It is always sad for us to hear about the passing of LIA alumni. Recently, we learned that Mark McCollum, Class 19, and Steve Busby, Class 13, passed away this past year. Mark worked for JR Simplot Company and Steve worked for Rangen. Our thoughts and sympathy are extended to family and friends of both Mark and Steve.
 
INTERMOUNTAIN AG TECH CONFERENCE 2016:  The Department of Agriculture asked us to circulate information about the Intermountain Ag Tech Conference 2016, being sponsored in eastern Idaho on Tuesday, March 8. Attached is a flier with information about the program, items on the agenda, and registration. 
 
GO BRONCOS…No, not the Denver Super Bowl champs, but the Boise State University type! Laura Johnson, Class 11, has agreed to coordinate the BSU Basket for the Live Auction - and she needs all Bronco fans and graduates to help her with items for the basket. Please contact Laura at [email protected], or 208-867-6005, to donate items or to send money to help purchase more items for the BSU basket. She needs to hear from you now!
 
NOMINATIONS:   The LIA Board of Trustees has submitted the following slate of candidates to be voted on at the 2016 Annual Meeting, Thursday, February 18, at 11:00 AM, at the Red Lion Downtowner. I hope that you will be present to participate in the annual meeting.
 
Trustees
RoLynne Hendricks, Class 33 – Twin Falls (2nd term for 3-years)
Adam Duckett, Class 33 – Melba (2nd term for 3-years)
Kyle Woods, Class 32 – Boise (2nd term for 3 years)
Rosana Rieth, Class 36 – Challis (1st term for 3 years)
Randall Jayo, Class 35 – Twin Falls (1st term for 3 years)
Aric Frostenson, Class 35 – Twin Falls (1st term for 3 years)
 
Advisory Committee
Leah Clark, Class 26
Kip Dennis, Class 19
Adam Duckett, Class 33
Jim Lowe, Class 31
Julie Pipal, Class 18
Rob Troxel, Class 14
 
Officers
Jim Miller, Class 29, Chairman
Travis Jones, Class 28, Vice Chairman
RoLynne Hendricks, Class 33, Secretary/Treasurer
 
DESSERT AUCTION:  We need a total of 25 fancy desserts for the LIA Auction. If you are able to provide a special dessert for Wednesday evening, February 17, for the LIA Alumni Gala Dinner and Auction, please email Rick at [email protected].  
 
You won’t want to miss our BIG CELEBRATION on Wednesday evening, February 17! We are celebrating 30 years of Leadership Idaho Agriculture. What a great story for nearly 900 graduates over the years. Please complete the attached registration form and return it to our office ASAP.  See you there!

We are very thankful for LIA Board Chairman, Matt Gellings, Class 19!  Matt wrote on January 21:  “My life took an unexpected turn on Tuesday, January 19. I was snowmobiling with friends in the mountains above Alpine, Wyoming, and hit a big tree stump that was buried in the snow. The impact broke both of my legs below my knees. I was very lucky that the location of my accident was in an open area where the Life Flight chopper was able to land 100 ft. away. Both my Tibia and Fibula were broken on my left leg and were set with a rod and screws during three hours of surgery that night. It will be six weeks before I can put any weight on that leg.  The Tibia in my right leg was shattered and because of the swelling, they stabilized the leg and will do surgery on it next Friday. I will learn about life in a wheel chair in the next few days. I will be a resident of Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for the next ten days or so and then will experience life at home in a wheelchair. I am looking forward to seeing you in the future.”  Vice Chairman Debra Ausman, Class 19, will be assuming Matt’s responsibilities related to the Boise LIA events.

Congratulations to Representative Caroline Troy, Class 15, who was presented the “Friend of Industry” Award by the Idaho Cooperative Council, Inc., at the recent ICC/FFA Day on the Hill event in Boise. The award is presented each year to a Senator and a Representative.
Wedding bells will ring in June for LIA Trustee Alan Martinson, Class 27, who recently announced his engagement. Alan works as Latah County Weed Superintendent in Moscow.
Terrell Sorensen, Class 13, has left his position as Manager of Falls Irrigation in American Falls and is now working for U of I Extension as Power County Extension Educator. Terrell was elected recently to the Board of Directors for the Idaho Weed Control Association.
Congratulations to Mitch Whitmill, Class 31, who was presented the Idaho Weed Control Association Hall of Fame Award at their recent state convention in Boise. Mitch serves as the Jefferson County Weed Control Superintendent.

Dr. Chris McIntosh, Class 17, will be conducting his 16th tour for U of I Ag Econ students who visit Boise, January 31-February 3. Chris is an Ag Econ professor at U of I. The annual tour is sponsored by Food Producers of Idaho. Helping to coordinate the tour for the students were Benjamin Kelly, Class 29, and Jim Lowe, Class 31.

Rich Garber, Class 2, will depart his position as assistant to the Dean of the College of Ag and Life Sciences February 1 and assume the role of lobbyist for the Idaho Grain Producers Association.

The Annual Gold Room Workshop is sponsored by Idaho Council on Industry and the Environment. Pat Barclay, Class 16, serves as the ICIE Executive Director. This year the workshop is on the subject, “Fish Consumption” and the guest presenter is Greg Möller, Class 7, from the University of Idaho.

Congratulations to Jim Hudson, Class 34, who became President of Idaho Water Users at their recent state convention held in Boise in January. Jim is with Green Acres Irrigation Company in Rathdrum.