LIA BRIEFS

Our thoughts and prayers are with Robert Blair, Class 26 and his wife Rhonda as she recovers from major surgery in Spokane. Reports are that Rhonda is doing well and that one of the new skills Robert can add to his résumé is “nursing”!

Now is the time to be thinking of family, neighbors and friends to nominate for the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Agriculture. The application and list of past recipients can be found on the Idaho Ag Summit web page at www.idahoagsummit.org.  Applications are due by July 1. This is a wonderful award to recognize individuals in five different categories: Education/Advocacy, Environmental Stewardship, Marketing Innovation, Technical Innovation, Lifetime Achievement.

LIA graduates will be playing a major role at the Meridian workshop for Idaho Ag in the Classroom. Drew Eggers, Class 12, will be the tour host on Monday, and Leah Clark, Class 26, Stephanie Etter, Class 26 and Jim Lowe, Class 31, will be presenting on Tuesday.

Speaking of Ag in the Classroom - At this time, 25 teachers from around Idaho are signed up for the famous “Smile Tour” that follows the path of the Snake River and features Idaho Agriculture. The tour is July 14-17 from Boise to Idaho Falls. Two events are planned for alumni during that time - Monday evening, July 14, there will be a BBQ in Twin Falls, and on Wednesday evening, July 16, there will be a BBQ in Idaho Falls. Each event is an opportunity for local alumni to meet and interact with the teachers; the trick – you are helping to provide the food!  Details will be coming in a letter. Please plan to attend the BBQ in your area. We hope to see many of you at either one of these events.

The information sheet for the 2014-2015 LIA Alumni Directory, along with the annual dues notice, will be coming your way early July. The format for the new directory will have one change - lifetime members will be placed back into the alpha listing, but will still be recognized on a separate list.  We are excited to welcome new Lifetime Members – Darrell Bolz, Class 7, Todd Flick, Class 5 and Doug Gross, Class 7.

Congratulations to Moya Dolsby, Class 30, who was named one of the Women of the Year by the Idaho Business Review. Moya is the administrator of the Idaho Wine and Grape Commission in Boise.

LIA Alumni will play a vital role in a joint project between LIA, Idaho Ag in the Classroom and the Idaho FFA Foundation in a program called Seed Survivor, sponsored by Agrium. The program sponsors visits to elementary schools to raise awareness about agriculture. Coordinating the program for Idaho is Brett Wilder, 2013-2014 Idaho FFA President.  Brett is working from our office for the duration of this project. The school visits will be September – October and assistants will be needed at each of the locations. Don’t be surprised if you get a letter of invitation to volunteer at one of these sites!  Spouses are also welcome to participate.

Remember, August 1 is the deadline for applications for Class 35. Tuition this year is $2400, plus travel and lodging. Scholarship funds are available. Encourage your family, friends and neighbors to apply. Applications are available on line at www.leadershipidahoag.org or by contacting Joanne in our office at joanne@amgidaho.com.