Congratulations to Nikki Betts, Class 39, who recently received a promotion and tenure status as an assistant professor for U of I CALS. Nikki is a county extension educator and lives in Pocatello.
 
Scott Blake, Class 11, and co-chairman for Class 12 was recognized by the Nezperce Prairie Grass Growers Association for his outstanding service to the grass seed industry at their annual meeting. Scott was presented the David R. Mosman NPGGA Hall of Fame Award. David was a graduate of Class 12.
 
If you see Terry Jones, Class 21, don’t be surprised if he is still bragging about his grandson, Adam Jones. Adam was recently elected Student Body President for BSU. Terry is still engaged with the family dairy operation in Emmett.
 
Elections were held recently for the Idaho Onion Growers’ Association and Jarom Jemmett, Class 39, was elected as President and Brennan Gabiola-Harris, Class 32, was elected Vice President of the Board of Directors. 

Congratulations to Mark Ricks, Class 11, who was inducted into the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame. Mark has been a leader in conservation practices providing irrigation to thousands of acres in western Teton County. Mark farms over 2800 acres. He has also been very active in maintaining the Teton Seed Management Area in Teton and Madison Counties providing quality potato seed to growers in the region. Mark is a former Madison County Commissioner and very involved with youth activities in his community. Mark was one of five presented the award.

Gary Bahr, Class 25, sent a recent update. Gary is working as the Science Liaison on the Washington State Department of Agriculture Director’s Office Policy Team. He handles many agricultural and natural resource topics and legislative analysis. His job includes being a liaison to the Governor’s office, other state and federal agencies and commodity groups in WA. Gary resides in Olympia.
 
Audra Cochran, Class 39, recently announced on May 1 she will be starting a new career as the Extension Educator in Lewis County. Audra has been working for the U of I as an Associate Forestry Educator. She and her husband Casey reside in Moscow at this time.
 
At the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Idaho Water Users Association a resolution was passed honoring the life and contributions of Jim Hudson, Class 34. The resolution was presented to the Governor, East Green Acres Irrigation District and the Idaho Congressional Delegation. Presenting the James Franklin “Jim” Hudson resolution was Dan Davidson, Class 38, and current president of the Idaho Water Users Association.
 
Sympathy is extended to Kyra Povirk, Class 35, on the recent passing of her father. Kyra is Assistant Field Manager for the BLM North Fork Field Office.
 
Sympathy is also extended to Glen Edwards, Class 28, on the passing of his mother in Utah. Glen still farms the home place between Meridian and Kuna.

The close of the 2022 Legislative Session included the retirement of Rep. Caroline Troy, Class 15, who served four terms in the Idaho House, Rep. Clark Kauffman, Class 13, who served five terms in the Idaho House and Rep. Marc Gibbs, Class 4, who served seven terms in the Idaho House. Senator Dan Johnson, Class 14, also retired from the Idaho Senate after being elected Mayor of Lewiston in November. Senator Johnson served for six terms. ​

Ron Jones, Class 2, has had a very busy fall, as he was selected by the Southern Idaho Potato Cooperative (SIPCO) to handle negotiations of potato contracts for growers who produce processed potatoes. Negotiations have been with McCain, Simplot, and Lamb Weston. Joining Ron in this process has been Patxi Larrocea-Phillips, Class 41, who is under contract with SIPCO. 

The Boise-Kuna Irrigation District recently announced their board for 2022 which includes: David Reynolds, Class 40, as chairman and Richard Durrant, Class 9, as vice chairman. Both David and Richard are involved in production agriculture. 

Congratulations to Maggie Malson, Class 39, who has moved to the Executive Board of the Idaho Cattle Association because of her position as chairman of the Cattlewomen Council. Maggie is involved in production agriculture on the family ranch and is also an Ag Communications professional.

Sympathy is extended to Rick Naerebout, Class 23, whose 96-year-old grandmother passed away in January. Rick serves as Executive Director of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association. Also to Sandy Porter, Class 34, who lost her mother recently. Sandy is on the faculty of Treasure Valley Community College.

Sympathy is extended to the family of Bruce Crapo, Class 2, who passed away recently. Bruce was from St. Anthony where he spent his life in the potato production industry.

We are hearing great reports on Bob Hays’, Class 28, progress since his knee replacement. Bob starts physical therapy next week. Bob is retired from several years at ISDA. 

Recently, John Bohman, Class 30, announced his candidacy for Latah County Commissioner. John owns Ridgeview Farm near Troy, Idaho. 

Joe Anderson, Class 9, was recently elected to the Port of Lewiston Commission. Joe has been an active member in the wheat and grain industry in Idaho and nationally. Mary Hasenoehrl, Class 17, had served on the commission since 2011 with a stint as chairman. Joe lives in the Lewiston area. 

Congratulations to Robert Blair, Class 26, who recently announced his candidacy for the Senate position in the new District 6. Robert farms in the Kendrick area and has been the substitute Senator for Senator Dan Johnson, Class 14, during the 2022 session.

Rep. Laurie Lickley, Affiliate Member, announced her candidacy for the Senate for the new District 26. Rep Lickley works on the family ranch with her husband Bill, Class 25. Rep. Lickley is completing her second term in the Idaho House.

Five Governor Awards were presented at the Idaho Ag Summit held recently in Boise. Education/Advocacy, recognized Mark, Class 11, and Wendy, Class 35, Pratt from Firth where they ranch; Bob Naerebout, Lobbyist for Idaho Dairymen’s Association, Lifetime Achievement, Bob is the father of Rick Naerebout, Class 23, Tom Iverson, production agriculture from Bonners Ferry, Marketing Innovation, Tom is the father of Ty Iverson, Class 24; Russ Zenner, Class 3, Environmental Stewardship, production agriculture in the Genesee area. Also recognized was Gary Fornshell, retired aquaculture extension educator from Buhl. Gary was recognized for Technical Innovation.

Congratulations to those who helped to make the 2022 Gala and Auction a success. The auction number, reported at graduation, on Friday was $148,157. Kendra Dustin, Class 32, LIA Development Director, reported this is the second largest auction in the history of the LIA Auctions.