WSDA inspector coaches winning FFA team

 Kathy Davis, Communications

WSDA inspector Julie Neil, center, with the winning state FFA team.

When the Washington State team competes in the national FFA Food Science and Technology Career Development event this month, their coach will be cheering them on. Julie Neil, a WSDA Food Safety Program inspector for the Southwest Region, has been volunteering to coach these FFA teams for the past 10 years. 

In May, the team coached by Julie won this career development contest at the state level, earning the opportunity to represent Washington at the National FAA Convention and Expo being held in Indianapolis, Indiana on Oct. 26-29. 

Washington’s team will be going up against 38 other state winning teams from across the U.S. in the food safety category. This event requires students to have in-depth understanding of food product development, food presentation and food safety issues. Participants also use their sensory skills to solve problems and make sound decisions.

“Students will not only be participating in the Food Science Career Development event in Indianapolis,” Julie said. “In addition to coaching the team, I will be facilitating industry tours, and interactions with companies and individuals involved in the numerous areas of food science.”

More than 60,000 students are expected to attend the 95th annual FFA convention this year. Along with the career development events, the gathering will feature awards, speakers, workshops, educational tours, community service, top entertainers, and a talent competition. 

Learn more about FFA Food Science and Technology Career Development on the FFA website, including a video that describes the competition event. 

In summary: When the Washington State team competes in the national FFA Food Science and Technology Career Development event this month, their coach will be cheering them on. Julie Neil, a WSDA Food Safety Program inspector for the Southwest Region, has been volunteering to coach these FFA teams for the past 10 years. Read more about it on the Insider blog. 

WSDA represented in next agricultural leadership program

 Kathy Davis, Communications

Dr. Amber Itle

Dr. Amber Itle, our state veterinarian, and Madison (Madi) Roy, agricultural economist with the Director’s Office, are joining the AgForestry Leadership Program’s Class 44, which kicks off in October. 

AgForestry offers hands-on learning experiences for people working in agriculture, forestry, and other natural resource businesses. Over 18 months, participants attend seminars on topics related to communications, social services, government, industry, crime and corrections, and transportation. They also spend one week in Washington DC and up to two weeks in a selected foreign country.

Dr. Amber Itle

“AgForestry seemed like an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Amber said. “Farm life taught me to be a self-starter, dare to try new things, seek opportunities for change, and learn from failure.” 

She learned about the program from alumni who had graduated in previous classes, who she had worked with and learned from. She considers them inspirational and influential leaders in agriculture. 

By participating in the program, Amber looks forward to building collaborative networks with leaders in other ag sectors and other industries. 

She observed; “AgForestry promotes an environment that encourages cross-pollination of ideas, approaches and perspectives to promote problem-solving through multiple lenses.”

Madi Roy

Madi Roy

Madi applied to the program because she is passionate about agriculture and natural resources.

“I want to provide benefit to all those who produce food, eat food, and enjoy our state’s natural resources,” she said. 

She’s also excited about the program’s focus on networking and collaboration, as well as the prospect of sharpening her skills and developing new ones. 

“The curriculum is designed to educate participants about critical industries, including those I may not be familiar with but that share a connection with agriculture,” she said.

Adjusting to generational shift

Over 44 years, more than 1,000 participants have graduated from the AgForestry Leadership Program, and over 60% have come from the agricultural sector. 

Now the program is planning to evaluate itself and retool to ensure it meets the needs of future leaders based on shifting generational needs and interests. 

The Agriculture and Forestry Education Foundation, which oversees the AgForestry Leadership Program, recently applied for and received nearly $250,000 from WSDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of their curriculum and delivery methods. 

They’ll be looking at how changes affecting the workforce, the marketplace and the ballot box drives preparing future leaders to make critical decisions for our state. 

To learn more about the AgForestry Leadership Program, explore their website, agforestry.org. 

Also consult the WSDA policy POL-AM-101 that establishes the process for selecting candidates for the program and approving funding support. Participants may request that their WSDA program pay either all or part of their fees for the program.

In summary: Dr. Amber Itle, our state veterinarian, and Madison (Madi) Roy, agricultural economist with the Director’s Office, are joining the AgForestry Leadership Program’s Class 44, which kicks off in October. AgForestry offers hands-on learning experiences for people working in agriculture, forestry, and other natural resource businesses. More than 1,000 participants have graduated from the program, and over 60% have come from the agricultural sector. Now the program is planning to evaluate itself and retool to ensure it meets the needs of future leaders based on shifting generational needs and interests. Read about it on the Insider.