Dear LIA Alumni:

Congressman Mike Simpson
Thank you to those who participated on the March 2 Zoom call held with Second Congressional District Congressman Mike Simpson. He shared about his proposal to remove four dams on the Lower Snake River. During the presentation there were a number of questions from participants that were addressed by the Congressman. However, there was not time in the allocated hour for all questions to be addressed. Attached are the questions and the responses from the Congressman or his staff.

LINK Call for March
Due to Spring Break and availability of presenters, we will be moving the March LINK call from the last Thursday of the month, March 25 to April 1, the first Thursday of April. Our plan is to have the following featured presentations:
 
Update on COVID Related Issues – Doug Robison, Class 29, President, Northwest Farm Credit Services
Report on the 2021 Idaho Legislative Session – LIA Alumni serving in the Idaho Legislature
 
The call will be held Thursday, April 1 – 9:00 AM (MT). More details to follow.

 
LIA Gala and Auction
Thanks to everyone who played a role in helping the first ever virtual LIA Gala and Auction be such a wonderful success. The goal of the evening was set at $75,000 and in the end, Development Director Kendra Dustin, Class 32, reported that over $120,000 was raised for ongoing programs and support of LIA. You did an outstanding job.
 
Special congratulations to our raffle winners:
Grand Prize Kubota – Scott Brown
Grand Prize Trip – Kerry Salutregui
Class Prize – Kara Hurst, Class 30
Card Game – Charlie Bryan, Class 10

 
Special Recognition
The Boise Session for Class 41 has been scheduled for January 24-28. This date was selected in anticipation that the 2022 Idaho Legislature will operate under a more normal set of conditions to allow the class to experience the week in Boise that deals with public policy. That being said, recognition of the 10-year alumni members and Lifetime Members has been put off until that time. However, we decided to go ahead and mail the plaques to each of these individuals receiving this honor so they can have their award to display and share. Those who would have received this honor at the LIA Graduation include the following:

Congratulations to Karma Metzler Fitzgerald, Class 41, who was sworn in as a Fire Commissioner for the Shoshone City and Rural Fire Protection District on Monday, March 8. She is representing Sub District 1. Karma is active in several community activities, so this is one more important role for her to fill.

Congratulations to Patxi Larrocea-Phillips, Class 41 and his wife, Alex, on the birth of their daughter Amaia Lou Phillips born on March 7 weighing 9 lbs. 2 oz. and 20.5” long. Patxi is employed at Association Management Group, Sawtooth Law and works on the family ranch in Star. The proud grandparents are Frank “Flip” Phillips, Class 3 and Susi Larrocea, Class 4. Flip and Susi own and operate Phillips Cattle Company near Star.

Congratulations to Dan Safford, Class 28, who retired on February 26 from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture after 28 years of working for the Department. Dan has served 16 years on the board for the Idaho Hay and Forage Association. Dan specifically worked in the Plant Division of ISDA and has been responsible for several special programs through the years.

John Zietz, Class 34, Cargill Agricultural Supply Chain – North America has recently been re-elected Secretary/Treasurer of the National Sunflower Association. John is based out of Minnesota.

Sympathy is extended to Matt, Class 29, and Kristie, Class 35, Dorsey on the recent passing of Matt’s mother, Dana Lee Dorsey on February 10. Matt and Kristie are engaged in a farming operation near Caldwell and Kristie teaches at Homedale High School.

​Class 41 – held their Idaho Falls Session the last week of February since that was the week they were scheduled for the Boise Session and they had the week clear in their calendar. The class is in Twin Falls this week, March 8-12, for their Twin Falls Session which was to have been in early January. Plans are to have the Boise session the third week of January 2022 in hopes that the legislature has returned to a more normal mode of operation.

Thanks to Alumni members who stepped forward to be speech coaches for the Idaho Falls Session: Mark Pratt, Class 11; Logan Schmidt, Class 37; Derek Reed, Class 31; Janice Stimpson, Class 17; Malia Miller, Class 36 and Kyle Wangemann, Class 36.

The LIA Virtual Auction was a great success. When the decision was made for the auction to be virtual, the Board of Trustees reduced the goal of the auction to $75,000. To date, the auction has surpassed $117,000 in income. Thanks to everyone who donated, supported, and helped transport items and supplies to make the auction a success. The network of LIA paid off big time in all of the support and cooperation.

Congratulations to LIA Class 40. When they learned that fellow classmate Chelicy Wanders had some complications with the birth of a baby and that she and Derek were living at the Ronald McDonald House in Boise, the class went to work planning a strategy. In the end, the class generated just under $600 that was sent to the Wanders to help with meals and expenses while they continue to care for Juliet. Here is an update from Chelicy: “We are currently in the Nampa NICU and working on her feedings. She must be able to eat 80% of her total bottle feedings to get her feeding tube out and when that is completed it is the last step in getting her home. Her breathing has finally evened out and she has been doing great with that! We are hoping and praying to get her out by her due date which is March 4th.” Juliet was born on January 18 weighing only 4lbs 7 oz. We are all thrilled with the great report.