Cody Reynolds, Class 28, sent an email for an update on his professional career. Cody has been at Syngenta for several years but is currently employed at CW Agronomy, LLC and NW Biologic. Cody continues to live in the Treasure Valley.
Congratulations to Tay Brackett, Class 43, and husband Jared, who welcomed a new son, Jace Burr, on March 7. You can keep the Bracketts in your thoughts and prayers as they work through the adoption process in the next couple of months. Jared and Tay own and operate Antelope Springs Ranch near Filer. Congratulations to Terry Helms, Class 19, who has been elected as President of NW Certified Crop Advisors board of directors for a two-year term. Terry is employed with Simplot Grower Solutions as an agronomist. Changing jobs, but still with irrigation, is Mark Zirschky, Class 32, who was with Pioneer Irrigation district for 31 years. Mark has assumed a role as District Manager of the Boise River Flood Control District. Congratulations to Cristina Machado, Class 44, who recently was named Operations Manager at Latitude 42 Farms, where she has been employed. Sympathy is extended to Cedric Nwafor, Honorary LIA Member, whose father passed away in Africa recently. Cedric resides in Hagerstown, MD. Sympathy is extended to Jeff Williams, Class 10, who recently suffered the loss of his mother. Jeff lives in the Sun Valley area and is the retired CEO of Glanbia Nutritionals. KTVB Channel 7 TV, located in Boise, recently sponsored a “7 Listens” event dedicated to learning more about issues facing agriculture. Participants were from a variety of areas, including production ag, farm organizations and commodity groups. LIA Alumni were present in the group: Richard Durrant, Class 9, Vice President, Idaho Farm Bureau; Jarom Jemmett, Class 39, President of Idaho Onion Growers’ Assn; Matt Dorsey, Class 29, production agriculture; Ron Bitner, Class 3, owner of Bitner Winery; Laura Wilder, Class 38, Administrator Idaho Barley Commission; and Rick Waitley, Class 8, Executive Director of Food Producers of Idaho. The group spent two hours discussing a variety of issues facing the industry – specifically in the Treasure Valley. Congratulations to Jarom Jemmett, Class 39, who was recently re-elected as President of Idaho Onion Growers’ Association and to Brennan Gabiola-Harris, Class 32, who was recently elected as Vice President. Josh Rubel, Class 32, was elected for another two-year term on the board of directors. Idaho Ag Summit happens each February in Boise, and the current LIA class is usually engaged with the Summit. The Summit Planning Committee is looking for additional members. If you would like to be involved in the Summit Planning Committee, please send your name to Rick Waitley, rick@amgidaho.com. Now is the time to sign up for the LIA Golf Tournament that is to be held on Thursday, June 6 in Twin Falls. Details for signing up can be found on the LIA webpage at www.leadershipidahoag.org/golf. Agriculture in the Classroom Summer Workshops for teachers (K-12) are being offered on the following schedule:
Your LIA Board of Trustees just spent two days in a Strategic Planning Session with a facilitator to chart the course for the next five years for the organization. This plan will go from 2024-2029. The trustees celebrated many achievements from the past 5-year plan and express appreciation to many of you, as alumni, who provided your input through questions related to LIA operations via Survey Monkey.
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Congratulations to Travis Jones, Class 28, who was recently named the Executive Director for the Idaho Veterinary Medical Association. Travis, principal of Boise-based Riley Stegner and Associates, will assume the position in June coordinating activities for veterinarians across Idaho.
Sympathy is extended to Aric Frostenson, Class 35, and wife Michelle in the recent passing of Michelle’s father, Aric’s father-in-law. Sympathy is extended to Kyle Wangemann, Class 36, and wife Emily in the recent passing of Emily’s father, Kyle’s father-in-law. The filing deadline for candidates for the Idaho Legislature for the May 21 Primary resulted in seeing some familiar names on the filing list. Laurie Lickley, Affiliate Member has filed to run for the Idaho Senate. Steve Miller, Class 29, has filed to run for a Representative position. Robert Blair, Class 26, has filed to run for a Senate position. Be sure you are registered and make plans to cast your ballot on May 21. Congratulations to Patxi Larrocea-Phillips, Class 41, and wife Alex on the birth of a second daughter, Maitane Morgan born on St. Patrick’s Day weighing 8 lbs. and measuring 19.5” long. Maitane joins big sister Amaia. Also celebrating this birth are grandparents, Suzi Larrocea, Class 4, and Flip Phillips, Class 3. Patxi works at AMG in Meridian as well as farms and ranches on the family operation in Star. Congratulations to Craig Chandler, Class 44, who, on March 4, was named Watermaster for Water District #1 in Eastern Idaho. Water District #1 regulates Idaho surface-water diversions from the Snake River upstream from Milner Dam and also regulates surface-water diversions from Snake River tributaries upstream from the Snake River’s confluence with the Blackfoot River. Rebecca Rutan, Class 33, and husband Dennis celebrated the birth of their second child earlier this year. However, some complications have kept baby Daxton in the hospital with surgeries and procedures. Rebecca and Dennis continue to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. Rebecca is employed at AgWest Farm Credit in Nampa. Class 33 has been very supportive of the Rutan’s and I know Rebecca and Dennis would appreciate your prayers as Daxton faces additional surgeries and spends some more weeks in the hospital. The U of I College of Agricultural and Life Sciences recently recognized several individuals for their contribution and career success. Included in the list was Laura Wilder, Class 38, who was recognized as the Distinguished Associate Alumni. Laura is currently the Administrator of the Idaho Barley Commission but has worked for the Idaho Beef Council and Idaho FFA Foundation through the years. Laura serves as a member of the Dean’s Advisory board as well as a CARET (Council on Agriculture Research, Extension and Teaching) on behalf of CALS. Also recognized was Dr. John Mundt with the Distinguished Retiree Award. Dr. Mundt is not a graduate of LIA, but was a presenter in the Idaho Falls Session on Public Speaking for numerous classes of LIA and served for a period of time as the non-graduate on the LIA Board of Trustees. Congratulations to Rod Endow, Class 13, and wife Janet on recently celebrating their 50th Anniversary. The children recently made a comment about how thankful they were to grow up in a Beaver Cleaver Family environment. Can you help us? We are trying to find updated contact information for any of the following LIA Alumni. Please email office@amgidaho.com if you know their current information.
A new grant secured by the U of I will provide training for beginning ranchers in the NW. The grant was for $479,000 for three years. The regional workshop will be titled “Beef 101: Pacific Northwest Beginning Rancher Development Program.” The goal is to host 6 workshops to hopefully reach around 180 producers each year. The teaching team includes several LIA alumni including: Michael Colle, Class 44, Meranda Small, Class 36, and Audra Cochran, Class 39. Phil Bass, an annual speaker in the Moscow Session, will be leading the team and served as the principal investigator for the grant. |
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March 2024
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