It was exciting when Mark, Class 11, and Wendy, Class 35, Pratt’s daughter Anna announced her engagement and marriage to Cole Lickley, son of Bill, Class 25, and Laurie, Affiliate Member, Lickley. However, it did not even compare to the birth of Anna and Cole’s son, Lou Pratt Lickley, born July 25. Get in line to hold Lou if any of the grandparents are in proximity.

Congratulations to Karma Metzler Fitzgerald, Class 41, who was appointed by Governor Little to serve on the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism for a term 2022-2025. Karma is a candidate for the Idaho Legislature in District 26.

Neil Durrant, Class 34, and chairman of the LIA Board of Trustees has announced his candidacy for the Ada County Highway District. The election will take place in November. Neil is involved in the family farming operation Big D Ranches south of Meridian.

Congratulations to Jared, Class 40, and Amanda Ashcraft on the birth of Porter Jared Ashcraft, August 3, weighing in at 9 lbs and 12 oz and 20.5 inches long. Porter now makes the score 3 boys and 2 girls and Jared says “life is just one big party.”

Congratulations to Jessica Anderson, Class 41, recently named a finalist for the Boise Young Professionals Award. Jessica is employed at Amalgamated Sugar Company. 

Amber Brocke, Class 33, recently became engaged to Curt Cady. Curt works at Lewiston Orchard’s Irrigation District. The couple plan to marry in October. Amber is employed at USDA NRCS as an Area Resource Conservationist. 

Benjamin Kelly, Class 29, also announced his engagement in July. Benjamin will be marrying Rebecca Mann on October 14 in Laguna Beach, California where the couple plan to make their home. Rebecca is a Vice President for Western Union. Benjamin has been employed at AMG for the past 14 years. 

Congratulations to Chelicy, Class 40, and Derek Wanders on the birth of a son, Landon Allen Wanders on July 26. Landon weighed 8 lbs. and 3 oz. and was 21 inches long. He will be joining older sister Juliet.

Sympathy is extended to Tom Ritthaler, Class 40, on the recent passing of his father. Leo and his wife Mary were married for a total of 57 years.

Congratulations to Darcy Helmick, Class 32, and Cole Marney on the birth of Dorothy Mae “Dottie” Marney on Friday, August 5. Her arrival was 11 days after the due date, weighing in over 7 lbs. and 19.5 inches long, with plenty of dark black hair.

What born and raised farm girl would not want to hold her wedding in the center of a wheat field about to be harvested? That was the setting for Kathryn Hartman, Class 41, on July 30 when she married Justin Scott. Kathryn works for Idaho Water Users and Justin is operations manager for Brundage Bone, a concrete pumping company. The couple plan to make their home in Nampa.

Remember, July 1 started the new membership year. Now is the time to pay your annual or lifetime memberships to LIA. Also, it is important you update your information for the LIA Alumni Directory to be published later this summer.

Thanks to Treasure Valley LIA Alumni who attended the Regional Event BBQ at the home of Rick and Dorita Waitley on August 4. It was a great time of fellowship, food and hot weather.
 
NOTE: Due to the Congressional Aides Fact Finding Tour, the last week of August there will not be an LIA LINK call this month. See you in September. We hope Treasure Valley alumni will plan to join us for the tour the week of August 29-September 2. A more formal schedule and reservation form will be sent to you later this week.

Congratulations to Taylor, Class 35, and Lynae, Class 36, Grant, on the birth of Nora Olivia Grant born on July 22, 2022. Nora entered the world weighing 7 lbs. and 12 oz and is 21 inches long and joins older brother Denver. Proud Grandpa is Duane Grant, Class 2.

​We are late in receiving word that Victor Vasquez, Class 42, and his wife Jordana announced the arrival of Jordan Victor on May 5. Jordan joins two older brothers. Victor lives in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin where he is employed by Glanbia. Also, big news for Victor is that in May he completed his MBA through Boise State University and with his engagement in LIA Class 42, virtual classes, and raising an active family while maintaining a full-time job, he graduated with a 4.0 GPA.

Congratulations to Jillian Lux, daughter of Marty, Class 38, and Jen, Class 37, Lux who was recently presented a high school scholarship from Northwest Farm Credit Services. Jillian is planning to attend college at Arizona State University. Also receiving a NWFCS scholarship for a Land Grant University is Mackenzie Malson, daughter of Josh and Maggie, Class 39, Malson. Mackenzie will be attending the University of Idaho.

Chris Reed, Class 42, and his family have recently relocated from Idaho Falls to Manitoba, Canada where Chris is working on a special project for Cargill to expand Canola production. Chris anticipates the project to last for three years before he and his family return to Idaho.

On the Roots Africa Zoom call several LIA Alumni joined Cedric Nwafor, Honorary Member, and celebrated their graduation and success of the program. Cedric shared several Idaho stories and connections related to how Roots was originally started. Joining the call included: Brent Lawson, James Redmond, Andrea Mouw, Lacy Papageorge, all from Class 42. Also on the call were Nic Gibson, Class 37, Teri Murrison, Affiliate Member, Mark Zirschky, Class 32, Ron Jones, Class 2 and Rick Waitley, Class 8. On the call we learned Brent Lawson and James Redmond have served as mentors for folks in Uganda related to some agriculture projects.

Devin Fielding, Class 40, was recently elected secretary of the Idaho Hay and Forage Association Board of Directors. Devin farms near Shelley. Devin joins other LIA graduates on the board including Rick Pearson, Class, 21, Larry Hollifield, Class 41, Steve Hines, Class 31 and Will Ricks, Class 27, who serves as an LIA trustee and is president of the IHFA board of directors.

Blake Matthews, Class 36, was recently elected to the board of the Southern Idaho Potato Cooperative, Inc. Blake farms near Oakley and was also elected as secretary/treasurer at the reorganization session following the annual meeting.

Speaking of potatoes – congratulations to Mike Thornton, Class 12, who was named a lifetime member of the Potato Association of America during the organizations most recent meeting in MT. This is the highest award bestowed upon an individual by PAA. Mike is a professor of plant science at the U of I Parma R and E Center.

August 1 is the deadline for applications for LIA Class 43. This is the last year the tuition for the class will be $2700. If you know of production ag folks who are thinking about applying, please encourage them to have their information, application, essay and two letters of recommendation to us by the due date of August 1. Any other questions please direct to Rick Waitley at 208-888-0988.

DIRECTORY UPDATE: Please be sure you have submitted your personal update for the LIA 2022-2023 Directory. We are sending reminders periodically via Constant Contact. If you have not received the information about updating your information, please contact Brenda at brenda@amgidaho.com.