LIA Briefs

Leaders Needed: University of Idaho CALS has a number of advisory committees that serve the various departments within the College. These advisory committees meet 1-2 times per year. Names are being sought at this time for the Western Idaho and Central Idaho committees. If you have worked with Extension, 4-H, or other programs, provided by County Faculty in your area, you would be a good candidate. If you are interested in having your name moved forward for consideration, please drop Rick an email at [email protected].

​Congratulations to Ron Elkin, Class 14, and his wife, Inga, whose daughter, Reina, received a scholarship from Northwest Farm Credit Services to attend the U of I.

Sympathy is extended to Bo Isham, Class 40, and his family on the passing of Bo’s grandfather, Donald Isham, who lived and farmed near Arco. He was deeply engaged in his community and agriculture over the years.

Senator Dan Johnson, Class 14, has recently announced that he will not run for the Idaho Senate again after serving nearly six terms. He has decided to run for Mayor of Lewiston. Johnson has been highly regarded as a solid waste manager for the City and a Port of Lewiston Commissioner. The race involves a change in structure for the city from a council manager to a mayor system.

Congratulations to Malia Miller, Class 36, and an LIA board trustee. Malia has been elected to the board for Snake River Farmers Assn. The organization oversees H2A Labor throughout Southern Idaho. Rochelle Oxarango, Class 12, also serves as a member of the board of directors.

Strong recruitment efforts by the LIA Board of Trustees resulted in Rick making a “Recruitment Tour” in the eastern Idaho region. Stops included Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, Pocatello, and Burley to meet with LIA Alumni. We handed out over 100 recruitment packets to potential candidates that the alumni identified. Applications for LIA were due on August 1. However, applications from that region of Idaho have until August 20 to be submitted. The goal is to increase the number of production agriculture applicants from Eastern Idaho.

July 1, Southern Idaho Potato Cooperative relocated their base of operation from eastern Idaho to the office of Association Management Group. Serving the organization are three LIA Alumni: Rick Waitley, Class 8; Benjamin Kelly, Class 29; and Patxi Larrocea-Phillips, Class 41. The organization began at AMG in the 1990s under the leadership of Rich Garber, Class 2. This organization coordinates contract negotiations between potato farmers and fry processors in Idaho.

Congratulations to Patxi Larrocea-Phillips, Class 41 who was selected by Idaho Wool Growers Assn. to serve as their lobbyist. 

Two important items for LIA Alumni:

• Annual dues ($50) were payable on July 1, 2021, for this fiscal year. You can go online at the LIA website www.leadershipidahoag.org and make your payment or call Patty at the LIA office (208-888-0988).
• Directory updates are being collected now as we anticipate the printing of the 2021-2022 LIA Alumni Directory. We work to maintain the accuracy of the LIA Alumni Directory and seek your help in accomplishing that goal. All dues-paying alumni receive a complimentary copy of the directory later this fall.

Congratulations to Bill Bohl, Class 14, who was recognized as a Life Member of the Potato Association of America. It is the highest honor granted by this scientific society, and he was one of four individuals honored at the recent annual meeting of the society.

Congratulations to Alex Reed, Class 35, and Leah Reed, Class 40, whose farm was recognized by the Idaho Historical Society as a Century Farm for operations over 105 years. Alex’s dad, Rex Reed, was present along with two sisters for the celebration. Also joining Alex and his family for the celebration was a sister Lauren Reed Blass, Class 21. Over 150 people gathered on the farm to celebrate the milestone of farming in the Reed family.