LIA Briefs

We are very thankful for LIA Board Chairman, Matt Gellings, Class 19!  Matt wrote on January 21:  “My life took an unexpected turn on Tuesday, January 19. I was snowmobiling with friends in the mountains above Alpine, Wyoming, and hit a big tree stump that was buried in the snow. The impact broke both of my legs below my knees. I was very lucky that the location of my accident was in an open area where the Life Flight chopper was able to land 100 ft. away. Both my Tibia and Fibula were broken on my left leg and were set with a rod and screws during three hours of surgery that night. It will be six weeks before I can put any weight on that leg.  The Tibia in my right leg was shattered and because of the swelling, they stabilized the leg and will do surgery on it next Friday. I will learn about life in a wheel chair in the next few days. I will be a resident of Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for the next ten days or so and then will experience life at home in a wheelchair. I am looking forward to seeing you in the future.”  Vice Chairman Debra Ausman, Class 19, will be assuming Matt’s responsibilities related to the Boise LIA events.

Congratulations to Representative Caroline Troy, Class 15, who was presented the “Friend of Industry” Award by the Idaho Cooperative Council, Inc., at the recent ICC/FFA Day on the Hill event in Boise. The award is presented each year to a Senator and a Representative.
Wedding bells will ring in June for LIA Trustee Alan Martinson, Class 27, who recently announced his engagement. Alan works as Latah County Weed Superintendent in Moscow.
Terrell Sorensen, Class 13, has left his position as Manager of Falls Irrigation in American Falls and is now working for U of I Extension as Power County Extension Educator. Terrell was elected recently to the Board of Directors for the Idaho Weed Control Association.
Congratulations to Mitch Whitmill, Class 31, who was presented the Idaho Weed Control Association Hall of Fame Award at their recent state convention in Boise. Mitch serves as the Jefferson County Weed Control Superintendent.

Dr. Chris McIntosh, Class 17, will be conducting his 16th tour for U of I Ag Econ students who visit Boise, January 31-February 3. Chris is an Ag Econ professor at U of I. The annual tour is sponsored by Food Producers of Idaho. Helping to coordinate the tour for the students were Benjamin Kelly, Class 29, and Jim Lowe, Class 31.

Rich Garber, Class 2, will depart his position as assistant to the Dean of the College of Ag and Life Sciences February 1 and assume the role of lobbyist for the Idaho Grain Producers Association.

The Annual Gold Room Workshop is sponsored by Idaho Council on Industry and the Environment. Pat Barclay, Class 16, serves as the ICIE Executive Director. This year the workshop is on the subject, “Fish Consumption” and the guest presenter is Greg Möller, Class 7, from the University of Idaho.

Congratulations to Jim Hudson, Class 34, who became President of Idaho Water Users at their recent state convention held in Boise in January. Jim is with Green Acres Irrigation Company in Rathdrum.

UPCOMING LIA AUCTION
**NEW DATE ** NEW VENUE**
Wednesday, February 17, 2016   /   5:30pm
Boise Centre (map below)
Please click this link to read the IMPORTANT NOTICE.

CAN YOU HELP?  We are looking for more desserts to sell in the Dessert Auction at the annual LIA Gala Dinner and Auction on Wednesday, February 17. If you can offer a “fancy dessert,” please let Rick know at [email protected].