Part of history, humanitarian Neil Lanning exits WSDA

Kathy Davis, Communications

After serving nearly 20 years with the agency, Neil Lanning will retire at the end of January. His first job at WSDA is directly related to his most memorable day – Dec. 23, 2003, when the first U.S. case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) was announced in Washington State. 

Neil started at WSDA in June 2001 in a project position conducting BSE prevention education for the Feed Program, which was then part of the Pesticide Management Division. 

Cow that stole Christmas

“The day the BSE cow was announced, I was in a meeting with several WSDA leadership team members,” Neil recalls.

The group was discussing what to do with the milk from the farm where the cow was found. Should the milk be dumped out of an abundance of caution? Or was it safe? And how would dumping it affect the milk market?

Neil with his family visiting Disneyland.

“The person in charge looked right at me and asked ‘What do we know about the milk?’,” Neil said. “Because I had been conducting education for two years on BSE feed rules and the science behind it, I was able to confidently respond.”

Neil explained the research of milk taken from BSE cows fed and injected into calves that did not cause BSE. 

“Being able to instantly provide that science may have prevented a major disruption of the U.S. milk market.”

Distinguished career

When his BSE project position ended, Neil became the first, and only, field inspector for the “keep manure out of water program” when it was moved from Department of Ecology to WSDA. 

Neil and his wife, Alice. 

He returned to the Feed Program and conducted feed inspections and complaint investigations from 2004 to 2012. When the program moved into the Food Safety and Consumer Services Division, he spent over a year as a food safety officer, doing work related to both feed and human food. 

He started in his current position as Western Washington area manager for the Pesticide Compliance Program in March 2014. 

“I have been fortunate to work with a lot of very knowledgeable, dedicated, friendly staff from day one at WSDA,” Neil said. “ The Western Washington Pesticide Compliance team is a very close group of people, and I am privileged to be part of it.”

Community Service Award

In 2014, Neil received an agency recognition award for his humanitarian service to the people of Haiti. Neil first got involved in 2009 as part of a team that delivered supplies to an orphanage and community medical clinic. 

He returned in 2012, leading a team of volunteers to plant trees, paint part of the orphanage, and collect soil samples from fields used for food production. Neil also led a fundraising event that raised more than $30,000 -- enough to buy, ship and install a modern solar electrical system for the orphanage and medical clinic. 

Among his post-retirement plans is to continue being involved in church and mission projects, perhaps going back to Haiti. 

He, his wife and his 90-year-old mother-in-law also plan to camp in their RV while they travel around the U.S. and Canada. 

Thanks, Neil – for all your valued service to WSDA and Washington State!

In summary: After serving nearly 20 years with the agency, Neil Lanning will retire at the end of January. He was at the table when the first BSE case showed up in Washington, and was the first WSDA dairy nutrient inspector. He led a Pesticide Compliance area team. And his humanitarian work has improved lives for people in Haiti.  

Courage and contagious laughter; colleagues miss Catherine Bowman

Maryann Connell and Christina Zimmerman, Pesticide Management Division

Editor’s Note: The Pesticide Management Division lost a valued and beloved colleague on Nov. 22 when Catherine Bowman passed away at her home. She was a management analyst with the division’s Administrative Section and supported the  Compliance Program. Two of her division coworkers, Christina (Tina) Zimmerman and Maryann Connell contributed to this tribute to Catherine. 

Catherine was a strong and courageous woman, and a woman of strong faith. While her life was full of challenges, she always met them head-on and with courage. We had a few discussions about courage; feeling the fear and doing it anyway. In that regard, Catherine not only demonstrated her courage, but helped others find theirs.

Catherine’s customer service expertise was vast. Her previous career experience included working in the childcare and insurance industries. At the Alaska State Patrol, she was the primary assistant to a region commander. She also worked for a conservation district in Oregon. 

Catherine laughs as coworker Haydee
Pingol looks on. 

Catherine started her 20-year Washington State career at the Department  of Licensing in 2000, and promoted up in that agency. She came to WSDA in March 2008.

Catherine was also a grandmother and mother, and her family was the important focus in her life. 

She was a skilled homemaker, with the knowledge of a pioneer woman. She took joy in creating a wholesome home environment for her grandchildren, and took pride in building her little family farm and garden. 

Many of us were privileged to learn about the latest rabbit capers, building the turkey pen, and the night-time escapades of her prized pet, Ms. Goose. She loved being active, whether it was riding horses or bicycles, or baking, canning, or building another shelter for her animals.

“With common sense, extensive experience, a strident voice, a strong opinion, and a determined step, Catherine was a force that helped keep our division on task,” noted Chery Sullivan, manager of the Dairy Nutrient Management Program. 

“Catherine was also a joy; she laughed easily and frequently at the silliness of life and work. When she graced my space, we generally talked about life on the farm…chasing wayward livestock, favorite heirloom apples, preserving garden harvests and family traditions. Catherine was a pioneer in her heart and deeds, and I miss her.”

Catherine and Maryann Connell.

“Catherine was a valued colleague,” said Tim Schultz, acting manager of the Pesticide Compliance Program.  

“She kept us in line as to due dates and getting documents submitted properly. Her laughter was contagious. She enjoyed my chocolate deliveries. Catherine helped make the world a better place. She is missed, but her influence will continue.”

Over the last five years, we shared a lot of conversations and laughs in our day-to-day interactions, or just dealing with life’s unforeseen challenges. I’m going to miss that voice in the next cubicle for a long, long time. 

In summary: The Pesticide Management Division lost a valued and beloved colleague on Nov. 22 when Catherine Bowman passed away at her home. Catherine was a strong and courageous woman, a grandmother and mother, who took pride in building her little family farm and garden. Two of her division coworkers provided a tribute to Catherine for the Insider. 

In-person pesticide training models safety practices

Robert Ambriz, Safety Program

Jaime Ramon presenting at a pesticide safety
training in Prosser on Dec. 15.

As the safety officer assigned to Eastern Washington, I had the opportunity on Dec. 15 to observe the WSDA Technical Services and Education Program (TSEP) team conduct an in-person pesticide safety training for farmworkers who apply pesticides. 

I am well aware of how dedicated this program is to providing high-quality education services to for our state’s agricultural industry. Since May of 2020, the program had moved many classes online in response to COVID-19 restrictions. This was one of the first in-person training opportunities they have offered since the pandemic started.

Ofelio Borges, TSE program manager, told me, “In-person training is crucial, because a lot of agriculture workers don’t have a computer, internet, or the knowledge to access online training platforms” 

Practicing COVID safety

Working with the training sponsors, apple growers and the venue, Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center in Prosser, the TSE team made sure to follow state, federal, and public health guidelines. Class participants lined up outside at social distance. Staff did not allow anyone to enter without a mask. If anyone didn’t have a mask, TSEP or the training sponsors provided one. 

Inside, participants were checked in and their temperatures checked. The training area was big enough for socially distanced seating. Seating places and handout packets were already  assigned, along with a properly disinfected electronic answering remote unit (clicker). 

Signs with COVID-19 requirement reminders were posted around the building. During breaks and lunch, everyone ate their food inside their vehicles. 

The trainers -- Bradley Farrar (supervisor), Jeff Robinson and Jaime Ramon – covered federal and state Worker Protection Standard topics through the following five modules: Mixing and Loading, Respiratory Protection, Personal Protective Equipment, Decontamination, and WPS Additions. 

Evaluations were administered before and after the class using the clickers. Videos, examples in the packets, PowerPoints, and actual safety gear were incorporated into and supported the training. 

Engaging and beneficial

TSEP staff engaged their audience by asking questions, encouraging participation, and even telling jokes. 

Class participant Lorenzo Villafana pronounced the training beneficial. “I have participated in two trainings hosted by TSEP, and I enjoy how well they deliver the information so we can understand,” he said.  

First-time TSEP trainee Gustavo Alvarez also said he enjoyed it. “On top of education, it was more delightful due to some laughter,” he commented. 

Rodrigo Ramos has attended many TSEP trainings, including in Richland, Grandview, and Yakima. “I like the training because they are always updating it, such as when there is a new rule,” he said. “Many have never worked in applying pesticides and can learn a lot. I can share the knowledge I learn with those who can’t attend.” 

The TSE team obviously has exceptional training skills. They also model best safety practices for our agency – promoting safe pesticide use, adhering to COVID-19 public health requirements, and in all the work they do. 

In summary: Eastern Washington safety officer Robert Ambriz recently had the opportunity to observe the WSDA Technical Services and Education (TSE) Program team conduct an in-person training for farmworkers who apply pesticides. It confirmed for him the team’s dedication to practicing best safety practices in all that they do.