Congratulations to Meranda Small, Class 36, and her husband, Wyatt, on the birth of their daughter, Finley, in October. Meranda is employed at Bingham County Extension as a 4-H and Livestock Educator. The Smalls also have a son.
 
Mary Hasenoehrl, Class 17, recently was presented an Idaho Press 2C Spotlight Award for her achievements in agriculture. Last year, Mary was the first women to be appointed to the Idaho Potato Commission, and the award cited Mary as a "trailblazer for women in agriculture".
 
Sympathy is extended to the family of Reagon Hatch, Class 14, who passed away on Sunday, October 28, after a two-year battle with a brain tumor. Our thoughts and prayers go with Susan, his wife, and their extended family.
 
Thoughts and support are with Beau Oxarango, son of Rochelle Oxarango, Class 12, and her husband, Robert. Beau suffered many external and internal injuries in a recent car wreck in the Emmett area.
 
Congratulations to Adam Clark, Class 38, and his wife, Kylee, who welcomed Kambri Ann on Saturday, November 3. Kambri entered the world at 7lbs. 15oz. and was 19" long. She joins her sister, Adele, and her brother, Taysom. Adam is an employee of Clark Farms and serves as chairman of the board for Valley Wide Cooperative.
 
The 2018-2019 LIA Directories have arrived and are going in the mail as you are reading this LIA Brief. Thanks to everyone who provided updated information and to Lisa Byce in the office for pulling it all together. The front cover of the directory was provided by Taylor Grant, Class 35.
 
There is still time to sign up for the LIA Idaho Public Policy Experience in February 2019. The dates are February 11-14, and it is held in Boise. Come and experience how public policy is developed and how government - state and national - functions.
 
Congratulations to Brad McIntyre, Class 29, who was nominated by his county extension educator, Scott Jensen, Class 21, to be entered into a pool of candidates for the National Young Farmer of the Year Award. Brad was successful in making it into the top ten and will be traveling to Illinois in February for special recognition where the top four individuals will be selected from the pool of ten.
 
Jennifer Lux, Class 37, recently announced that she would be joining HUB International as a regional ag and crop operations manager. Jennifer will be responsible for operations for crop and farm insurance. Jennifer also continues to play a role in the family farming operation with her husband, Marty Lux, Class 38.
 
Congratulations to those winning elections for state legislator positions: Sen. Dan Johnson, Class, 14; Sen. Jim Patrick, Class 15; Rep. Clark Kauffman, Class 13; Rep. Carolyn Nilsson Troy, Class 15; Rep. Marcus Gibbs, Class 4, and newly elected Rep. Laurie Lickley, Affiliate Member.
 
The Pro/Con issue for Class 39 is on private property rights or trespass laws in Idaho. The activity was kicked off in Moscow by Braden Jensen with government affairs for Idaho Farm Bureau.
 
Some quick stats on LIA Class 39:

• There are a total of 30 participants.
• Ten of the participants are female.
• Seven of the participants are affiliated with production agriculture.
• For the first time, there are participants from Idaho Power and from PNW Farmers Cooperative out of Genesee.

Serving as co-chairman for Class 39 are Lynae Grant, Class 36, with Grant 4D Farms, and Travis Lammers, Class 34, with Northwest Farm Credit Services.

On October 12, Dan Mattson, Class 28, concluded 33 years of service to USDA Farm Service Agency. Not only is Dan changing occupations to start a new career, but his family is relocating to a new home in Moscow where Dan will become a VP, Commercial Relationship Manager for Columbia Bank in Pullman, WA.
 
Julie Burkhardt, Class 22, recently was appointed to the Adams County Planning and Zoning Commission. Julie stated, "I'm not sure it's that big of honor - it's just MORE WORK!"
 
Scott Jensen, Class 21, recently was elected to a two-year term on the National Association of County Agricultural Agents as a western regional director. Scott current serves as the Owyhee County Extension Educator.
 
Congratulations to Mark Pratt, Class 11, and Wendy Pratt, Class 35, on the engagement of their son, Seth, who works for Context, an ag communications business, and who is involved in the family farming and ranching operation in Firth. Seth and his fiancée, Leah Gibson, are planning a wedding in June 2019.
 
Rick Waitley, Class 8, will be teaching an Effective Meetings workshop in Blackfoot on Tuesday, November 13, from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. The workshop is scheduled to be held at Idaho Ag Credit in Blackfoot. For more information, contact Rick at rick@amgidaho.com. The workshop is open to LIA alumni and friends.
 
Orientations are being held around Idaho for LIA Class 39 participants. Rick and Dorita Waitley are touring the state to meet with participants and their spouses to explain the LIA experience, which will start in November in Moscow.
 
Recently, a Personal Property Tax Tour was held in the Treasure Valley for the staff of the Idaho Tax Commission. Helping to coordinate the event and to tell the story of agriculture and personal property taxes, were Candi Fitch, Class 28, Idaho Hop Commission Administrator; Michelle Gooding, Class 38, hop grower; and Benjamin Kelly, Class 29, with Food Producers of Idaho.
 
Crystal Wilson, Class 36, who works for Dairy West, recently completed a Gallup's Accelerated Strengths Coaching course. In a few weeks, Crystal will take the exam and complete six coaching sessions, and once she has passed the exam, she will be a certified Gallup's Strengths Coach.
 
LIA GRADUATES don't just remain in Idaho after completing the LIA program. Here is a list of the states where LIA graduates currently reside:
Washington - 38
Oregon - 22
Utah - 10
California - 6
Montana - 5
Arizona - 4 
North Dakota - 4
Colorado - 2
Iowa - 2
Maryland - 2
Tennessee - 2
 
Connecticut, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin join the ranks with one graduate in each state.
 
REMEMBER... dues for LIA are payable NOW. The new 2018-2019 LIA Directory is at the printer! As soon as they arrive, they will be mailed to all Lifetime and alumni members along with the first LIA Foundation Annual Report. Be sure your dues are paid in order to receive your copy of both. You can pay your dues online at www.leadershipidahoag.org/membership.
 
The U of I CALS recently held their Alumni Awards Luncheon. Being honored at that event were: Joe Anderson, Class 9, from Genesee for "Distinguished Alumni" and Joe Stewart, Class 16, from Nampa for "Distinguished Associate". Another recipient of the award was Mary Lee Wood for "Distinguished Retiree". Mary Lee was a Friend of LIA award winner in 2002 and taught a number of classes on workstyle personality traits for LIA participants through the years.