LIA Briefs

Cody Reynolds, Class 28, sent an email for an update on his professional career. Cody has been at Syngenta for several years but is currently employed at CW Agronomy, LLC and NW Biologic. Cody continues to live in the Treasure Valley. 

Congratulations to Tay Brackett, Class 43, and husband Jared, who welcomed a new son, Jace Burr, on March 7. You can keep the Bracketts in your thoughts and prayers as they work through the adoption process in the next couple of months. Jared and Tay own and operate Antelope Springs Ranch near Filer. 

Congratulations to Terry Helms, Class 19, who has been elected as President of NW Certified Crop Advisors board of directors for a two-year term. Terry is employed with Simplot Grower Solutions as an agronomist.
 
Changing jobs, but still with irrigation, is Mark Zirschky, Class 32, who was with Pioneer Irrigation district for 31 years. Mark has assumed a role as District Manager of the Boise River Flood Control District. 

Congratulations to Cristina Machado, Class 44, who recently was named Operations Manager at Latitude 42 Farms, where she has been employed. 

Sympathy is extended to Cedric Nwafor, Honorary LIA Member, whose father passed away in Africa recently. Cedric resides in Hagerstown, MD. 

Sympathy is extended to Jeff Williams, Class 10, who recently suffered the loss of his mother. Jeff lives in the Sun Valley area and is the retired CEO of Glanbia Nutritionals. 

KTVB Channel 7 TV, located in Boise, recently sponsored a “7 Listens” event dedicated to learning more about issues facing agriculture. Participants were from a variety of areas, including production ag, farm organizations and commodity groups. LIA Alumni were present in the group: Richard Durrant, Class 9, Vice President, Idaho Farm Bureau; Jarom Jemmett, Class 39, President of Idaho Onion Growers’ Assn; Matt Dorsey, Class 29, production agriculture; Ron Bitner, Class 3, owner of Bitner Winery; Laura Wilder, Class 38, Administrator Idaho Barley Commission; and Rick Waitley, Class 8, Executive Director of Food Producers of Idaho. The group spent two hours discussing a variety of issues facing the industry – specifically in the Treasure Valley. 

Congratulations to Jarom Jemmett, Class 39, who was recently re-elected as President of Idaho Onion Growers’ Association and to Brennan Gabiola-Harris, Class 32, who was recently elected as Vice President. Josh Rubel, Class 32, was elected for another two-year term on the board of directors. 

Idaho Ag Summit happens each February in Boise, and the current LIA class is usually engaged with the Summit. The Summit Planning Committee is looking for additional members. If you would like to be involved in the Summit Planning Committee, please send your name to Rick Waitley, [email protected].

Now is the time to sign up for the LIA Golf Tournament that is to be held on Thursday, June 6 in Twin Falls. Details for signing up can be found on the LIA webpage at www.leadershipidahoag.org/golf.

Agriculture in the Classroom Summer Workshops for teachers (K-12) are being offered on the following schedule:

• July 8-9, Mon – Tues Treasure Valley
• July 11-12, Thurs – Fri Magic Valley
• July 18-19, Thurs – Fri Eastern Idaho

If you have a teacher in your family, a friend or a neighbor, be sure they are aware of this 1 credit graduate course that is being offered. More information can be found on the website at www.idahoaitc.org.

Your LIA Board of Trustees just spent two days in a Strategic Planning Session with a facilitator to chart the course for the next five years for the organization. This plan will go from 2024-2029. The trustees celebrated many achievements from the past 5-year plan and express appreciation to many of you, as alumni, who provided your input through questions related to LIA operations via Survey Monkey.