Congratulations to Monica, Class 42, and Kody, Class 43, Youree and Joe Harper, Class 26, who were named Featured Farm Families at Twin Falls County Fair. You can find the other winners and write ups about each at:
https://www.foodproducersofidaho.org/featured-farm-families.html

Jerry Neufeld, Class 19, recently announced his retirement from U of I Extension effective October 31, 2022. Jerry has been located in Canyon County for the past 23 years and spent 11 years prior to that working in Nevada also for extension. Jerry has served in the area of crop science. 

James Boggan, Class 40, recently left Simplot Land and Livestock where he was Rangeland Monitoring Specialist, to return to the family farm in Riggins and will also be serving as the Ag Teacher at the Salmon River School District High School located in Riggins. 
 
Congratulations to Kevin Osborn, Class 33, elected as President of the Idaho Eastern Oregon Seed Association at their summer meeting. Kevin is employed at Allied Seeds. 

Congratulations to Matt, Class 29, and Kristie, Class 35, Dorsey whose oldest son Wyatt was recently married.
 
Congratulations to Bill, Class 25, and Laurie, Affiliate Member, Lickley on the recent marriage of their daughter Valene to John Cauhorn.
 
Congratulations to Flip Phillips, Class 3, and Susi Larrocea, Class 4, on the marriage of their daughter, Argia to Jake Berard on September 24. Brother, Patxi Larrocea Phillips, Class 41, officiated the ceremony.
 
Congratulations to Cedric Nwafor, Honorary Alumni Member, and wife Yefon on the birth of their second daughter, Zuri, August 19 weighing 8 pounds and 2.2 oz. Zuri joins older sister Kelani.
 
Sympathy is extended to Terry Ketterling, Class 9, on the passing of his mother Nancy Ann Ketterling. Also, to Tony Ketterling, Class 31, and Launa Fowler, Class 32, grandchildren of Nancy.
 
Sympathy sent to Shawn Boyle, Class 41, and his family on the recent passing of his father Terry Boyle.
 
Sympathy sent to Ron Jones, Class 2, and his wife Carol on the recent passing of Carol’s mother Eunice Pearson at the age of 92 who resided in Twin Falls.
 
Sympathy is extended to Mandi Thompson, Class 19, on the recent passing of her father, Don Johnson.

Selection of LIA Class 43: We are off and running with LIA Class 43. Click the button below to see the listing of those who have been selected. Orientation will happen for most of the class the first week of October. If you are interested in financially supporting any member of the class, please let the LIA office know.

Interested in serving on the Auction Committee? The LIA Auction Committee is beginning the process of planning for the 2023 event in February. If you would like to join the Auction Committee, please submit your name to rick@amgidaho.com and we will add you to the committee.
 
REMEMBER: Dues for 2022-2023 are payable now. Call Patty at 208-888-0988 to pay over the phone or go online and fill out the dues form. This is for annual or lifetime dues.
 
Information for the 2022-2023 LIA Alumni Directory is due NOW so we can get your current information updated for the new directory to be produced later this fall.

It was exciting when Mark, Class 11, and Wendy, Class 35, Pratt’s daughter Anna announced her engagement and marriage to Cole Lickley, son of Bill, Class 25, and Laurie, Affiliate Member, Lickley. However, it did not even compare to the birth of Anna and Cole’s son, Lou Pratt Lickley, born July 25. Get in line to hold Lou if any of the grandparents are in proximity.

Congratulations to Karma Metzler Fitzgerald, Class 41, who was appointed by Governor Little to serve on the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism for a term 2022-2025. Karma is a candidate for the Idaho Legislature in District 26.

Neil Durrant, Class 34, and chairman of the LIA Board of Trustees has announced his candidacy for the Ada County Highway District. The election will take place in November. Neil is involved in the family farming operation Big D Ranches south of Meridian.

Congratulations to Jared, Class 40, and Amanda Ashcraft on the birth of Porter Jared Ashcraft, August 3, weighing in at 9 lbs and 12 oz and 20.5 inches long. Porter now makes the score 3 boys and 2 girls and Jared says “life is just one big party.”

Congratulations to Jessica Anderson, Class 41, recently named a finalist for the Boise Young Professionals Award. Jessica is employed at Amalgamated Sugar Company. 

Amber Brocke, Class 33, recently became engaged to Curt Cady. Curt works at Lewiston Orchard’s Irrigation District. The couple plan to marry in October. Amber is employed at USDA NRCS as an Area Resource Conservationist. 

Benjamin Kelly, Class 29, also announced his engagement in July. Benjamin will be marrying Rebecca Mann on October 14 in Laguna Beach, California where the couple plan to make their home. Rebecca is a Vice President for Western Union. Benjamin has been employed at AMG for the past 14 years. 

Congratulations to Chelicy, Class 40, and Derek Wanders on the birth of a son, Landon Allen Wanders on July 26. Landon weighed 8 lbs. and 3 oz. and was 21 inches long. He will be joining older sister Juliet.

Sympathy is extended to Tom Ritthaler, Class 40, on the recent passing of his father. Leo and his wife Mary were married for a total of 57 years.

Congratulations to Darcy Helmick, Class 32, and Cole Marney on the birth of Dorothy Mae “Dottie” Marney on Friday, August 5. Her arrival was 11 days after the due date, weighing in over 7 lbs. and 19.5 inches long, with plenty of dark black hair.

What born and raised farm girl would not want to hold her wedding in the center of a wheat field about to be harvested? That was the setting for Kathryn Hartman, Class 41, on July 30 when she married Justin Scott. Kathryn works for Idaho Water Users and Justin is operations manager for Brundage Bone, a concrete pumping company. The couple plan to make their home in Nampa.

Remember, July 1 started the new membership year. Now is the time to pay your annual or lifetime memberships to LIA. Also, it is important you update your information for the LIA Alumni Directory to be published later this summer.

Thanks to Treasure Valley LIA Alumni who attended the Regional Event BBQ at the home of Rick and Dorita Waitley on August 4. It was a great time of fellowship, food and hot weather.
 
NOTE: Due to the Congressional Aides Fact Finding Tour, the last week of August there will not be an LIA LINK call this month. See you in September. We hope Treasure Valley alumni will plan to join us for the tour the week of August 29-September 2. A more formal schedule and reservation form will be sent to you later this week.