Several alumni gathered in Moscow to celebrate Jim Miller, Class 29, being presented the U of I CALS Distinguished Alumni Award the end of October. Jim started his career at CHS Primeland, then served at CALS working on special projects. One of those being the large dairy project CAFÉ in the Magic Valley. Jim is now employed in the family business - Palouse Animal Wellness & Surgery Center (PAWS) owned by his wife Kathy, the lead veterinarian.

Congratulations to Michelle Gooding, Class 38, who has recently announced she will be married to Brandon Babiola on November 26 in McCall, Idaho. Michelle works in the family hop operation, Gooding Farms.

Brenda Thomasson, Class 19, has accepted a position at the US Post Office in Nampa. Brenda has worked at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture for 30 years. In Brenda’s words, “it is time to retire and to move on to my next adventure.”

Kendra Dustin, Class 32, was recently recognized at the annual meeting of International Association of Programs for Agricultural Leadership (IAPAL) held in Ottawa, Canada in late October. Kendra received the Outstanding IAPAL Program Support Award. The plaque was inscribed as follows: This award recognizes the impact Kendra, LIA Class 32, has made in advancing agricultural leadership across Idaho. Thank you for your professionalism and outstanding service in your position. The award came as a complete surprise and Kendra was unable to be in attendance due to preparation and travel for the Kentucky State Exchange. The award was presented to Kendra in Kentucky by Dr. Steve Issacs, co-director of the Kentucky Agriculture Leadership Program (KALP).

Connor Lankford, Class 41, and his wife Whitney welcomed Liam on October 4. He joins siblings Tucker (6) and Emery (3). Connor is employed at Valley Agronomics as a Precision Ag Manager.

Phil Kaufman, Class 36, and his wife Jeanene were excited to welcome newborn son Owen Fredrick Kaufman, on October 6 weighing 9lbs and 13 oz. Big brother James calls him Baby Farmer. The Kaufman’s now have three sons.

Bryce Durrant, Class 39, and his wife Carly welcomed a second son, Beau Landon, on October 15 weighing in at 7lbs and 9 oz. and 21” long. Bryce is employed in the family business Big D Farms near Kuna.

Sympathy is extended to Kathie and Dan Pinther, Class 30, on the loss of his father-in-law, Ken Roth, 95, who lived in Twin Falls after his retirement from the JR Simplot Company. Dan also announced his retirement from Brandt Consolidated at the end of 2022. He has worked 46 years in the industry and will continue to work part-time, while also spending more time with grandchildren.

Sympathy is extended to Kim O’Neill, Class 27, on the recent passing of her mother. Kim is employed at Western Washington University in Bellingham and serves as Vice President of Advancement. 

Idaho Agriculture lost a great leader in the passing of Terry Ketterling, Class 9, on October 22. Terry was the father of Launa Fowler, Class 32, and father-in-law to Nate Fowler, Class 33, and father to Tony Ketterling, Class 31. Terry and his wife Linda built TLK dairy and farms near Mountain Home. Many LIA alumni were present for the memorial service at Mountain Home High School. Terry was a founder of Snake River Sugar Company where he also served as President of the Board of Directors.

LIA Alumni LINK Calls have traditionally been held the last Thursday of each month. However, in August we were hosting the Congressional Aides Tour, in September we had complications with presenters’ schedules, in October we were traveling with the Kentucky State Exchange, November is Thanksgiving and December is Christmas. The Board of Trustees, on recommendation from the Alumni Relations Committee, agreed to hold LINK Calls at any time and not on a specific day of each month. We are lining up speakers and anticipate having one in the near future. Thanks for your patience while we work through this new format. We know many of you have called the office and we appreciate your patience as we reset our format.

Many of you have participated in delivering 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. For many years, LIA alumni have assisted with the delivery of these items. We are taking a load with us to the Moscow session to be distributed to hospitals along the way. 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 that meets these qualifications in any color it would be welcomed. You can bring it to a Regional Event this fall or you can mail it to the LIA office. These are talented seniors who give of their time and saving them mailing costs with the LIA network or folks helping and now to help purchase yarn would be a great benefit.

Calling all LIA Alumni. If you would like to serve on the LIA Auction or Golf Committee please send a note to Rick Waitley and let him know. The Auction Committee is starting their preliminary work on the 2023 event to be held on Wednesday, February 22 in Boise. The golf tournament will be held in Twin Falls in June of 2023. We look forward to hearing from you.

Congratulations to Monica, Class 42, and Kody, Class 43, Youree and Joe Harper, Class 26, who were named Featured Farm Families at Twin Falls County Fair. You can find the other winners and write ups about each at:
https://www.foodproducersofidaho.org/featured-farm-families.html

Jerry Neufeld, Class 19, recently announced his retirement from U of I Extension effective October 31, 2022. Jerry has been located in Canyon County for the past 23 years and spent 11 years prior to that working in Nevada also for extension. Jerry has served in the area of crop science. 

James Boggan, Class 40, recently left Simplot Land and Livestock where he was Rangeland Monitoring Specialist, to return to the family farm in Riggins and will also be serving as the Ag Teacher at the Salmon River School District High School located in Riggins. 
 
Congratulations to Kevin Osborn, Class 33, elected as President of the Idaho Eastern Oregon Seed Association at their summer meeting. Kevin is employed at Allied Seeds. 

Congratulations to Matt, Class 29, and Kristie, Class 35, Dorsey whose oldest son Wyatt was recently married.
 
Congratulations to Bill, Class 25, and Laurie, Affiliate Member, Lickley on the recent marriage of their daughter Valene to John Cauhorn.
 
Congratulations to Flip Phillips, Class 3, and Susi Larrocea, Class 4, on the marriage of their daughter, Argia to Jake Berard on September 24. Brother, Patxi Larrocea Phillips, Class 41, officiated the ceremony.
 
Congratulations to Cedric Nwafor, Honorary Alumni Member, and wife Yefon on the birth of their second daughter, Zuri, August 19 weighing 8 pounds and 2.2 oz. Zuri joins older sister Kelani.
 
Sympathy is extended to Terry Ketterling, Class 9, on the passing of his mother Nancy Ann Ketterling. Also, to Tony Ketterling, Class 31, and Launa Fowler, Class 32, grandchildren of Nancy.
 
Sympathy sent to Shawn Boyle, Class 41, and his family on the recent passing of his father Terry Boyle.
 
Sympathy sent to Ron Jones, Class 2, and his wife Carol on the recent passing of Carol’s mother Eunice Pearson at the age of 92 who resided in Twin Falls.
 
Sympathy is extended to Mandi Thompson, Class 19, on the recent passing of her father, Don Johnson.

Selection of LIA Class 43: We are off and running with LIA Class 43. Click the button below to see the listing of those who have been selected. Orientation will happen for most of the class the first week of October. If you are interested in financially supporting any member of the class, please let the LIA office know.

Interested in serving on the Auction Committee? The LIA Auction Committee is beginning the process of planning for the 2023 event in February. If you would like to join the Auction Committee, please submit your name to rick@amgidaho.com and we will add you to the committee.
 
REMEMBER: Dues for 2022-2023 are payable now. Call Patty at 208-888-0988 to pay over the phone or go online and fill out the dues form. This is for annual or lifetime dues.
 
Information for the 2022-2023 LIA Alumni Directory is due NOW so we can get your current information updated for the new directory to be produced later this fall.