LIA Briefs

Congratulations to Steve Kaufman, Class 34, and wife Christina on the birth of Thomas Raymond Kaufman, born November 22. Now there is a trio of little guys in the Kaufman home, Ben, Will and Thomas. Steve farms in the Lewiston area.

Congratulations to Bryce Durrant, Class 39, and wife Carly on the birth of a Carter Keith on November 26. This is the first child for Bryce and Carly and they share their excitement with Grandpa Richard Durrant, Class 9. Bryce is employed at Big D Ranch in Meridian.

Dan Pinther, Class 30, became a Great Grandparent on October 27 when their Grandson Kade presented them with a Great Granddaughter Hagan Mae Pinther, weighing in at 7lbs.

Sympathy is extended to the Hartman Family in the loss of the family’s matriarch, Carol Hartman, in mid-November. This includes sons: John Hartman, Class 10, Bill Hartman, Class 5. Grandchildren: Jeff Hartman, Class 34, Josh Rubel, Class 32, and Kathryn Hartman, Class 41.

Sympathy is extended to Jim Patrick, Class 15, in the passing of his mother Madonna Patrick at 99 years old. This also includes grandson David Patrick, Class 29.

Sympathy is extended to Kim Royer, Class 24, on the loss of a brother recently. Kim works for USDA Farm Service Agency in Adams County with heavy involvement in the family farming operation.

Idaho Farm Bureau Federation recognized Adam Clark, Class 38, and his family. They were recently awarded the 2020 Idaho Farm Bureau Excellence Award. The video on Adam’s Facebook page gives highlights of the award. Adam farms with his brother and father, Roger Clark, Class 13. The Clark’s operation is located in Menan. Adam also serves as Chairman of the board for Valley Wide Cooperative.

The members of the 2021 Idaho Legislature came to town the first of December for what is called their reorganization session. LIA alumni scored well in positions of leadership: Senator Jim Patrick, Class 15, was named Chairman of the Commerce & Human Resources Committee; Senator Dan Johnson, Class 14, was named Vice Chairman of the Resources Committee. In the House, Rep. Caroline Troy, Class 15, was named Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Clark Kauffman, Class 13, was named Chairman of the House Agricultural Affairs Committee; and Rep. Marc Gibbs, Class 4, was named Chairman of the Resource & Conservation Committee along with Rep. Laurie Lickley, LIA Affiliate Member being named Vice Chairman of the committee.  

Never has this happened, the LIA Executive Committee decided on December 2 to postpone the Second Session for LIA Class 41 to be held in Idaho Falls. This decision was driven by the fact that Idaho is still in Stage 2 – not allowing for assembly of more than 10 people. The facility in Idaho Falls had appealed the situation to the local Health District but were told they must adhere to the Governor’s directive or potentially face fines. Several alternatives are being explored to determine the best path going forward for the class to receive the information and instruction from the Idaho Falls Session.

I think it is clear to all Alumni that anyone at any time can submit potential names for future classes of LIA. What we need is a name and physical mailing address. We do not need a phone number or an email address. We will send the potential list a postcard in the spring announcing the dates and locations for the next class.

Be watching your mailbox for what is called the LIA Grander Grand Prize information in preparation for the 2021 Alumni Gala and Auction scheduled for the last week of February.

Thanks to those that joined us for the LIA Alumni LINK call on December 3. The call had a great deal of timely information related to the current COVID situation, and then several features related to “How We are doing Business at this Time.” We highlighted accounting, banking, loan and commodity programs and the new protocols that are in place for dealing with experts in these areas. If you missed the call, then plan to see the recording HERE.