The Kuna FFA celebrated their 75th Anniversary as a Chapter on Saturday, June 29. Over 250 parents, members (current and alumni), guests and former advisors attended. Serving on the local Kuna FFA Advisory Board are Richard Durrant, Class 9; Dave Reynolds, Class 40, and Glen Edwards, Class 28. During the evening, special recognition was given to an alumni who had met and married their fellow FFA sweetheart and who have been married the longest. Winning the distinction was Greg Curtis, Class 31, and his wife Joann. Greg is general manager of Nampa/Meridian Irrigation District. Rick Waitley, Class 8, was recognized as one of the 19 former and present FFA Advisors for the chapter. Rick taught there 1973-1977. 
 
In the spotlight recently was Josh Rubel, Class 32, and Jeff Hartman, Class 34, who were interviewed about their farming operation in a special insert in an Idaho Power publication entitled "Powering our Agriculture Community". Josh and Jeff farm together on the family operation Hartman Farms in the Parma area. 
 
Zach Hasenoehrl, Class 36, recently changed jobs and joined HUB International Insurance. Zach will be based in the Cottonwood office and be servicing their agriculture customers on the Camas Prairie. 
 
Congratulations to LIA Trustees and Officers elected by the LIA alumni members: Katie Mosman, Class 39, was elected for the first time for a three year term. Katie and her husband Chris Wilson live in Grangeville. Katie works for the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance as the Lead Subject Matter Expert. Elected for an additional three year term was Will Ricks, Class 27, who farms in the Monteview area of Eastern Idaho and Nic Wittman, Class 39, who works for Amalgamated Sugar Company in Rupert. Elected as officers for the coming year: Chairman Malia Miller, Class 36; Vice Chairman Travis Lammers, Class 34; Secretary-Treasurer Nic Wittman, Class 39; and Past Chairman, Neal Durrant, Class 34.

Congratulations to Nate McBride, Class 42, who was recently appointed to the Potatoes USA’s Board of Directors and will be serving a three year term. Nate is employed by Mart Producer in Rupert where he works as a field representative for the company. 

Sympathy and support is extended to Ben Jantz, Class 33, in the recent passing of his wife Lori. Ben owns and operates Jantz Farms LLC outside of Nampa. 

Nav Ghimire, Class 38, has recently accepted a position at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He will be serving as the Associate Dean of Extension. Nav was employed by the U of I as Associate Director of Extension for CALS. 

Dues notices were sent to all LIA Alumni that are not lifetime members around July 1. You can complete the form and return it to our office or you can go online at www.leadershipidahoag.org and pay your annual or lifetime dues. We look forward to maintaining your name on our membership roster.
 
The 2024-2025 LIA Alumni Directory is currently under review and update as we go into this new fiscal year of operation. Please help us with updated information on current employment, positions of leadership and involvement, or any change in contact information. There are additional details on how to do that at the bottom of this brief. If you have questions send an email to [email protected]. We would appreciate all information before July 30, 2024.
 
Be sure and catch the article entitled “Serving The Community: A Clark Family Legacy" in the latest Idaho Proud edition. The article features a father-son LIA alumni team. Roger Clark, Class 13, serves as a Jefferson County Commissioner and farms with his two sons. Adam Clark, Class 38, is actively involved with his father and brother Alan. Adam serves as president of the board for Valley Wide Cooperative. Brother Alan is an LIA wannabe – but is very active in Idaho Farm Bureau events, serving as Jefferson County Farm Bureau president and as chairman of the American Farm Bureau Promotion and Education committee. They are truly servants in their community and great advocates for agriculture. 

The LIA State Exchange will be to Georgia this year - September 21-27. For more details about the trip, tuition, scholarships, bringing guests, etc., contact Kendra Dustin, LIA Development Director at 208-859-6780 or email [email protected]. 

Applications for Class 45 are due August 1. All of the application process is online at www.leadershipidahoag.org. If you have complications or need assistance, contact Sarah Freeman on Monday’s by calling 208-888-0988 or via email at [email protected].
 
This is the time of the year that we are accepting sign-ups of alumni to serve on various committees that operate within the structure of LIA. If you would like to volunteer for a committee, please send an email to [email protected]. Here is a list of the committees and a short description:
 
LIA Golf: Event happens the first part of June in the Magic Valley. This is the planning committee for the event which includes Hole Sponsors, coordination of activities, registration, actual execution of the event on a Thursday in June. Meetings are usually held via zoom March – May.
 
LIA Auction: Event happens on Wednesday evening in conjunction with the Boise Session for the current class. Many of you have attended and know very well the various aspects of the auction. Meetings take place in November – February in person or by zoom. 
 
Ag Summit Planning Committee: The Summit happens on President’s Day and Tuesday of the Boise Session. The Planning Committee lays out the theme and selected topics and speakers. Plus the committee is also involved with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Agriculture. 

Now is the time to review your entry in the LIA Alumni Directory!
Please click the button below and follow these simple steps to confirm or change your information:
 
 – Click "View Draft Directory" and READ your entry carefully.
 – If changes are needed, fill out the form online and submit it*.
 – If your information is correct, send a direct email to [email protected] (or respond to this email) stating, "No Changes" along with your name.
 
*Fields left blank will repeat what is in the draft
 
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY UPDATED YOUR ENTRY THIS YEAR, DISREGARD THIS REQUEST
 
View Draft Directory

 
We are on LinkedIn! If you're a graduate, please be sure to add "Recognized Graduate" to your list of Licenses & Certifications on your LinkedIn profile.
Follow us HERE