DNMP team tests new field inspection tools

Chery Sullivan
Dairy Nutrient Management Program

DNMP staffers Nina Gibson (center), and Kyree Flege 
(right), try out an Argos meter, which measures nitrogen, 
while farmer Dave Wesen looks on.

Dairy farmer Dave Wesen graciously hosted WSDA’s Dairy Nutrient Management Program (DNMP) in July so we could test new field tools for our work to protect water quality. We used some of the soil and manure on Dave’s farm in Bow, Washington, in exchange for test results. 

To test the Argos meter, Kyrre Flege, supervisor and regulatory lead, dipped some manure from the farm’s lagoon and carefully poured a measured amount into a small black tube with an attached pressure gauge. He added a small amount of reagent, which is a substance used to detect or measure a component – in this case, nitrogen. 

Inspector Nina Gibson gently mixed the concoction. As the pressure built in the tube, it gave us an estimate of pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 gallons of manure. 

Technical and compliance specialist Michael Isensee
digs up a soil sample with a shovel to compare
results with using a slim soil probe. Inspector Dan
Sulak stands by, wondering what’s taking him so long.

The DNMP team also tested a probe by installing it in a roadside ditch. This tool logs water conductivity and temperature and can help us tell the story of nutrients flowing through a water body. 

Our soil testing tools included a slim, stainless steel probe, which efficiently pulls a one-foot deep soil sample. We can do the same thing with a good old-fashioned shovel, but it takes more work and digs up a lot more soil. 

DNMP appreciates our partners in the dairy production industry who are helping us improve testing measures that may provide better feedback allowing them to manage their on-farm manure and keep our state’s water clean.

Editor’s Note: My thanks to Chery Sullivan and the DNMP team for sharing their program activities with WSDA staff through the Insider. If your program has ideas for staff features, please contact Kathy Davis, internal communications coordinator. 

In summary: WSDA’s Dairy Nutrient Management team were hosted on a dairy farm to test out some new field inspection tools which could improve feedback to farmers, allowing them to manage manure and keep state waters clean. 

Newest WSDA office opens in Bellingham

Chery Sullivan
Dairy Nutrient Management Program

As the first guest at the open house,
Meagan Harris, Whatcom Conservation
District’s water quality data coordinator,
got the prized cow desk phone.

The Northwest Regional Dairy Nutrient Management Program (DNMP) team has settled in to new office space in Bellingham. On July 30, we hosted an open house, inviting our WSDA and community partners to drop in and see the new digs. 

The space at 1111 W. Holly Street has workstations for staff featuring views of the bay and sounds of the passenger and freight trains directly below. 

This is also meant to be a touchdown space for any WSDA colleagues who need a place to stop in and work in Bellingham. We have a big screen and conference area to accommodate meetings. 

The first guest at our open house was Meagan Harris, Whatcom Conservation District’s water quality data coordinator. As such, she earned the first-guest award – a cow desk phone that moos when it rings. She was thrilled!

The new office space in Bellingham features staff workstations that look out
over the bay and railroad tracks below.

Other guests from conservation district and Whatcom County Public Works Water Quality Program dropped in. 

They took advantage of snacks and some unstructured time to chat with the DNMP team – Kerri Love, Kyrre Flege, Dan Sulak, and Michael Isensee. 

The regional team misses being neighbors with the county conservation district in Lynden. But they are grateful for the new space which allows for bike-commuting to the office and is closer to meetings that help us with our work. 

If you want to visit, please reach out to Michael Isensee, 360-961-7412. 

In summary: WSDA’s Dairy Nutrient Management Program Northwest Region team has settled into new office space in Bellingham. The team welcomes other WSDA colleagues who have business in the area to drop in for work or meetings. 

Three win prizes in latest QUICK Award drawing

Kathy Davis
Communications

Three WSDA employees became eligible to select a prize because their names were randomly selected in the recent QUICK Awards drawing. Across the agency, employees handed out 30 awards* to their coworkers.

Kim Urquhart

QUICK Awards are presented by employees who see their peers demonstrating good work and service to others – either inside or outside the agency. Here are the prize recipients from the most recent quarterly drawing.

Kim Urquhart, Plant Protection, Chemical and Hop Laboratory, Yakima  
Kim followed up with an employee who may not have received their insurance packet at the time of hire. Kim made sure they received and completed it before being defaulted into an insurance plan they may not have wanted. This type of follow-up saves payroll staff time, as well as frustration for the employee.  

Tim Elliott, Plant Protection, Weights and Measures, Olympia

Tim Elliott

During the vacancy of the program manager, Tim kept the team updated on legislative activity with the Weights and Measures fee increase bill. Tim also volunteered to move state gypsy moth trappers’ vehicles between motor pool and Cleveland Lab, among other things he has offered to help do.  

Megan Finkenbinder, Directors Office, Olympia
“A BIG thank you to Megan for arranging coverage of the front reception area so I could attend our staff appreciation lunch! It was awesome! Thank you very much!” – Carol Schmidt, NRB receptionist 

Megan Finkenbinder

September 30 next drawing deadline

When you catch one of your coworkers doing something special for staff or customers, why not let them know with a QUICK Award? You can find the award form on the intranet. Forms are also available from your division coordinator or agency receptionists.

*The lower number of awards this quarter may have been affected by a glitch that caused the online from on our intranet to malfunction for a time. That has been fixed, so feel free to recognize your colleagues with this peer-to-peer award! 

In summary: WSDA staff presented 30 QUICK Awards during the second quarter of 2019. Three of their names were randomly drawn to receive prizes. See who they are and why they were recognized by their colleagues. 

Meet Robin Schoen-Nessa: Learning leader and proud parent

Kathy Davis
Communications

Next up in our Meet the Leaders series is Robin Schoen-Nessa, assistant director of the Pesticide Management Division. She has been with the division for more than 20 years. Starting as a pesticide investigator in 1988, she promoted up through positions with more responsibility. Before being appointed AD, she was manager of the Pesticide Registration and Licensing Program. Robin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in toxicology and environmental health from Western Washington University, and she attended Seattle University School of Law.

As obviously proud as Robin is of her work and her team in the Pesticide Management Division, her biggest source of pride is her two sons, ages 17 and 20.

“They are respectful and hardworking,” she beamed. “I get compliments about them and their character all the time. They are my heart!”

She can take some credit for that outcome. After building a career for 10 years, she opted out of the workforce for eight years to stay home as a full-time parent. 

“I didn’t know if I’d get to come back to my career. That was scary,” Robin said. “I feel really lucky to have been given that opportunity.” 

Happy team = good work

As a leader, Robin describes herself as a “work in progress,” always learning from others around her. 

“I reach out to not only managers and supervisors in Pesticide Management, but also to line staff and other agency colleagues to get the most rounded view and to build ownership from the ground up for the work we do and decisions I make,” she said. 

She said she believes in the notion of “work hard – play hard.” And by play, she does not mean partying. 

“In the new work world, with millennials blending with other generations, lots of workers enjoy activities like hiking, travel, marathons, and so on,” she noted. “So, as long as we can be sure our work gets done, we accommodate things like flexible schedules, teleworking, and extended vacations. 

“A happy team makes for good work and a commitment to the work by employees.” 

Gardening relaxes

Robin with her husband and sons in Alaska, with Denali in the background.

Back on the personal side, Robin’s favorite thing to do is walk on “our beach” at her family’s home near Copalis Rocks. 

Her family likes to travel and explore national and state parks. Last summer, they spent 10 days in Alaska, visiting Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks. They hiked and rode ATVs, trains and ferries, “seeing lots of wildlife by sea and by land,” she said. “It was amazing!”

Robin also loves to cook and garden. 

“As a kid, I used to hate weeding. We had a big garden and yard with lots of chores,” she said. “Now, I love to weed, plant and prune! It’s all relaxing and peaceful to me now.”

We’ve been asking our “Meet the Leaders” profile subjects about the first or weirdest job they’ve held.

Robin’s was “caring for 450 bobwhite quail in undergrad school one summer. I had to feed, water and clip beaks and nails, among other lab duties for toxicology testing,” she explained. 

“Fortunately, I didn’t have to deal with the egg studies – very smelly! Ugh.” 

In summary: Meet the Leaders: Robin Schoen-Nessa reaches out to others to learn and build ownership for decisions. She rounds out life with parental pride and walks on the beach.