Congratulations to Garrett, Class 35, and DJ Tschida on the birth of a son, Wrigley Curtis John Tschida, on August 15, 2019, weighing in at 7 lbs. 2 oz. and 19" long. Garrett works for AgriBeef as a Purebred Herdsman.
 
Congratulations to Josh, Class 32, and Ashlie Rubel on the birth of a son, Krew Zachary Rubel, on August 17, 2019, weighing in at 5 lbs. 9 oz. and 19" long. Josh works for his family farming operation, Hartman Farms, near Parma.
 
Congratulations to Mike, Class 12, and Shelley Hamby on the birth of a granddaughter, Sloane, born in May, to their daughter and son-in-law, Madison and Ken Miles. Mike farms with his son in the Parma area.
 
Congratulations to Grandpa Rich Garber, Class 2, on the birth of a second granddaughter, Avelene, on August 4. "Avie" was born to Rich's son Ryan and wife, Thaona, who live and work in McCall. Let's just say that Grandpa Rich is keeping Highway 55 hot with travel to see that new granddaughter.
 
Congratulations to Lucas, Class 36, and Laurie Spratling on the birth of Orlin Paul Spratling on August 23. Orlin weighed in at 5 lbs. 12 oz. and was 19" long. Lucas farms in the family operation near Raft River.
 
Sympathy is extended to Aric Frostenson, Class 35, who serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the LIA Board of Trustees. Aric's younger brother, Andy, was killed in a tragic airplane accident in Ontario, OR, August 9. Please continue to support Aric and Michelle and his extended family with prayer and encouragement.
 
Sympathy is extended to daughter Robin Lindquist, Class 21, son-in-law Craig Lindquist, Class 31, and granddaughter Alise Erickson, Class 34, on the passing of James Renwick Wylie III on Sunday, August 18. Jim was 90 years old and a graduate of LIA Class 22, a lifetime LIA member and had participated in the DC. Experience in 2007. Jim loved Leadership Idaho Agriculture and was a frequent attendee at many LIA events each year.
 
Sympathy is also extended to Scott Jensen, Class 21, on the passing of his mother-in-law.
 
Leadership Idaho Agriculture Foundation just completed hosting eight Congressional Aides from Washington, DC on a weeklong visit to Idaho, August 9-12. Many of the presenters were affiliated with LIA. Brad Griff, Class 36, was the tour coordinator and handled day-to-day operations of the tour. Presenters on the tour included: Joe Stewart, Class 16; Brett Lolley, Class 28; Scott Koberg, Class 24; Michelle Gooding, Class 38; Doug Gross, Class 7; and Brenna Christison, Class 37. One of the evening BBQ's was held at the home of Lorell Skogsberg, Class 22. A noon luncheon was held at Sawtooth Winery, founded by Brad Pintler, Class 4. Throughout the tour, a number of LIA alumni joined the guests on the bus or at meal events. The list of those joining included: David Claiborne, Class 37; Tobin Dixon, Class 39; Mark Duffin, Class 22; Julie Eavenson, Class 18; Drew Eggers, Class 12; Candi Fitch, Class 28; Glenn Gray, Class 9; Patti Harris, Class 26; Alan Heikkila, Class 13; Ronda Hirnyck, Class 9; Jarom Jemmett, Class 39; Terry Jones, Class 21; Benjamin Kelly, Class 29; Curt Krantz, Class 13; Dennis Merrick, Class 39; AJ Mondor, Class 36; Stephen Parrott, Class 39; Cody Reynolds, Class 28; Jen Root, Class 35; Dick Rush, Affiliate Member; Katie Strittmatter, Class 32; Mike Thornton, Class 12; Heather Tiel-Nelson, Class 24; Jennifer Uranga, Class 37; Rick Waitley, Class 8; Craig Whitted, Class 34; Blair Wilson, Class 11; and Nic Wittman, Class 39.
 
Wedding bells rang on Saturday, August 24 for the daughter of Leah Clark, Class 26. Lauren married Dr. Tyler Bell, a large animal veterinarian. Both are graduates of Oklahoma State University. Officiating at the wedding was LIA Executive Director Rick Waitley. The wedding was held in Stanley, Idaho.
 
The Idaho Ag Summit Governor's Award committee for Excellence in Agriculture met and selected the five award winners. Those connected to LIA include: Boyer Farms, where Buck Boyer, Class 29, is an owner with his father and grandfather, selected in the area of Marketing Innovation; Wayne Hurst, Class 13, selected in the area of Education/Advocacy; and Dave Mosman, Class 12, selected in the area of Environmental Stewardship.
 
Twin Falls County Fair honored a number of families in the area with The Featured Farm Family Award sponsored by Food Producers of Idaho. Those honored that have ties to LIA included: Winecup L Cattle, LLC, Bill Lickley, Class 25, and his wife, Laurie, LIA Affiliate Member; Ramseyer Farms, owner/operator Dave Ramseyer, Class 14; and Wayne Hurst Farms, owner/operator Wayne Hurst, Class 13.
 
Congratulations to Drew Eggers, Class 12, who was recently appointed to the Meridian Cemetery Board of Commissioners. Drew will join Dean Langley, Class 9 who was recently elected Chairman of the Board and LIA Executive Director Rick Waitley who has served on the board for a number of years.
 
Kim O'Neill, Class 27, and daughter, Stella, are on the move. Kim has accepted a position as Associate Vice President of Development at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX starting September 3. Kim has spent the last 20 years in the Palouse while in school at WSU and later employed by the U of I as Associate Vice President of Development.
 
Congratulations to Dr. Rhett Spear, Class 37, who was recently hired by U of I CALS for a potato variety development position.  Rhett earned a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Washington State University in May 2015.  He has worked with McCain Foods USA for the past four years as an agronomist.   Rhett will be working out of the Kimberly and Aberdeen Research and Experiment Stations. Rhett served as a co-chairman for LIA Class 38
 
Keeping praying. Brian Dixon, Class 38, has been in Salt Lake for a number of weeks related to re-occurring leukemia. Brian's treatments and recovery has given him a negative test for leukemia at this time and he has been approved for a bone morrow transplant. Brian just returned from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake this week and will be going through a battery of tests to determine if all elements are in place for the transfer. Brian's wife, Kylie, has continued with her teaching and their son, Sawyer, has patiently waited for Dad to get better. Brian first discovered the leukemia when he was in college.
 
MONDAY, September 16 is the deadline for a deposit to participate in the First LIA State Exchange to the Port of Morrow in Boardman, OR. A flyer was mailed to all LIA alumni about details of this three-day adventure - September 23-25. Please let us know, sooner than later, if you plan to attend so we can be sure we have room on the bus and room reservations made for overnight lodging. Spouses are welcome to attend along with other guests, if interested. Details of registration and fees are online at www.leadershipidahoag.org or call the LIA office in Meridian at 208-888-0988.
 
DIRECTORY: We are getting ready to go to print on the 2019-2020 LIA Alumni Directory. This is the last appeal for you to get your information into chyla@amgidaho.com for it to be up-to-date in the directory for the next year.

Recently at a meeting of the Idaho Ag Summit Planning Committee, two LIA alumni stepped up to fill in positions that were vacant. Blair Wilson, Class 11, will be serving as co-chairman for the 2020 Ag Summit and Leah Clark, Class 26, agreed to serve as chairman of the Governor's Award Selection Committee. Both have been past co-chairman for the Summit and will do an excellent job.
 
Wedding bells rang for Bryce Durrant, Class 39 and his bride, Carly Chandler, on June 21 in Meridian. A nice reception was held in the evening with several LIA Alumni present to celebrate the big day with Bryce and Carly. Bryce is employed in the family farming and seed milling operations at Big D Farms south of Meridian.
 
Class 39 has done well by weddings this summer with Dain Johnson, Class 39, marrying Bethany Kircher on June 22 in Caldwell. Dain works in his family's custom farming operation and also during the legislature as a lobbyist for AMG, specifically with Roger Batt.
 
Congratulations to State Representative Clark Kauffman, Class 13, who will be the next vice-chairman of the Council of State Government West. Kauffman was interviewed by the Nominating Committee's 12 members and accept as the person to fill the leadership role which should eventually result in him being chairman of the organization in 2022. The non-partisan organization represents western legislatures of AL, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY and the Pacific Islands of American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.
 
Congratulations to Annie Inks, Class 35, and husband, Daniel, on the birth of Audrey Rose, Monday, July 29. Annie works for Agri-Beef in Boise but will take some time off to adjust to life as a new mother.
 
Congratulations to Lance Hedler, Class 35, who received his Bachelor's of Science in Business Management from Western Governors University. Lance completed the online program while still working full-time at CHS Primeland.
 
Scheduled this summer have been several LIA Alumni Regional events that were held around the state. In attendance were:
 
West Magic Valley - Twin Falls (thanks to the coordinator of Kali Sherrill, Class 27) RoLynne Hendricks, Class 33, Alex Reed, Class 35, Russ De Kruyf, Class 28, Mike Aardema, Class 19, Ron Jones, Class 2, Kali Sherrill, Class 27, Rick Pearson, Class 21, Aric Frostenson, Class 35 and Linda Rider, Class 22.
 
East Magic Valley - Heyburn (thanks to the coordinator Travis Lammers, Class 34) Blake Matthews, Class 36, Travis Lammers, Class 34, Tyler Cranney, Class 36, Michael Ottley, Class 39, Aria Spear, Class 39 and Dan Davidson, Class 38.
 
North Idaho - Winchester (thanks to the coordination of Jared Everson, Class 39) Jennifer, Class 37, Marty Lux, Class 38, Doug Scoville, Class 6, Jared Everson, Class 39, Alan Martinson, Class 27, Eric Gjevre , Class 26 and Megan Snyder, Class 38.
 
Treasure Valley - Meridian (thanks to hosts, Rick and Dorita Waitley) Robin Wylie Lindquist, Class 21, Craig Lindquist, Class 31, Ron Abramovich, Class 28, Josh Bevan, Class 33, Scott Calhoun, Class 30, Leah Clark, Class 26, Kip Dennis, Class 19, Julie Eavenson, Class 18, Drew Eggers, Class 12, Candi Fitch, Class 28, Kyra Gibson, Class 35, Nic Gibson, Class 37, Glen Gray, Class 9, Patti Harris, Class 26, Dain Johnson, Class 39, Benjamin Kelly, Class 29, Nicole Kendall, Class 28, Scott Leibsle, Class 38, Jim Lowe, Class 31, Dennis Merrick, Class 39, AJ Mondor, Class 36, Gordon Obermeyer, Class 14, Kelly Olson, Class 16, Stephan Parrott, Class 39, Lorell Skogsberg, Class 22, Katie Strittmatter, Class 32, Rob Troxel, Class 14, Rick Waitley, Class 8, Jane Waldher, Class 35, Craig Whitted, Class 34, Blair Wilson, Class 11, Bob Hays, Class 28, Wayne Thiessen, Affiliate, Alan Heikkila, Class 13, Brad Griff, Class 36 and Jeff Groat, Class 13.
 
Recently the LIA Board of Trustees approved a number of LIA Alumni who have agreed to serve as regional coordinating members and advisors to the Alumni Activities Committee within the structure of standing committees of the LIA Board of Trustees. Those appointed at the July meeting of the Trustees held in Twin Falls included: Art McIntosh,Class 31, Kip Dennis,Class 19, Charlie Bryan,Class 10, Scott Calhoun,Class 30, Robin Lindquist, Class21, Logan Schmidt, Class 37, Rebecca Rutan, Class 33, Steve Smith, Class 35, Heather Tiel Nelson,Class 24, Nic Wittman Class 39.
 
DIRECTORY UPDATE DUE: This is the last call for you to review your entry in the LIA Alumni Directory! If you have not already done so, please follow the simple steps sent to you via email.