LIA Briefs

Congratulations to Taylor, Class 35, and Lynae, Class 36, Grant on the birth of a son, Saturday, February 15. What a perfect Valentine gift that they waited 9 months to receive. This is also the grandson of Duane Grant, Class 2. The Grants operate a farming operation headquartered near Rupert - Grant 4-D Farms.
 
Congratulations to Rich Garber, Class 2, who was presented an Agriculture Industry Appreciation Award at the recent Idaho Ag Summit. Rich is a former LIA Trustee Chairman and has worked as a farmer, then working for agriculture associations and commodity groups, University of Idaho CALS and currently in the area of Government Relations for Idaho Grain Producers Association.
 
If you were watching the Super Bowl you may have seen a familiar face with Flip Phillips, Class 3, and spouse Suzi Larrocea, Class 4, who appeared in a bank ad talking about their family ranching and farming operation. I can see possibilities for Hollywood in their retirement - it was a great ad and several have sent emails and texts about seeing the ad.
 
Alan Heikkila, Class 13, and his wife, Gaye, are very proud of their daughter, Amy, who recently placed first in a Public Speaking Contest hosted by Kuna Grange. Amy won first place in the Prepared Speech Division. Also proud parents Jim Lowe, Class 31, and wife, Hillary, were at the same event to watch their daughter, Brooklyn, place first in the Extemporaneous Contest.
 
Congratulations to Brooke Jacobson, Class 39 who recently announced her engagement to Caleb Swanke. Brooke is employed at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture as a Program Manager in Range Management.
 
Many LIA Alumni were present for the dedication of the Agriculture mural in the tunnel at the State Capitol Building on Monday, February 17. Leadership Idaho Agriculture was one of the sponsors. Several LIA alumni were engaged along the journey of producing the 35' mural. While at the dedication, U of I President Scott Green announced that the U of I would place a mural celebrating Idaho's Land Grant University in the tunnel.
 
The Governor's Awards for Excellence in Agriculture were presented at the 2020 Idaho Ag Summit on Tuesday, February 18. Among those receiving the awards were Boyer Farms, Lapwai and LIA alumni Buck Boyer, Class 29. Also, Cathy Mosman, Class 4, and her children, including Katie Wilson, Class 39, received the award for Cathy's late husband Dave Mosman, Class 12. Wayne Hurst, Class 13, was present to receive recognition from Governor Brad Little who presented the annual awards. Co-chairing the Summit were Blair Wilson, Class 11, and incoming co-chairman Jason Downs, Class 37.
 
Sympathy is extended to Brent Reinke, Class 40, and family members in the recent death of Brent's younger brother who suffered fatal injuries in a backhoe/semi-truck collision near Arco.
 
There is still time to sign up, purchase Grand Prize tickets and plan to be in attendance for the 2020 Alumni Gala Dinner and Auction on Thursday, February 27. Doors open at 5:15 at the Boise Center in downtown Boise. Go online HERE and register for the event to save considerable time at check-in. Bring along friends and relatives who would enjoy the evening. There will be several new aspects to the auction and we are excited to see all alumni in attendance. Here is the link for the printable 2020 Alumni Activities Registration form.
 
Recently Washington DC was full of LIA alumni who were in the Nation's Capital to speak and represent Idaho agriculture interest. Alumni were visiting Capitol Hill on behalf of the grain industry, labor issues and onions. I guess we should have coordinated a reunion of all LIA Alumni that were there. Thanks for speaking out for Idaho agriculture. Now, any of you reading this Brief could join the LIA DC Experience that is planned for May 9-15. Contract Rick Waitley for more details.
 
A new award will be presented at the 2020 Graduation of Class 40. The award is honoring the life of Samantha Ramsey, Class 35, who was a former professor in child's nutrition at the University of Idaho. Samantha's life was cut short in her early 40's and the board of trustees through a memorial gift provided by Dick Rush, LIA Affiliate Member, and wife, Nancy, have established the Ramsey Innovation Award which will be presented for the first time on Friday, February 28.