Dear LIA Alumni
We are going to hold our weekly LIA Alumni COVID-19 Update Zoom Meeting on Thursday, May 7 at 9:00 AM (MDT). The schedule of presenters for this week's meeting are as follows: Doug Robison, President NWFC -"Global Perspective on COVID-19" Dean, Michael Parrella and Associate Dean, Mark McGuire - "Updates from the U of I College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station" We will take a quick trip around the US and receive updates from LIA Alumni in several different states. I tried to concentrate on Western US because I know that travel for business and pleasure is on many minds. Thanks to the following who have offered to provide us an update: NORTH DAKOTA - Jason Bohrer, Class 23, President and CEO of Lignite Energy Council WASHINGTON - Matthew Ellsworth, Class 20, CEO and President of the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts TENNESSEE - Kendra Dustin, Class 32, Private Consultant, Fund Development Director Leadership Idaho Agriculture OHIO - John Foltz, Class 12 Chairman, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dept of Animal Science - Ohio State University OREGON - Travis Jones, Class 28, US State and Local Manager, Government and Public Affairs, Affairs, NIKE Inc. CALIFORNIA - Brian Lish, Class 20, President and CEO of AGRX TEXAS - Kim O'Neill, Class 27, Associate Vice President of Advancement, Texas Tech University MINNESOTA - Jaime Meyer, Class 30, Direct Support Professional Meeting information was sent to alumni via email. ************************************* LIA COMMODITY BOX PROJECT: LIA Trustee Malia Miller shared on last week's call about the Commodity Box Project. Here is what she shared: The LIA Golf Tournament has been cancelled for 2020. Our committee began considering other options after hearing how Valley Country Stores are highlighting milk for 99 cent per gallon. We started brainstorming some ideas to highlight Idaho Ag and commodities. As we are all aware, there is a surplus of Ag products available. We would like to put together a committee of experts to help us determine if an Ag commodity "box" would be feasible and what products could be available. Our initial thoughts is a box would be purchased and a box donated. Our objective is to help our consumers understand the value of Idaho Ag and to bring the consumer direct to Ag producers. Each sector of Idaho Ag would bring their commodities to a common lot, each commodity would be added to the box and individuals would arrive to pick up their box. Orders would need to be done in advance to ensure pickup and a meeting time/Date/place would be sets. Our biggest unknown and fear is commodities that do not store so we would bring them together on one day at one location so no storage would be required. There will be a Zoom Call on Tuesday, May 5 at 1:00 (Mountain Time) to further explore this project. If you have commodities that you would like to learn more about the project then please send me a quick email - rick@amgidaho.com so I can add your name to the email list for those participating. Rick Waitley Executive Director
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Congratulations to Robert Blair, Class 26, who is serving on the FCC Precision Ag Task Force - Adoption & Jobs Work Group. The main purpose of the group is to make recommendations regarding rural connectivity issues. The FCC is working closely with USDA on this issue.
Idaho Business Review has recently released the recipients of the Accomplished Under 40 Award Recipients. In the group was Stephen Parrott, Class 39, Stephen works for Northwest Farm Credit Services out of their Nampa operations as a Relationship Manager. Good reports are coming our way about Randy Brooks, Class 16, who had an aortic valve replaced on February 12. Randy opted for the mechanical valve, since he had been told that cow and pig valves were only good for 10-15 years and he plans to hang around a lot longer than that. Randy is employed by the University of Idaho in the College of Natural Resources as an Extension Forestry Specialist and Professor. Congratulations to Ronda Hirnyck, Class 9, who recently was presented the U of I Extension "Excellence in Extension" Award. Ronda serves as a Pesticide Specialist for the U of I and is based in Boise. Representative Caroline Nilsson Troy, Class 15, is proud to announce the birth of Jack David Linehan on March 18. Jack David joins 2 year old sister, McKenzie. Now Caroline can spread love to both of these wonderful grandchildren. However, the family was encouraged to isolate for 3 months due to COVID-19 so Grandma Caroline is counting the days. The LIA Board of Trustees officially cancelled the LIA Golf Tournament scheduled for June 12 in Twin Falls. It became a logistical nightmare. In one conversation, the golf course said they could allow no more than 1 person per cart - can you imagine - that would be like "bumper cars" on a golf course. Stay tuned as we work through alternatives. ANRIPAC (Agriculture Natural Resource Industry Political Action Committee) recently held their annual meeting and election of officers. Those elected to lead the organization include: Drew Eggers, Class 12, as Chairman, Neil Durrant, Class 34, as Vice Chairman and Benjamin Kelly, Class 29, as Secretary/Treasurer. Congratulations to Will Ricks, Class 27, who was re-elected as President of the Idaho Hay and Forage Association. Will farms in Monteview, Idaho. The LIA Alumni COVID-19 Information Zoom Calls each Thursday have been very well received with over 150 in attendance plus many more watching the recordings. Doug Robison, Class 29, President of NWFCS, has been key to continuity on the calls giving a "Weekly Global Perspective of COVID-19". Recently, Doug also joined a call with Idaho Water Users for an update and provided a similar presentation. Other presenters on the call included: Mark Zirschky, Class 32, talking about "Response to the Earthquake" in March and Dan Davidson, Class 38, for an update on COVID-19 in the Magic Valley. Mark is Manager of Pioneer Irrigation District and Dan is Manager of Minidoka Irrigation District. NOTE: If you have not been on the calls, we encourage you to join us each Thursday morning at 9:00 AM (MT). LIA Trustee Alan Martinson, Class 27, reported a successful surgery for prostate cancer. Alan expressed appreciation for the kind notes, words of encouragement and prayers leading up to and during the recovery from the surgery. Chad Henggeler, Class 24, has been named to the Governor's Task Force for Economic Recovery as a result of COVID-19. Chad is involved in a family orchard business in Fruitland. |
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