Congratulations to Clark Tacke, Class 37, and his wife, Sara, on the birth of their son Carsten Earl on November 15. Clark farms in the Cottonwood area and left home at 1:15 am for a fast trip to Lewiston hospital where Carsten was born at 2:32 am. Clark says, "He came in a hurry! And probably was just anxious to meet his brothers Corbyn, Cael, and Cieran" - whom Clark refers to as the "boy tribe of Tackes."
 
Congratulations to Brenna Christison, Class 37, who became engaged in early November to Greg Smith. Brenna continues her employment with the Idaho Wine Commission.
 
Congratulations to Dave Duvall, Class 35, and his wife, Rachelle, on the birth of Ariel Nadine on November 2 at 9 lbs. 4 oz. Dave works as Assistant Water Superintendent for Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District.
 
Maggie Malson, Class 39, was elected to serve on the Idaho Cattle Association Board of Directors as the Idaho Cattlewoman Representative. The two-year term began in November 2019 at ICA's Annual Convention and Trade Show. Maggie is an agricultural communications professional sharing the story of farmers and ranchers through writing, photography, and social media. She also works alongside her husband, Josh, raising purebred cattle at Malson Angus & Herefords outside of Parma. 
 
Congratulations to Richard Durrant, Class 9, who received a Distinguished Service Award from the Idaho Wheat Commission at a recent Tri-state meeting held in Spokane.
 
Congratulations to Justin Place, Class 37, who was recently elected to the Executive Board for the Idaho Grain Producers. Justin joins other LIA alumni on the board including: Vice President Lucas Spratling, Class 36; Ty Iverson, Class 24; and Past President Matt Mosman, Class 34.
 
Congratulations to Sarah Baker, Class 34, who was presented a Distinguished Service Award for Idaho by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.
 
Rick Pearson, Class 21, farms near Buhl and was recently selected as the #1 Producer in the Nation for production of irrigated winter wheat, producing 211 bushels per acre.
 
Gretchen Hyde, Class 36, and Rochelle Oxarango, Class 12, are proud daughters of Jim Little who was recently presented a Distinguished Associate Award by the U of I College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Gretchen and husband, Bob, are also busting with pride over their son, Luke, who was named "Hometown Player of the Game" by the U of I Vandals. Luke is a graduating senior this year at the U of I.
 
Sympathy is extended to the family of Tom McCaughey, Class 11, who passed away on November 13, losing a long battle with cancer. Tom worked for Glanbia Nutritionals at the time he went through LIA.
 
Congratulations to Lori Satterwhite-Turner, Class 36, who recently applied for graduate school at the University of Idaho. Lori is currently employed by Simplot Land and Livestock.
 
Anticipate some change in the life of John Wright, Class 37, who recently sold his dairy, cows, and equipment. He is not ready to use the "R" word, so he is just relocating his priorities. John was also President of Idaho Milk Producers Association and on the board of the Idaho Milk Products Commission. He resigned from both positions after selling his operation. Thanks, John, for your leadership in Idaho's number one agriculture industry!
 
Sympathy is also extended to Frank "Flip" Phillips, Class 3, in the passing of his father, Bud Phillips, on November 2. The service was attended by many LIA Alumni. Flip's wife is Susi Larrocea, Class 4, and they are engaged in a farming and ranching operation in Star.
 
At the Regional Event in Moscow, we interviewed CEO of PNW Farmer's Cooperative Bill Newbry. Bill has been a great friend to LIA and has spoken at a number of our regional events in North Idaho since PNW has been a sponsor. Bill is retiring from the company and recently we received the job announcement. Bill asked we share the announcement below with you in hopes there might be some applicants from LIA.
 
Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative (PNW) 
 
PNW's current CEO is retiring after 36 years with the cooperative of which he served as CEO for 24 years. The position reports to a 9-member board of directors plus its independent non-voting advisor.
 
PNW came into existence in 2008 through a merger between Whitman County Growers, Inc. and Genesee Union Warehouse Company. Cooperative Agricultural Producers (CoAg) merged into PNW in June 2017, creating a current storage capacity of 35.5 million bushels. Members number approximately 1,600.  PNW has 45 facilities in locations covering a broad geographic area throughout Whitman and Spokane Counties in Washington State, and Latah, Benewah, and Nez Perce Counties in Idaho. PNW encompasses an extensive grower base from Montana, the Idaho Panhandle, extending to Garfield and Wallowa counties in Washington State, and river and prairie areas in Clearwater and Idaho counties in Idaho. Blessed with rich soil and rainfall conducive to exceptional dry land yields, PNW's trade territory lies in the heart of the most productive wheat, barley, pea, lentil and garbanzo area in the United States.
 
With the corporate office in Genesee, Idaho, patrons and communities are also served in Washington State by offices located in Colfax, Rosalia, Oakesdale, and Fairfield. PNW lies within 30 miles of three ports on the Columbia-Snake River system. Many of its facilities are on state all-weather highways that make year-round loading, shipping and receiving possible. Besides having five legume processing plants and four seed facilities, PNW is also served by a 110-car unit train facility at McCoy Rail Terminal, 26 car unit-train loading facility at Fallon, Washington, a 25-car unit-train loading facility at Thornton, Washington, and a barge terminal, Snake River Terminal (SRT) at Almota, Washington. PNW is also partner in two barge terminals at Lewiston, Idaho (Lewis Clark Terminal Association, or LCTA) and Central Ferry, Washington (Central Ferry Terminal Association, or CFTA). Members benefit from the convenient train and barge loading receiving stations as well as marketing opportunities because of access to different modes of transportation.
 
Candidates must demonstrate extensive knowledge of the grain industry from field to export, agronomy, grain and specialty crop varieties, quality factors, state, federal, and global regulations. Must be well grounded in grain trading and/or agricultural commodities marketing techniques and practices.
 
APPLICATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS OF  INTEREST MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 20, 2020.
 
Harvey A. Meier PhD, CMC®, CEO and Board Advisor, Harvey A. Meier Co.
Mobile:  509.458.3210               E-mail:  harvey@hamcosearch.com

Sympathy is extended to Rex Barrie, Class 24, in the passing of his Mother in October. Rex is still serving as Watermaster for Water District #63 in Caldwell.
 
When it rains, it pours for Brenda Thomasson, Class 19, who in early September had a total knee replacement and has scheduled a foot and ankle reconstruction in January 2020. In the midst of all of this, her Mother suffered her sixth heart attack on October 8 and passed away on October 25 in Ludell, KS. Brenda is employed at ISDA in Boise.
 
Brian Dixon, Class 38, passed away on Monday, November 4, in Salt Lake City. Brian bravely fought leukemia over the past few years. The memorial service for Brian was on Saturday, November 9, in Idaho Falls. Several LIA graduates were present along with Rick and Dorita Waitley. Brian was a first cousin to Aubrey Hoxie, Class 34, and to Megan Paez, Class 35. Sympathy cards may be sent to Brian's wife, Kylie, and son, Sawyer (age 3), at 2900 Linda Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83402.
 
Congratulations to Mike Wilkins, Class 40, who has recently been appointed by Governor Brad Little to serve as a Commissioner for the Idaho Barley Commission. Mike farms in the Rupert area.
 
Special thanks to Aric Frostenson, Class 35, and Kyle Wangemann, Class 36. Both are currently serving as Trustees for the LIA Foundation as well as co-chairs for Class 40.
 
Jarom Jemmett, Class 39, had thyroid surgery on November 13. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
 
Congratulations to Drew Eggers, Class 12, who celebrated his retirement from farming at a special reception hosted by his family on Thursday, November 7. Many LIA friends came from near and far to celebrate this milestone. Drew remains active in a number of areas and will continue to attend many LIA events and activities in the future.
 
Excitement is building as we anticipate the 1000th LIA graduate since the first class in 1986. You will want to join the celebration at LIA Class 40 graduation on Friday, February 28, at The Red Lion.
 
Congratulations to Clinton Pline, Class 5, and to Brad Hoaglun, Class 16, for winning their November elections! Clinton was re-elected to the Board of Directors for Nampa & Meridian Irrigation District. Brad was elected to the Meridian City Council. Brad had served on the Council in the past and decided to run again since his current job at Mission Aviation Fellowship in Nampa affords him the opportunity to serve his location community.
 
Class 40 has some great LIA Alumni connections. Stephanie Duckett is the wife and ranch partner of Adam Duckett, Class 33; Mike Meyers is the brother of Kirk Meyers, Class 36; Leah Reed is the spouse and farm partner with Alex Reed, Class 35. The class has one father and son duo with Dave Reynolds and son, Mac Reynolds. Dave farms and dairies in the Kuna area and his son, Mac, works for PNW Farmers Co-op.
 
Something new this year at each of the LIA sessions! Chobani Yogurt, Twin Falls, has agreed to provide a variety of flavors of yogurt for breaks at the sessions. Also, the Idaho Beef Council is sponsoring the meat for each of the Regional Event locations. The theme is wrapped around Beef. It's What's for Dinner. At each event the recipe will be provided to all of those attending so you can continue to enjoy these delicious dishes in your own home. In Moscow, the feature was a Mediterranean Pot Roast. If you would like a copy of the recipe, drop Rick an email at rick@amgidaho.com and we will send you one.
 
We have lost our presenter for the Dress for Success portion of the LIA program. If there is an alumnus who has expertise in clothing for men and women and would like to make this presentation, please contact Rick ASAP. It is an important part of the core curriculum for LIA and we are actively looking for possible presenters.
 
The U of I College of Ag and Life Sciences Dean's Advisory Board met in Moscow on Friday, November 1. The board is composed of representatives from industries across Idaho. Many of the members are LIA alumni including: Joe Anderson, Class 22, member-at-large; Mary Hasenoehrl, Class 17, CARET representative; Katie Mosman Wilson, Class 39, Agriculture and Extension Education Advisory Committee; Rick Naerebout, Class 23, Agriculture Economics and Rural Sociology Advisory Committee; Pat Purdy, Class 30, CARET representative; Ritchey Toevs, Class 2, Food Producers of Idaho representative, also serving as Chairman of the Board.
 
Thanks to alumni and friends who stepped forward and sponsored events in Moscow Session, including:
 
Session sponsors:
Northwest Farm Credit Services
PNW Farmers' Cooperative
 
Meal sponsors:
Northwest Farm Credit Services
Ridgeview Farms
John Bohman, Class 30
Kyle Osborn, Class 38
 
Breaks:
Ag 4 Idaho LLC - Karleen Meyer, Affiliate
Members of Class 35 in Memory of Samantha Ramsay
Odberg Farms, Eric Odberg, Class 11
 
The Vandal Trolley for the tour:
U of I CALS
 
If you would like to be sponsor, please take a moment to fill out the attached form and return it to the LIA office for one of the remaining three sessions. We appreciate your support!