Newly dedicated greenhouse boosts services to nursery, fruit tree industry

Mike Louisell
Communications

It was a great day for WSDA when our agency dedicated its new greenhouse at Prosser on May 11.

Derek Sandison, center, cuts the ribbon to officially open
WSDA's new greenhouse, with project partners. 

To everyone’s relief, the weather cooperated—no rain or strong wind to push over the 10 new event direction signs. After all, the sprawling Washington State University Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center consists of dozens of greenhouses.

Representatives from the fruit tree industry, WSU, and WSDA were on hand as was a radio reporter and writer from the Good Fruit Grower magazine. Rep. Brad Klippert, R-Kennewick, also attended.

Director Derek Sandison congratulated the partners who helped this project come together, including: 

• Current and past WSDA employees who advocated for the 4,800 square-foot greenhouse. 
• Key fruit tree nurseries, including three nursery owners who serve on our Fruit Tree Advisory Committee. 
• WSU staff who supported the greenhouse and actually built it.

For decades, WSDA rented a smaller greenhouse from WSU at their research station. 

“This new, modern greenhouse gives us an increased capacity to test registered mother trees as clean nursery stock at a rate greater than we’ve been able to do in the past,” Derek said. 

Disease-free plant stock

Our new greenhouse, designed by Horticultural Services of Lake Tapps, will be used for indexing fruit trees for harmful plant viruses. Washington is among only a handful of states with such a program. It allows nurseries to offer virus-tested, disease-free stock to orchardists and fruit producers. 

Cindy Cooper and Dr. Lauri Guerra
at the greenhouse dedication. 

The $750,000 greenhouse was built with fees from the WSDA Fruit Tree Certification Program and assessments paid by Washington nurseries that sell fruit trees.

Dr. Lauri Guerra, who manages our greenhouse as coordinator for fruit tree certification, says the greenhouse is a significant tool to improve testing to support industry.

“It allows us more flexibility to test trees throughout the year,” said Lauri, who came to WSDA in 1999 after earning a PH.D in Virology at UC Davis. 

Project achieves fruition

Segun Akinbade, WSDA’s nematode identifier in our Prosser lab, also praised the benefits of the greenhouse which is fully automated and features improved temperature and irrigation controls. Each growing bay is computer-controlled to maintain temperature ranges at which different fruit tree pathogens thrive.

“It was wonderful to see everyone come support the new greenhouse and our certification program,” said Cindy Cooper, manager of the Plant Services Program. Cindy has made numerous trips to Prosser in the past two years to check on this project. 

“We’re lucky to have strong partnerships with industry and WSU. It couldn’t have been a better day.” 

In summary: WSDA’s Plant Services Program culminated years of planning and work by dedicating a brand new greenhouse at the WSU research center in Prosser on May 11. Learn more about the day, the project and the people behind it. 

Seven get prizes in quarterly QUICK Award drawing

Kathy Davis
Communications 

Jorge Contreras

Seven employees became eligible to receive prizes when their names were randomly drawn from staff recognized through our agency’s QUICK Award process. During the first quarter of 2017, colleagues recognized 47 staff members for actions benefitting co-workers, programs and the public. Some individuals received multiple awards, for a total of 53 awards issued.

Prize recipients from Eastern Washington’s drawing were:

• Gary Buckner, Pesticide Management, Yakima, for his great work putting together the compliance program all-staff training (see pic below).
• Jorge Contreras, Plant Protection, Yakima, for assisting a customer on the phone who was not fluent in English. By talking to the person in their native Spanish, Jorge was able to provide them with the needed information. 
• Katie Hartelius, Food Safety and Consumer Services, Yakima, for connecting with the first online compliance training event and her embrace of Lean quality improvements in issuing enforcement. 

Winners drawn from the Western Washington area were:

• Leah Doyle, Plant Protection, Olympia, in recognition of her thankless and non-revocable role as Plant Protection’s financial liaison.
• Ron Hussung, Administrative Services, Olympia, for making the safety program so proactive and motivating safety officers to be out in the field as much as possible. 

  

  Michael Kasraie

• Michael Kasraie, Food Safety and Consumer Services, Olympia, for running extra miles to help in the inventory/storage surplus project that helped the laboratory program.  
• Deanna Painter, Plant Protection, Olympia, for her fantastic ideas, such as the slogan for the new employee appreciation notepads. 

Recognition process

Each quarter all WSDA employees who have received a QUICK peer award from a colleague are automatically entered into a drawing to choose from a list of prizes.

Creating and presenting an award is ‘quick’ and easy. Fill out and submit the form for the drawing online from our intranet. Or, you may print out and complete a hard-copy form (find under forms starting with Q). And paper forms are available from your division coordinator or regional office.

Training at Pesticide Compliance Program all-staff meeting.
Gary Buckner earned a QUICK Award for helping to organize the event.

QUICK stands for Quality, Unity, Innovation, Courtesy and Knowledge. The deadline to enter a co-worker in the next QUICK Awards prize drawing is June 31, 2017.

In summary: Seven employees became eligible to receive prizes when their names were randomly drawn from staff recognized through our agency’s QUICK Award process. Each quarter all WSDA employees who have received a QUICK peer award from a colleague are automatically entered into a drawing to choose from a list of prizes.

Be familiar with the dangers of heat exposure

Robert AmbrizEastern Washington Safety Officer

Summer is coming. With many WSDA employees working outside and interacting with employers who oversee outdoor workers, remember to be alert to the hazards of high summer temperatures. 

Exposure to heat can cause illness and death. The most serious condition is heat stroke, but other illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash, should also be avoided. 

Employers can and should take precautions any time temperatures are high and workers are doing a job that involves physical work. Know the symptoms to watch for and how to protect yourself and others from heat; see lists below.

For more information, see the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration heat illness prevention page.   




Symptoms of heat exhaustion:

• Headache, dizziness, or fainting.
• Weakness and wet skin.
• Irritability or confusion.
• Thirst, nausea, or vomiting.

Symptoms of heat stroke:

• May be confused, unable to think clearly, pass out, collapse, or have seizures.
• May stop sweating.

How you can protect yourself and others:

• Know the signs and symptoms of heat illnesses.
• Monitor yourself; use a buddy system.
• Block out direct sun and other heat sources.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Drink often and before you feel thirsty. Drink water every 15 minutes.
• Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose fitting clothes. 

In summary: Being exposed to high temperatures is a workplace hazard for staff who work outside or in hot facilities. Learn the symptoms of heat-related illness and how to protect yourself and others. 

WSDA safety manager earns statewide Leadership Award

Kathy Davis
Communications

WSDA’s risk and safety manager, Ron Hussung, is being honored with a Leadership Award as part of Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW). Each year, PSRW gives the opportunity for leaders to be recognized for their hard work and accomplishments. The awards program is sponsored by the Secretary of State’s Office and State Human Resources.

Dan Wright (left), with Weights and Measures shows
Ron Hussung how he calibrates scales on a visit to the
WSDA metrology lab. 

Ron joined WSDA in December 2015. Under his leadership, the agency’s employee safety team has raised their focus and visibility with the motto “Your Safety Matters!” They have been proactive in promoting safe practices by shadowing agency employees to learn firsthand about their daily work and the potential hazards they face. 

The team is committed to connecting and communicating with all WSDA staff and have made use of bulletins, articles and blogs. In April, they launched a new quarterly newsletter for employees focused on pertinent safety and wellness information. 

Ron (right) and safety officer Robert
Ambriz apply safety grips to stairs at
the WSDA Cleveland lab. 

Furthermore, Ron led the agency in identifying risks and hazards across divisions to create an enterprise risk management register, aimed at helping us reduce liability and loss by addressing and mitigating our top risks. 

Across all state agencies, 80 people were nominated for the Leadership Award. Ron was among 10 chosen to be honored. He will receive his award at a ceremony in the State Reception Room in the Legislative Building on May 16.

In summary: WSDA’s risk and safety manager, Ron Hussung, is being honored with a Leadership Award as part of Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW).

Recognition week honors all public servants

Kathy Davis
Communications

Since 1985, Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) has honored the men and women who serve this nation as state, federal and local government employees. During the week of May 8-12, WSDA will join the celebration. 

Gov. Jay Inslee, center, with employees at a previous
PSRW celebration event in Olympia.

Remember that state-level events are planned for Olympia on May 10, and in Spokane and the Tri-Cities on May 11. They’ll feature free food (hot dogs!), vendors, speakers and other activities. Look for details on the Secretary of State’s PSRW web page. 

In addition, Director Derek Sandison and Deputy Director Kirk Robinson will take to the road to visit WSDA offices around the state to personally thank staff for all the work you do. 

A couple of special activities are planned in WSDA headquarters, NRB. On Monday, May 8, the Commodities Inspection Division will hold two cake walks at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for chances to win delicious homemade cakes. Yum!

Administrative Services brings back last year’s very popular putt-putt golf tournament on Thursday,

Greg Knight taking his shot
at 2016 putt-putt tournament. 

May 11. Nine office areas will summon their resourcefulness and originality to create each “hole” of the in-office course. Golfers will tee off against their colleagues to demonstrate their skills in this fun, team-building event.

If you are in the NRB, watch for more details about these activities.  

Whether or not you participate in an organized PSRW activity, take a moment to remember how important your daily work is to our customers and all Washingtonians. Thank you for your service!

In summary: From state celebration events in three WA cities to local office events for fun and community building, PSRW is a week to honor the importance of public service to the nation and state.