Congratulations to Launa Fowler, Class 32 and Nate Fowler, Class 33, proud new parents of Eva Joy Fowler born March 10th at 4:15pm, 7 lbs and 19.5" long.  Nate says, “Both mom and baby doing fantastic!” Editorial note: That must mean the baby is sleeping through the night.

Aaron Greenwell, Class 33 reports: “I have officially been selected to fill one of the seven positions on the Bannock County Fair Board for the next three years.  I am very excited for the opportunity to be part of this board and plan to use the opportunity to build and better the community.  I would like to thank you and the LIA program for the help and guidance to be a leader and I will continue to move forward always.” Congratulations Aaron on this new position!

 

Welcome to Wyatt Prescott, Executive Vice President of the Idaho Cattle Association in Boise. Wyatt has become an affiliate member of LIA. Wyatt graduated from the Arizona Leadership Program a few years ago before he returned to Idaho to take the IAC position. Wyatt is married to Christie (Bauscher), Class 33 and they are expecting their first child this summer.

 

Speaking of membership . . . congratulations to the following who received Lifetime Membership plaques at the Graduation of Class 34:  Aaron Greenwell, Class 33; Brian Parks, Class 16; Cindy Stark, Class 26; Allan Landon, Class 21; Jim Patrick, Class 15; Joe Stewart, Class 16; Edie Nunes, Class 32.

 

Congratulations to those who were presented ten-year continuous membership plaques on behalf of Leadership Idaho Agriculture:  Debra Ausman, Class 19; Bas Hargrove, Class 22; Chad Neeley, Class 19; Ken Burgess, Class 20; Reagon Hatch, Class 14; Mary Stuart, Class 22; Dale Dixon, Class 21; Ronda Hirnyck, Class 9; Cliff Tacke, Class 21; Steve Green, Class 21; Joe Kennedy, Class 21.

 

Participating in the LIA Washington, DC Experience this year will be the following:

            Neil Durrant, Class 34                           Rebecca Rutan, Class 33

            Adam Duckett, Class 33                        Jim Miller, Class 29

            Benjamin Kelly, Class 29                      Kendra Waitley, Class 32, LIA Fund Dev. Director

 

The group will be in Washington, DC, April 6-11.

 

The Go Lead Idaho organization launched an annual awards program to honor women who lead.  Julie Pipal, Class 18 was the inaugural recipient of The Brenda Maynard Walters Award, “Honoring those who keep their elbows down and reach their hands out - those good sisters who lead with collaborative spirit over divisiveness; who see the good in the hard task and the hard work; who are leaning in while letting others lean on them for support.”  Congratulations, Julie!  They selected an excellent recipient.

 

At the Idaho Ag Summit, one of the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Agriculture was awarded to Neil Rimbey, Class 11. Neil received the award in the area of “Environmental Stewardship”. Neil is currently employed by U of I as a Range Specialist.

 

Speaking of recognition . . . the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission celebrated 75 years of existence and as part of that celebration recognized legislators who have gone above and beyond in the promotion of soil and water conservation policy in Idaho. Three of those recognized included: Senator Jim Patrick, Class 15, Representative Steve Miller, Class 29 and former State Representative Ken Roberts, Class 14.

 

Michael Cooper, Class 14, after 37 years in the Plant Regulatory Field has decided to enter the retirement phase of life. Mike states: “I have very much enjoyed my time at ISDA and it is not without a lot of soul searching and self-reflection that I make this decision.”  March 31st is his final day with ISDA.  Congratulations, Michael!

Matt Mosman, Class 34 has been elected to the board of directors and as Vice President of Nezperce Prairie Grass Growers at their annual meeting in late January.

Representative Clark Kauffman, Class 34, was named Friend of the Industry by the Idaho Cooperative Council, Inc. at their annual ICC/FFA Cenarrusa Day on the Hill event in Boise.

Congratulations to Kendra Waitley, Class 32, who became engaged on Christmas Day to Glenn Dustin of Tennessee. Kendra relocated to Nashville in late February and will continue to operate her business K1 Events and Fundraising from that location. A summer 2014 wedding is planned in Tennessee.

Deepest sympathy is extended to Lisa Shively, Class 15, in the tragic loss of her son John in early February in a farm accident near their home in Terreton. John was also the nephew of Kim Korn, Class 14.

Congratulations to Senator Jim Patrick, Class 15, who received the Wayne Meyer Statesman Award at the Graduation of Class 34. Senator Patrick’s wife, Afton, was in attendance to observe the presentation of the award. Senator Patrick has been serving in the Idaho Legislature since 2006.

Representative Darrell Bolz, Class 7, has announced his retirement from the Legislature and that he will not be seeking another term. Rep. Bolz has served in the Idaho Legislature for a total of 14 years. This will be the second retirement for Darrell as he had retired from the U of I Extension system before running for the legislature.

Congratulations to Moya Shatz Dolsby, Class 30, and her husband Clint on the recent adoption of a son, Brighton who joined their home on Valentine's Day. Brighton was born February 9th weighing 6 lbs. 10 oz.  Moya stated “We couldn't be happier!”

Will Ricks, Class 27, was recently re-elected president of the Idaho Hay and Forage Association and Ben McIntyre, Class 29, was elected as Vice President. The organization held their annual meeting in Burley recently. Re-elected to the board for another term was Jim Blanksma, Class 13.

Congratulations to Nathan Riggers, Class 12, who was elected to the Northwest Farm Credit Board of Directors the end of February.

Thanks to Kyle Woods, Class 32 and Elli Brown, Class 32, who successfully led the committee through the 2014 LIA Auction. A new auction pinnacle was reached in the amount of $89,300. The funds are used for operations and scholarships for LIA future participants. Thanks to everyone who helped to make the auction such a success.

Congratulations to Matt Dorsey, Class 29, who was elected chairman of the LIA Board of Trustees at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Foundation. Officers serving with Matt will be Pat Purdy, Vice Chairman, Class 30 and Debra Ausman, Class 19, Secretary.

Washington DC Experience: April 6-11. We still have room to add a couple of more people to this opportunity. If you are interested please call Rick ASAP. We have scholarship funds available to assist you with the tuition. Talk to anyone who has attended – it is well worth the investment of time and energy.