LIA Briefs

Congratulations to Garth Heidel, Class 13, who retired from Crop Production Services after 43 years of service. Garth started when the company was Western Farm Services.
 
Congratulations to Adam Jensen, Class 32, for his promotion to Chief Credit Officer with Idaho AgCredit on January 1st. As the CCO he will oversee the administration of credit for AgCredit’s customers in 25 Idaho counties and 2 Wyoming counties.
 
Sympathy is extended to several in our LIA family:  

• Ron Jones, Class 2, in the passing of his father, Leslie Jones. Leslie lived and farmed in the Twin Falls area, passing away after 94 great years of life. He was an active leader in the community and served on several boards through the years.
• Josh Tewalt, Class 22, in the passing of his grandfather, Merle Hansen of Meridian. Merle spent his life farming and working for the U.S. Postal Service.
• Mark Pratt, Class 11, and Wendy Pratt, Class 35, in the passing of Mark’s grandmother on December 21.
• Dan Goicoechea, Class 16, in the passing of his father.
• Bernie Teunissen, Class 23, in the passing of his mother.

 
John Wright, Class 37, has accepted an offer to serve on the Idaho Dairy Products Commission. John is a dairyman in the Wendell area.
 
Congratulations to the following LIA Class 37 members selected by their class to speak before the Governor during the Boise Session:  John Wright, Wendell; Jen Uranga, Wilder; Jennifer Lux, Nezperce; Jeri Ahrens, Twin Falls; and Kirk Sehlmeyer, Sandpoint.
 
Sid Cellan, Class 32, had knee surgery just before Christmas, and is progressing well. Rich Garber, Class 2, had hip surgery in December. Glad both are on the mend!
 
Congratulations to Joe (Joseph R.) Anderson, Class 9, who recently married Leslie Larson, a friend from college days. Leslie graduated from Vallivue High School and is sister to Laura Wilder, whom many of you know through the FFA Foundation. The Andersons will make their home in Genesee where Joe farms.
 
Food Producers of Idaho announced Ag All Stars from the 2016 Legislature. LIA alumni receiving this honor included:  Rep. Caroline Troy, Class 15; Rep. Marc Gibbs, Class 4; Senator Dan Johnson, Class 14; Senator Jim Patrick, Class 15; and Rep. Clark Kauffman, Class 13. This award is based on their voting record on agriculture and natural resource issues before the legislature.
 
Todd Flick, Class 5, has announced his retirement from the seed industry and his plans to go full time into farming. Does that sound like a true retirement???
 
Many people watch the period reports on snow pack. However, some may not know that Ron Abramovich, Class 28, is the man reporting. Ron works for USDA-NRCS as a hydrologist. Thanks, Ron, for the moisture!
 
Congratulations to Jana Jones, Class 23, for her December 30 wedding to Steve Neiers in a beach ceremony in New Zealand. Jana is the Director of Economic Development Services for the Boise Valley Economic Development Partnership.
 
Congratulations to Rhett Spear, Class 37, on the birth of a son, Carter Rulon Spear, on January 9. We appreciate that Carter waited to enter the world until dad arrived home from the Twin Falls Session! Rhett reported that Carter and mom are doing great.