LIA Briefs

The LIA Alumni Activities Committee has settled on the name LIA LINK (Leadership Information Network Knowledge), for the monthly LIA Alumni calls. The first one was conducted on Thursday, June 25 at 9:00 AM Mountain Time. The calls will be scheduled for the last Thursday of each month. If you have a favorite topic to be suggested for the agenda, please send those in advance of the meeting for consideration.
 
Now is the time to be sending any updates for the LIA Directory to Gloria at the LIA office. You can send changes to your contact information or involvement in your community activities to Gloria at [email protected].
 
Congratulations to Amanda Crump, Class 23, who received the 2020 Western Region Award for Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences in the New Teacher category. Amanda is Assistant Professor of Teaching in the International Agricultural Department at University of California, Davis.
 
Congratulations to Joe Stewart, Class 16, and his wife, Shauna, on the arrival of their son, William Ryder Stewart, born on May 11. William will join his two older sisters. Joe runs a family dairy operation west of Kuna.
 
Congratulations to Stephen Parrot, Class 39, who was re-elected State Republican Party Treasurer, for 2020-2022 at the State Republican Convention held recently in Boise. Stephen works for Northwest Farm Credit Services as a relationship manager and is active in many other community and state organizations and activities.
 
Region V of the Idaho Republican Party will have excellent leadership under the guidance of three LIA alumni. At a recent meeting, Wayne Hurst, Class 13, was elected as Chairman, Mike Mathews, Class 16, was elected as Vice Chairman and Steve Miller, Class 29, was elected as Secretary. Congratulations gentleman as you lead your region.
 
We received word that a special retirement party is planned for Thursday, July 9th honoring the 44 years of service to the Nampa Meridian Irrigation District by Daren Coon, Class 30. To RSVP for the event please visit the link http://evite.me/VFQEfC22a8. Daren was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Nampa/Meridian Irrigation District based in Nampa and serving thousands of acres in the Treasure Valley.

Speaking of retirements, Patti Harris, Class 26, will retire on June 30 after many years as the USDA Farm Service Agency. Most recently Patti has been serving as an Agricultural Farm Program Specialist. Patti has served faithfully as a member of the Idaho Ag Summit Planning Committee and several years as a member of the Governor's Award for Excellence in Agriculture Selection Committee. A special party is planned later in the summer or fall to honor Patti.
 
Sympathy is extended to Mark Duffin, Class 22, in the passing of both his parents this spring, first his father and then shortly after his mother. Mark's parents farmed for years in the American Falls area before moving to Nampa for retirement. Mark retired earlier this year as Executive Director of the Idaho Sugarbeet Grower's Assn.
 
Sympathy is extended to Wayne Hammon, Class 14, in the recent passing of his mother. Mrs. Hammon resided in American Falls where she spent a career raising special breeds of workhorses. Wayne is the CEO of the Idaho Associated General Contractors based in Boise and a registered lobbyist.
 
Completing six years of service on the Idaho Alfalfa Clover Seed Commission are two LIA alumni. Steve Lejardi, Class 17, and Dave Reynolds, Class 40, will complete their eligible terms on June 30. Both had been appointed to serve in that capacity by Governor Butch Otter. Thank you gentlemen for your leadership and service.
 
Each summer for many years, Idaho Ag in the Classroom has conducted tours and workshops throughout Idaho. LIA alumni are popular presenters, also farms and ranches as well as agribusinesses owned by LIA alumni are popular tour stops. This year the workshop will be a virtual workshop in mid-July and a second session in late July. Coordinating the event is Gretchen Hyde, Class 36, Administrator of the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission and Rick Waitley, Class 8, State Director of Idaho Ag in the Classroom. Also joining the team is Project Leaning Tree under the leadership of Michelle Youngquist. If you want more information about the virtual tour, one graduate credit and registration, visit the website at www.idahonaturalresources.com.