IT’S OFFICIAL!
The LIA Washington, D.C., Experience for 2017 will be September 24-29 (Sunday – Friday). If you want more information (CLICK HERE) or would like to be placed on the list of those considering participation, please contact Rick Waitley at rick@amgidaho.com or 208-888-0988.

Sympathy is extended to the family of Ray Gross, Class 15, who passed away on March 17 after a courageous battle with cancer. Memorial services were held on Saturday, March 25.
 
Sympathy is also extended to Randall Jayo, Class 35, in the passing of his 44 year old brother. His brother farmed in the Glenns Ferry area.
 
Rochelle Oxarango, Class 12, was recently re-appointed to the U.S. BLM - Boise District Resource Advisory Council.
 
Congratulations to Moya Dolsby, Class 30, who has been named Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Boise Convention Visitors Bureau. Moya is the Executive Director of the Idaho Wine Commission.
 
As of April 1, the Idaho Onion Growers’ Association (IOGA) will move their administrative services to Association Management Group and Rick Waitley, Class 8, will become the Executive Director. Assisting Rick with the work of the association will be Benjamin Kelly, Class 29. Several LIA alumni are involved with IOGA.
 
Plan now to attend the LIA Golf Tournament (MORE INFO HERE) to be held in Twin Falls on Monday, July 10, at the Blue Lakes Country Club. A committee chaired by Edie Nunes, Class 32, has planned an excellent event for those who enjoy golf, including an evening banquet. More details to follow!

The Department of Ag Economics and Rural Sociology has recognized Chris McIntosh, Class 17, with the R.M. Wade Excellence in Teaching Award, and Aaron J. Johnson, Class 34, with the honor of being named Outstanding Academic Advisor.
Congratulations to Leland Tiegs, Class 4, who was recently appointed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter to the Idaho Alfalfa and Clover Seed Commission. Leland represents the alfalfa and clover seed growers in Idaho on the National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance Board of Directors – a national organization working on hay and forage issues across the U.S.
 
LIA GOVERNANCE
A new procedure will be used to elect individuals to the LIA Board of Trustees. In the past, this election has been held at the annual meeting. The Board of Trustees determined that, due to low attendance over the years, the annual meeting was not a representative voice of the alumni members (those paying dues). This year, dues paying members (Lifetime and yearly) will be provided a slate of officers, advisory board members, and trustees. The annual election cycle has also been changed to align with the fiscal year, July 1 – June 30. We anticipate ballots being sent to members in late May, to be returned before the end of June. 
 
Names on the ballot of those who are eligible for a second term include: Laurie Lickley, Affiliate Member; Jim Lowe, Class 31; and Blake Matthews, Class 36. Rob Troxel, Class 14, is leaving the board after serving one term.
 
THANK YOU to those trustees whose terms will be expiring:  Jim Miller, Class 29; Leah Clark, Class 26; Allan Landon, Class 21; and Karleen Meyer, Affiliate Member.

Congratulations to Cathy Ford, Class 26, who was elected chairman of the Idaho Weed Coordinating Committee. The committee is made up of private, state and federal land managers and agencies.  Cathy represents the Idaho Department of Transportation.
 
Speaker of the House Scott Bedke has appointed State Representative Clark Kauffman, Class 13, as a member of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs. Kauffman is from Filer and is known by many LIA alumni as the "Kauffman Hearty Barley Soup farmer."
 
Bob Evans, Class 32, has been named operating manager at Obendorf Hop Farms near Wilder. Bob has been employed with Simplot as their farm manager of the Caldwell operation for a number of years.
 
Wedding bells rang recently for Joe Anderson, Class 9. Joe and his wife, Leslie, will continue their farming operation in the Genesee area in north Idaho. Joe is a member of the Idaho Wheat Commission.
 
Jana Jones Neiers, Class 23, has recently accepted a position with the University of Idaho in economic development. Jana has been an intricate part of the team at the Boise Valley Economic Partnership for the past 10 years. She will continue to reside in the Treasure Valley.
 
Bob Hays, Class 28, has recently stepped down as chairman of the Meridian Cemetery District. Bob's replacement on the Board of Directors is Dean Langley, Class 9. Dean and his wife, Julia, recently returned from a mission assignment in Ireland.