LIA Briefs

Congratulations to Justin Place, Class 37, named the Jefferson County "Farmer of the Year". Justin was presented the award at the Rigby Chamber of Commerce and Farmers Merchant Award Banquet in early March.
 
Congratulations to Hannah Malson, Class 38, and her husband Joe on the birth of Odessa Lee on Thursday, April 5, weighing in at 8 lbs. 1 oz. and 21.5" long. Hannah will take some time away from her work with Agri Beef as she shares special times with Odessa.
 
Congratulations to Dale Van Beek, Class 10, and wife Leslie on the election of their son, Harrison Van Beek, as Idaho State FFA Vice President at the recent FFA convention in Twin Falls. The LIA Foundation sponsored a table at a banquet called Friends of Idaho FFA. Participants at the table from LIA were: Roger Stutzman, Class 15, and wife Mary; Terry Helms, Class 19, and wife Danielle; Jim Patrick, Class 15, and wife Afton and Rick Pearson, Class 21, and wife Susan. Several LIA alumni served as judges for various contests and events at the State FFA event which attracted over 1500 FFA members and guests.
 
Recently, more than 1800 postcards were mailed to nominated individuals for future LIA classes. Applications for Class 39 are due on August 1 for consideration by the selection committee. Please help spread the word about this opportunity. Tuition for the class is $2,500 plus travel and lodging. An application and dates can be found online by clicking here.
 
Food Producers of Idaho recently named their 2018 Ag All Star Legislators based on their votes related to agriculture and natural resource issues. LIA alumni who were recognized as Ag All Stars included: Representative Marcus Gibbs, Class 4; Representative Clark Kauffman, Class 13; Representative Steve Miller, Class 29; Representative Caroline Troy, Class 15; and Senator Jim Patrick, Class 15.
 
Idaho Ag in the Classroom will be sponsoring "On the Road Workshops" for teachers (K-12) this summer on the following dates and locations:
 
Treasure Valley (Nampa): June 11-12
Burley: June 14 -15
Sandpoint: June 20-21
 
We encourage LIA alumni to promote the workshop to teachers in your family and to those who teach your children, encouraging them to attend. One graduate credit is available and registration can be completed online at www.idahoaitc.org.

If you are considering the Washington, DC, Experience we need to know by 
Thursday at noon of this week. The following are signed up to participate in this year's event held May 13 - May 18: Britt Beene, Class 36; RoLynne Hendricks, Class 33; Jason Keller, Class 37; Benjamin Kelly, Class 29; Travis Lammers, Class 34; Treg Owings, Class 35; Abbie Quesnell, Class 38; Tony Sunseri, Class 37 and Laura Wilder, Class 38. Coordinating the tour will be Development Director, Kendra Dustin, Class 32, and Rick Waitley, Executive Director.

Be sure you have on your calendar Monday, July 9, as the 2nd Annual LIA Golf Scramble to be held at Blue Lakes Country Club in Twin Falls. The event starts at 12:00 PM. More information to follow. That evening the Magic Valley Regional Event will be at the same location for all LIA alumni, families and guests along with those who participated in the Golf Scramble - watch the Regional Events page for details.
 
The LIA Facebook page has been getting many visitors. One of the most popular hits on the page has been a video that shows production agriculture in progress. If you want to take the time to share a video of your farming operation and practices that might be of interest to the public, please prepare the video and send it to Nic Gibson in our office for review and consideration for the LIA Facebook page. If you have not seen the video featuring the LIA Legacy Project from the 2018 Auction, we encourage you to visit the Facebook page today and share in the story of the Durrant Family.