LIA Briefs

Congratulations to Matt Gellings, Class 19, who was named by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack as the new State Director of the Farm Service Agency for Idaho. Matt has been farming in the Idaho Falls area and serving on the State FSA Advisory Board for several years. He officially started his new position January 19. 

Congratulations to Debra Easterday Reeves, Class 41, who was recently elected to the Dairy West Board. Debra and her husband, Tim, own and operate a dairy in the Magic Valley. Debra will join Kim Korn, Class 14, who has been a member of the Dairy Products Commission for a number of years.

Congratulations to John Chatburn, Class 16 and a Lifetime LIA Member, who was recently appointed by Governor Brad Little to the Public Utilities Commission. John began his service on the Commission January 10. John had been serving as the Administrator of the Idaho Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources. 

Congratulations to Alex Reed, Class 35, who was recently appointed by Twin Falls County Commissioners to the Twin Falls County Planning and Zoning Commission. Alex farms in the Filer area and is active in the Twin Falls County Farm Bureau. 

​Several members of Class 42 were on hand at the Twin Falls City Council chambers the first of January to witness the declaration of election and the oath of office for Jason Brown, Class 42, as he became a new City Councilman.

Sympathy is extended to former LIA Board Chair RoLynne Hendricks, Class 33, on the recent passing of her father and active farmer in the Franklin County area.

Congratulations to Gabe Flick, Class 41, and Stephanie on the birth of their son, Lane, who arrived on Sunday, January 23. Gabe skipped the class orientation on Sunday evening for a very good and justifiable reason. Also, to the proud grandparents Todd Flick, Class 5, and his wife, Tonya. Gabe has recently relocated to a new farming operation near Ontario, OR.

Congratulations to Dan Mattson, Class 28, and his wife, Cynthia, who became grandparents of triplets on January 2. The trio arrived at 25 weeks. They were very small: Naomi James 1 lb 9 oz; Benjamin Hunter, 1lb 7 oz, and Collins Vivian, 1 lb 5 oz. Daughter-in-law, Shenia, and son, Tim, live in the Anchorage, Alaska area. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers as the babies grow. And just think, some of us had trouble naming a single baby – much less three at one time.

Congratulations to Adam Clark, Class 38, and his wife Kylee on the birth of Tinley Grace on December 27. Weighing in at 8 lb 8 oz and 20 inches long. Tinley joins three siblings. Proud Grandparents are Roger Clark, Class 13, and his wife, Ann. The Clarks farm and ranch in the Menan area.

Congratulations to Katie Mosman Wilson, Class 39, and her husband, Chris, on the birth of Evelyn Rose on November 30. Katie and Chris live in Grangeville, where Katie is the Program Coordinator and Agriculture Course Developer for Idaho Digital Learning Alliance. Cathy Mosman, Class 4, is enjoying the new role Evelyn has created in her life, as grandma. 

Clarification: Cole Riggers, Class 39, wrote to clarify from the December Brief: his daughter, Sheridan, won the calendar contest for this year. Daughter, Kylee, won the same contest several years ago and it was posted as a memory on Facebook. Our error. Those Riggers are talented young ladies to have two winners in the same family.

LIA alumni are getting physical repairs right and left. We are hearing good reports on Neil Rimbey, Class 11, who had a hip replacement around Christmas and Brent Reinke, Class 40, who had surgery to repair an ankle injury.

Special thanks to alumni members: Andy Kaler, LIA Trustee, Leah Clark, Class 26, Jarom Jemmett, Class 39, Wayne, Affiliate Lifetime Member, and his wife Peggy Thiessen, Dennis Merrick, Class 39, who volunteered to count and stuff grand prize tickets and flyers to mail to all LIA alumni. Many hands made light work for the big project of over 800 envelopes. They are well skilled in counting to five now.

Honored as Ag All Stars were LIA Alumni serving Legislators: Senator Jim Patrick, Class 15, Rep. Clark Kauffman, Class 13, and Representative Laurie Lickley, Affiliate Lifetime Member. A total of 14 legislators were honored at a banquet earlier this month sponsored by Food Producers of Idaho. Many LIA alumni were present to offer their congratulations.