entered the world weighing 9 lbs 4 oz and 21 1/2 in long. She arrived in time to see Grandpa Scott Bedke sworn in as Lt. Governor. The Matthews now have two girls and two boys. 

Congratulations to Randall Jayo, Class 35, who recently retired from a career with BLM. Randall says it is an adjustment but he thinks he is going to enjoy the new gig. Randall was based in Twin Falls. 

Congratulations to Laura Wilder, Class 38, and her husband Steve who were named by the Idaho Ag in the Classroom Association as Advocates for Agriculture at the 2022 Annual Meeting. Presenting and also receiving the same honor was Lori Idsinga, Class 43, with the Idaho FFA Association, Lori spoke on the role of the FFA in building career awareness among their members at the meeting.

At the 2022 Ag in the Classroom Annual Meeting, reelected to the board for another term were Ann Jacops, Class 31, and Stephanie Duckett, Class 40. Newly elected to serve on the board of directors was Audra Cochran, Class 39 and Derek Gerratt, Class 42. Samantha Parrott, spouse of Stephen Parrott, Class 39, was also elected to the AITC board. Samantha serves as Executive Director of Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Assn. The program oversees agricultural literacy education in K – 12 grades throughout Idaho. 

Congratulations to Lori Satterwhite-Turner, Class 36 who recently completed her Master’s Degree in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho and graduated in December 2022. In November, Lori became a new grandmother to Jack Walker, born to son Broc and wife Jenna Draney. With the completion of her Master’s Degree, Lori’s title at Simplot Land and Livestock changed to Natural Resource Specialist. She also chairs the Shoshone Basin Rangeland Fire Protection Assn. and is president of the PEO Chapter AH in Filer. Needless to say, Lori’s life is busy. 

Speaking of Simplot Land and Livestock, Darcy Helmick, Class 32, Land Manager sent the following announcement: We have posted our job for a rangeland monitoring specialist.https://careers.simplot.com/job-invite/11995/

Joel Wasem, Class 38, recently updated LIA on his life. Joel has been with CHS Primeland for a number of years and farming roughly 65 acres for a neighbor on the side. The neighbor offered him an additional 750 acres and Joel was having trouble balancing his responsibilities at CHS and farming. In the process he was approached by Bell Equipment, the local John Deere dealership, who offered him a position in equipment sales. Joel will specialize in precision ag products, new and upcoming farming practices, big iron sales and more. Joel lives in the Grangeville area.

ISDA Director Celia Gould recently announced her retirement. Her successor is Chanel Tewalt, wife of Josh Tewalt, Class 22, who has been serving as Deputy Director. Josh serves as the Director of the Idaho Department of Corrections.

Have you seen the new LIA 2022-2023 Directory or the Annual Report? If not, it might mean you have not paid your annual or Lifetime membership dues. Contact Patty at patty@amgidaho.com or go online at www.leadershipidahoag.org to update your membership. We will gladly send you your seal, certificate, annual report and current directory.

Congratulations to Gretchen Hyde, Class 36, who became a proud Grandma to Farrah, born to son Drew and his wife the middle of November. Gretchen is the Executive Director of the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission.

Devin Fielding, Class 40, was recently elected as president of the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts at their annual meeting in Burley in mid-November. Also re-elected to the board and to the office of Treasurer was Richard Kunau, Class 29. Devin farms near Shelley and Richard farms near Burley. There are 50 Soil and Water Conservation Districts throughout the state led by this organization.

Sympathy is extended to Alex, Class 35, and Leah Reed, Class 40, on the passing of Alex’s dad, Rex on November 30. Rex and now Alex farm in the Filer area.

Steve Miller, Class 29, was elected in November to the Idaho Legislature from District 24. This is the second time Steve has served as a State Legislator. Last week, Steve was elected vice-chairman of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee.

Congratulations to Kendra Dustin, Class 32, who was recently inducted into the Trinity Pines Founder’s Club. Kendra serves Trinity Pines as the grant writer and has been successful in securing several grants for the camp located in Cascade.

Megan Paez, Class 35, recently reported Cargill sold their canola and seed production operation in Idaho to BASF. Megan recently accepted a role inside Cargill working on their sustainability team. Her new title is Sustainability Product Manager where she will focus on regenerative agriculture programs and platforms. She will be working remotely from Idaho Falls allowing her more time with her family.

Congratulations to John Bohman, Class 30, who was elected a County Commissioner for Latah County on November 8. John farms in the Troy area under the name of Ridgeview Farms.

Yarn Update: For many years, LIA alumni have assisted with the delivery of newborn caps or blankets to hospitals in Sandpoint, Grangeville, Moscow, Cottonwood, Twin Falls and even in Boise. These items are knitted by a group of Boise ladies who provide these to the various hospital maternity wards. Recently, we learned many of those who knit are on a fixed income and have trouble purchasing yarn. We asked for a further explanation of their needs (#3 acrylic baby yarn for the caps and #4 acrylic yarn for the blankets.) If you would like to donate to this effort to raise money to purchase yarn mark your donation “Yarn Project” and mail it to the LIA office. If you have access to yarn meeting these qualifications in any color it would be welcomed. You can bring it to a Regional Event or you can mail it to the LIA office. These are talented seniors who give of their time and we are saving them mailing costs with the LIA network of folks helping deliver items. Help in purchasing yarn would be a great benefit.

Thursday, December 15 at 9:00 will be the next LIA Alumni LINK call. Featured on the call will be Doug Robison, Class 29, Idaho President of Northwest Farm Credit Services for a Global Update. We will also be hearing from several who attended the LIA first State Exchange to Kentucky at the end of October and a special presentation by Cedric on Roots Africa.

Now is the time to think about donating items to the annual LIA Gala and Auction held on Wednesday, February 22 at the Boise Centre. This year a special LIA alumni pre-reception will be taking place the night of the auction. Watch for additional details as we move closer to this annual event.

Thanks for asking. The pro/con subject for LIA Class 43 is “Green Energy – Friend or Foe.” The class heard a presentation in the Moscow Session from Avista to kick off the discussion. The final chapter will take place Friday morning, February 24 prior to the graduation ceremony in Boise with a panel discussion. The panel discussion is open to the public to attend.

The 2022-2023 Directory has finally arrived, we anticipate the 2021-2022 Annual Report later this week. Both documents will be mailed to lifetime and annual members current in their payment of dues since July 1, 2022. We have been held up with supply chain and printing issues. We hope you find both documents to be informative and of value. If your dues are not current, you may make a payment online at www.leadershipidahoag.org and to receive your directory and annual report.