Congratulations to Wyatt Prescott, LIA Affiliate Member and Christie Prescott, Class 33, who welcomed into the world Virgil Allen on April 1. Virgil weighed in at 8 lbs. 11 oz. and was 21" long. He joins siblings Gus and Agnes in the Prescott home. Wyatt says, "More help for the ranch!"
 
The May 15th Primary Election resulted in several wins for LIA Alumni: Rep. Caroline Troy, Class 15; Rep. Clark Kauffman, Class 13; Rep. Marc Gibbs, Class 4; Sen. Jim Patrick, Class 15; and Sen. Dan Johnson, Class 14. LIA Lifetime Member Laurie Lickley was successful in her bid for a seat in the Idaho House of Representatives District 25.  Roger Clark, Class 13, was successful in his bid for a county commissioner position in Jefferson County along with Leslie Van Beek, wife of Dale Van Beek, Class 10, for a commissioner race in Canyon County.
 
It is a small world. The first morning the LIA group was in Washington, D.C., who showed up at the same hotel in the breakfast area but Mark Compton, Class 23. Mark is the president of the Utah Mining Association and resides in Salt Lake City but still maintains homes in CDA and Idaho.
 
The American Sugarbeet Association is looking for a summer intern in Washington, D.C. Luther Markwart is one of the finest lobbyists you will meet in the D.C. ag circle and has many years on Capitol Hill. If anyone has a college student (Jr. or Sr.) that might be interested, contact the LIA office in Meridian and we will provide you with more details.
 
Congratulations to Kyra Povirk, Class 35, who has recently accepted the Salmon-Cobalt and Leadore District Ranger position. Kyra has been working as the BLM Challis Field Office Assistant Field Manager.
 
The LIA Trustees have received Laurie Lickley's resignation from the board of trustees of since her success on May 15. The board is working through a process of reducing the size of the LIA Board of Trustees and will not be looking to fill the position at this time.
 
Now is the time to review your entry in the LIA Alumni Directory! Please follow these simple steps to confirm or change your information:

1. Go to  www.leadershipidahoag.org/updates (password can be found in the email version of this LIA Brief or by contacting our office)
2. Click "View Draft Directory" and read your entry carefully.
3. If changes are needed, fill out the form on the webpage and submit it to our office. If your information is correct, send a direct email to lisa@amgidaho.com stating, "No changes."

 
Alumni Survey: As a result of the LIA strategic planning process, the alumni committee has been charged to develop a survey that asks some specific questions about continuing education for LIA alumni. You should anticipate seeing that survey in the near future. We look forward to your input and response.
 
Meals for the D.C. Experience last week were sponsored by the following: the Idaho Barley Commission, Administrator Kelly Olson, Class 16; Northwest Farm Credit Services, Idaho President Blair Wilson, Class 11; and the Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Association, Executive Director Mark Duffin, Class 22. Thanks to each organization for their support.
 
Be sure you have the date of July 9 on your calendar for the 2nd Annual LIA Golf Scramble at Blue Lakes Golf Course in Twin Falls. Registration is open and sponsorship opportunities are now available at www.leadershipidahoag.org/golf.
That evening, the Magic Valley Regional Event will be held - more details to follow. Regional events are being planned for the other areas in Idaho.
 
The LIA Board of Trustees has approved a new Mission Statement for the Foundation:
 
To educate and equip a network of leaders who advocate for Idaho agriculture.

Applications for LIA Class 39 are due on August 1. Now is the time to encourage friends, colleagues and family members to submit an application.

​Congratulations to Laura Wilder, Class 38, who has recently been named administrator of the Idaho Barley Commission. Laura will be filling the shoes of Kelly Olson, Class 16, who will be looking at some retirement opportunities early this summer. Laura has been serving as the executive director of the Idaho FFA Foundation.
 
Speaking of FFA, three LIA alumni conducted the training for the new Idaho State FFA officer team on April 16. Rick Waitley, Class 8, Benjamin Kelly, Class 29, and Kyra Gibson, Class 35, met with the six new state officers to jump-start their year of leadership for Idaho FFA.
 
Congratulations to Will Ricks, Class 27, who was elected president of the Idaho Hay and Forage Association and to Ben McIntyre, Class 29, who was elected vice president of the same association. Both are active hay and forage producers in their area.
 
Congratulations to Mark Zacharisen, Class 17, whose daughter, Amber, was recently married to Kolby Overstreet. Zach and his wife, Karen, reside in Colton, WA, where Zach is employed by CHS Primeland as an agronomist.
 
Jim Miller, Class 29, has had many changes in his life recently. Jim was named by the LIA Advisory Committee to fill a one-year position on the board of trustees formerly held by Nate Fowler, Class 33, who elected not to seek another term based upon his involvement in his job at Rock Harbor Church. Jim also was recently named as the director of development and capital project analyst for the University of Idaho College of Ag and Life Sciences. Jim and his wife, Kathy, live in Moscow where Jim will be employed. Jim has been at CHS Primeland for a number of years in a variety of positions.
 
Congratulations to Eric Odberg, Class 11, and his family who recently had their farm in Genesee, Idaho, named as a Century Farm. The farm has been in the same family since 1894. Eric currently grows wheat, barley, garbanzo beans and canola on 2,200 acres.
 
LIA Directory Update: Soon we will begin the process of updating of the LIA Alumni Directory. The directory is a great resource of information for members, alumni and friends who need to continue to build their network of LIA contacts. For the most part, the update is completed electronically. Thanks to those who always work to keep us informed of changes to their status and information.
 
Sympathy is extended to Megan Snyder, Class 38, on the recent passing of her grandmother.
 
The Snake River Stampede Calf Scramble Committee is provided excellent leadership by David Temple, Class 26, and his wife, Becky Temple, Class 29, who are joined with Craig Lindquist, Class 31, and his wife Robin Lindquist, Class 21. David Temple also serves as chairman of the Snake River Stampede Board of Directors.
 
The LIA Trustees met on Monday, April 30. At that time, the following decisions were made related to LIA operations: membership dues for 2018-2019 will be $50.00 per individual, $75.00 for couples if both have graduated from LIA, and lifetime memberships will be $1000.00 with the option of a payment plan still available.
 
Applications for LIA Class 39 are due by August 1. Tuition for the class is $2500.00 plus travel and lodging. Remember, applicants must reach their 26th birthday before the first session in Moscow in November. Applications are available online and from the office. Please help us to spread the word for an excellent pool of candidates for this year's class.