Communications trailblazer Karla Salp has extraordinary year

Kathy Davis, Communications

Karla Salp on a trip to observe gypsy moth
destruction in the eastern U.S.

WSDA was thrust into the sudden spotlight more than once in the past year. A giant “murder” hornet became a global cultural phenomenon and mystery seeds from China caused a ripple of concern across the U.S. 

Karla Salp, public engagement specialist with the agency’s Communications Office, was at the center of both these high-profile incidents. Her quick, capable response during these pressurized times, as well as her outreach work over the past five years has elevated WSDA’s communication activities, and raised the profile of the agency and the importance of the state’s agriculture industry. 

In recognition of Karla’s impact, Communication Director Hector Castro nominated her for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Communications Award. 

Karla’s was one of only nine nominations received from the 50 states and three territories that are NASDA members. The award went to the Mississippi director of market development for that state’s agricultural branding program. 

“In my view, Karla was the most deserving candidate,” said Hector, with more than a touch of pride. “She has done great work since joining this agency, including her expertise in social media, willingness to acquire new skills that benefit the agency and our communications work, and managing the annual gypsy moth eradication projects.”

Hornet explosion

When the Asian giant hornet story broke, Karla swung into action with an extensive communications plan, including news releases, publications and videos. As the agency’s social media coordinator, she relied heavily on those outreach platforms, and created a Facebook group focused on Asian giant hornet news. 

The public and media frenzy surpassed anything the agency had seen in recent memory. Karla managed dozens of interview requests from local and national reporters, such as CNN, CBS and other national news shows. 

That this was occurring during a pandemic when so many are working from home created unique challenges. 

Karla took an innovative approach by setting up the agency’s first virtual news conference, managing the event by facilitating questions from the dozens of reporters who logged in. 

Mystery seed packets

Hector Castro and Karla in 2018, when WSDA 
hosted the Communication Officers of State 
Departments of Agriculture (COSDA) national
conference in Richland. 

In July, state residents began to report receiving packages from China of seeds they had not order. Karla was among the first agriculture communicators in the country to post about this on Facebook. 

A typical agency Facebook post receives a few hundred views. The seed post has been viewed by more than 30 million and garnered more than 360,000 comments and 650,000 shares. 

Once again, Karla’s phone and email blew up with inquiries from reporters and the public. Working with the Pest Program and USDA, she quickly disseminated guidance for people who had received the seeds. 

“Beyond these two high-profile incidents, Karla’s ability to simultaneously handle a tsunami of media interest, address staff needs, and oversee the agency’s social media platforms demonstrates her work ethic and energy,” Hector noted. 

Expanding audience and awareness

Karla joined WSDA in 2015 to manage communications for the agency’s gypsy moth eradication efforts, which included aerial pesticide applications over parts of Seattle. Her outreach approach and diligent preparation were credited for reducing pushback from residents in the affected areas. 

Since coming onboard, Karla has elevated our social media presence to new levels. She initiated expanding beyond Facebook, Twitter and YouTube by adding Instagram and Flickr accounts. Our Facebook following has grown from 2,000 to over 60,000. 

With her typical sense of down-to-earth humor, Karla recognized the support of the Communications team colleagues.

“As part of my ‘there’s always next year’ non-acceptance speech, I really feel like a nomination for one of us is a nomination for us all,” she said. “I seriously love where I work and – 100 percent – it has to do with working with a top-notch, always-ready-to-help, go-getter team and a fantastic boss.”

Thank you Karla for improving WSDA communications, reaching ever broader audiences to raise awareness about our agency’s work and the importance of agriculture to everyone. 

In summary: Public Engagement Specialist Karla Salp’s quick, capable response during pressurized, high-profile incidents, as well as her outreach work over the past five years has elevated WSDA’s communication activities, and raised awareness of the agency’s work and the importance of Washington agriculture.  

How horses bring joy; pet stories, part 2

 Kathy Davis

Communications

Jessica La Belle with Spanky

Thanks to all WSDA employees who submitted more pet stories highlighting the special relationships with our animal friends during these strange times. We will publish all of them, but are continuing this series with two stories focused on WSDA horse owners. 

The relationship Jessica La Belle has with her horse Spanky has been important throughout her life, but especially during 2020. 

 “I met Spanky in 2001 in Alaska when he was five-months old and just weaned from his mother. I began training horses around that time, and he was the first colt I started under saddle,” said Jess, an administrative assistant for the Entomology Branch of the Pest Program.  

Spanky (short for “Sir Spankyface Dancypants Moneymuncher of Poopsalot”) is now 19 years old, and has traveled with Jess from Alaska to Colorado to Washington. Most horses go through several owners throughout their lifetimes, but Jess has been committed to providing Spanky with the best life possible and seeing him through to the end.  

 “The depth of relationship that can develop between a 1,000-pound animal and a human being is truly extraordinary and difficult to express,” she said. 

 “He is gentle, silly, and affectionate, and throughout the uncertainty of this year, has been a great source of comfort and normalcy to me. Watching him run or brushing his coat continues to fill me with joy after all these years.”

COVID-friendly hobby

Paula Moore, WSDA Seed Program manager, started backcountry horse packing as a hobby this year with Peggy Sioux (buckskin draft cross) and Roxie (flaxen red chestnut haflinger cross), who she purchased in February. 

Paula Moore on backcountry pack trip with
her horses.

Paula joined the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington, a group passionate about preserving backcountry trail use, as well as being capable teachers for learning her new skills. 

For the last year, Paula had been practicing with empty pack boxes and gradually filling them with weight. In August, she and her horses took their first backcountry three-day pack trip as a fully loaded team into the Goat Rock region. 

 “One day, we took a trail hike on foot to the top of the waterfalls and the base of the glacier. The air was clean, the sun was out and the basin was beautiful. From the top, we could see only one other camper in the area,” Paula said.  

During COVID-19, her horse experiences have had little impact. During the spring they worked on footwork, manners and home repairs like fencing, and in April started hitting the trails to get in shape for hill climbs. 

 “We are naturally socially distanced on the trails,” Paula noted. “Giving lots of space between other horse and trail users is standard. We started dry camping in June and went to one socially distant horse event for training.” 

Paula has noticed an increase on the trails by a wider variety of users. But she said everyone she has encountered is respectful and friendly. 

“Fortunately COVID hardly affected use of the trails and my two lovely horses,” she said. “This 2020 trail season, we have grown and bonded. Every outing is an adventure. I am happy to see many new and first-time trail users.”

If you have a story about how your pet has helped you get through this year, share it with me (kdavis@agr.wa.gov) for a future post. 

In summary: The Insider pet stories series continues with the spotlight on two WSDA horse owners and how their special relationships with their horses are bringing them comfort, normalcy and connection, helping to get through this very strange year.

Emergency response relies on thorough planning

Randy Treadwell and Erin Coyle, WSDA Rapid Response and Emergency Management Program

Randy (Treadwell) and Erin (Coyle) here; lately often referred to as the agency’s “COVID-19 team.” While the coronavirus has kept us busy for much of 2020, our role as the WSDA Rapid Response and Emergency Management Program encompasses much more than pandemic response. 

A multiagency food and feed emergency response exercise was developed and hosted last year by the Washington Rapid Response Team, which is part of the Rapid Response and Emergency Management Program.

Internally, we’ve been developing WSDA’s Safe Start Plan and coordinating resources under the state’s phased re-entry framework.

Beyond COVID-19, our program helps WSDA respond to animal, agricultural, food, and feed-related emergencies. We work with state and federal partners to prevent and respond to foreign animal disease outbreaks, dangerous plant or pest infestations, food and feed illness outbreaks, food or feed contamination events, radiological releases, and bioterrorism attacks. 

We also respond and assist with recovery during natural or man-made emergencies and disasters, such as the wildfires raging through Washington right now. 

Advanced planning

Most recently, our program has updated the agency’s Emergency Operations Plan, which includes the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). State agencies are required by state law and governor’s directive to develop and maintain their COOP, which includes a section on pandemic outbreaks .

The Emergency Operations Plan is actually a set of plans that spell out the process we will use during an emergency. It consists of three sections: the basic plan, emergency communications, and the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). 

The basic plan is intended to advise all agency staff. The other two sections are for agency positions that may have an immediate role during an emergency response. The COOP is meant to ensure that the agency is able to continue essential functions if the resources, personnel, or procedures that make those functions possible are threatened, damaged, or rendered inaccessible. 

Our program annually trains agency leaders and staff in agency positions identified in the COOP. Programs and division leaders can request a COOP tutorial or refresher briefing to make employees aware and informed about the agency's emergency plan. 

Incident response functions best when all involved clearly understand organizational structures, and individual roles and responsibilities. Washington State uses the Incident Command System (ICS) as a standardized way to coordinate responses to all kinds of incidents. Part of our annual training reviews ICS basic concepts, roles, and responsibilities.

What can you do to prepare?

We encourage WSDA employees to plan and prepare for what to do in an emergency. 

To help state residents prepare, the Washington Emergency Management Division offers resources to become two-weeks ready by taking one preparation step a month for the next 12 months. The Washington Military Department will present a preparedness webinar on Sept. 17. Learn more and register on their website.  

To review the basic Emergency Operations Plan, visit the Emergency Management intranet page.

Contact the Rapid Response and Emergency Management Program if you have questions or want assistance. 

In summary: WSDA’s Rapid Response and Emergency Management Program encompasses much more than pandemic response, helping our agency respond to animal, agricultural, food, and feed-related emergencies. Most recently, the program updated the agency’s Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). Learn what this means to you in this Insider blog post.