LIA Briefs

It is true, the 20 participants in the LIA State Exchange to Georgia experienced Hurricane Helene while they were overnight on the last day in Savannah. While there was obvious damage and some change in plans for the tour, the group remained safe and were on time with their travel back from the Exchange. While in Georgia they toured and met many farmers that ended up being impacted by the Hurricane.
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A fund has been established on the LIA website www.leadershipidahoag.org to generate funds that will be sent to Georgia to assist some of the farmers who have lost massive amounts of their crops. The fund at the time of this writing has reached over $15,000. We welcome your contribution to the fund. Click here to donate to the fund.

Those that went to Georgia:

• Bryce Durrant, Class 39 and Carly Durrant
• Richard Durrant, Class 9 and guest James Gallacci
• Kendra Dustin, Class 32 and guest Mark York
• Glen Edwards, Class 28
• Drew Eggers, Class 12
• Jason Keller, Class 37 and guest Mike Keller
• Nicholas Purdy, Class 42 and Katie Purdy
• Abbie Quesnell, Class 38
• Dave Reynolds, Class 40 and guest Wendy Rowland
• Megan Snyder, Class 38
• Rick Waitley, Class 8 and Dorita Waitley
• Nic Wittman, Class 39 and Grace Wittman

Be sure you are following us on social media to learn more about these trips in the future!

Congratulations to Amaya Aguire-Landa, Class 41 who was recently named Executive Director of the Idaho Grain Producers Association in Boise. Amaya will be working directly with Idaho wheat and barley producers. Amaya and her husband Matt are involved in a farming operation near Homedale. Amaya has been working at Mill 95 in Parma prior to assuming the role at IGPA. 
Glenn Edwards, Class 28 is the proud grandpa of several grandchildren. A six year old grandson, whose parents are Corey and Carrie Edwards, has spent a major part of the summer in a Utah Children’s Hospital addressing the issue of a brain tumor. The little guy returned home to the Boise Valley recently where they will continue to monitor his condition.

​Sympathy is extended to the family of David Patrick, Class 29 who passed away in September following complications from surgery. David’s parents are former State Senator Jim Patrick, Class 15 and Afton Patrick. David was involved in the family farming operation near Filer.

Wayne Hammon, Class 14 recently had surgery and reports are that he is making excellent progress in recovery. Wayne serves as Executive Director for the Idaho Association of General Contractors in Boise.

The publication Ag Proud Idaho always features a number of article about and from LIA graduates. In the August 10 issue, the front page picture and article inside features Blake Matthews, Class 36 and former chairman of the Board of Trustees, discussing the issue of soil health. 
Sympathy is extended to Ann Jacops, Class 31 in the recent loss of her father. Ann works in Parma for the Idaho Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association and other agriculture associations represented by their office. 


Class 45 will be in great hands with the leadership of two co-chairmen: Mandie Seward, Class 44 who works for Valley Wide Cooperative and Michael Colle, Class 44 who works for the University of Idaho CALS. They will be assisting with class operations for the new class starting in November. 

We recently learned that Jack Bell, Class 13 passed away in January 2024. Jack served as the lead at the Nezperce Tribe Bio-Control Laboratory in Lapwai for a number of years and later served in the role of Nature Resource Damage Assessment Coordinator for the Tribe. Jack’s wife Valdasue, Class 16 is the U of I CALS Nez Perce Reservation Extension Educator. 

Many LIA alumni know Cedric who has visited Idaho a few times through the years and is an honorary member of LIA. Cedric will be in Idaho the end of October as a guest speaker of the IAPAL (International Association of Programs of Agriculture Leadership). He will be sharing about the creation of the program ROOTS Africa which was founded and is operated by Cedric. Several LIA alumni have served as mentors for the program or have traveled to African countries to work in the ROOTS Africa program. A special dinner will be held as an opportunity for LIA Alumni and friends to visit with Cedric. The no host event will take place on Sunday evening, October 20 at 6:00 PM at Fiesta Guadalajara on Garrity Boulevard in Nampa. 

July 1 marked the start of the new membership year for Leadership Idaho Agriculture. Dues are either annual for $50.00/graduate or lifetime for $1,000. You may pay online at www.leadershipidahoag.org or by clicking here. We look forward to maintaining your name on the membership list for LIA.