WSDA hosts nationwide ag communicators gathering

Kathy Davis
Communications

Cleaning Cosmic Crisp apples in anticipation of taking a bite are, from left,
Megan Finkenbinder, WSDA executive assistant to the director, Amanda Culp,
communications director of the National Association of State Departments of
Agriculture (NASDA), and Rebecca Allured, Nevada Department of Agriculture
public information officer.

Apples, potatoes, wine and water – those were a few of the uniquely Washington topics state ag agency communicators from all over the United States learned about in Richland at a recent conference hosted by WSDA. 

The Communication Officers of State Departments of Agriculture, or COSDA, held their annual meeting in Washington Sept. 30 through Oct. 3. WSDA’s Communication Director Hector Castro served as the organization’s president for the past year and the annual gathering is always held in the president’s home state.

It was an action-packed few days, especially for those of us on the Communications Office team. After many months of planning, it was show time as 75 COSDA members, presenters and sponsors converged at the conference venue on the Columbia River. 

This annual event is a mix of: 

• Updates from federal agency representatives.
• Workshop sessions that develop professional communication skills.
• Onsite tours to get first-hand exposure to the host state’s ag industry.
• Networking opportunities for state communicators to learn from and support each other on common issues and challenges. 

The workshops covered digital communications, such as using social media before and during a crisis and use of live streaming. A panel of news media representatives discussed how to work effectively with reporters and editors. 

Other workshops featured using clear language for customer understanding, and two sessions on employee communication. A panel of COSDA members presented successes and challenges of connecting with and informing ag agency workers. 

Hector Castro, WSDA communications director, looks up
from the floor of Easterday Farms onion packing plant, as
touring COSDA conference attendees got a birds-eye view.

In addition, we heard from the president of a consulting firm that works with major U.S. employers specifically to improve internal communications. Steve Baskin, from Tribe, Inc. based in Atlanta, presented strategies for reaching non-desk staff. This is a particular challenge for all agriculture agencies with inspectors and investigators who spend the bulk of their time away from a traditional office environment. 

WA ag tours

Of course, seeing is believing, so we loaded onto tour buses to show our guests how ag is done in Washington. 

Stops included the Washington State University center at Prosser, where the group learned about cutting-edge research into hops and apple production. As a special treat, we got to pick the famous in-development apple variety, Cosmic Crisp, and take a rare taste. 

Bill’s Berry Farm outside Grandview showed how enterprising farmers have embraced agritourism to stay profitable. We learned how this family is drawing increasing visitors with tours and seasonal festivals that mix food, fun and farming education. 

It wouldn’t be Washington without a spotlight on the growing wine industry. The Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center both informed and satisfied with a wine and cheese tasting and a sumptuous state-sourced meal. 

We also toured Ice Harbor Dam on the lower Snake River, and saw potato and onion processing and packing up close and personal.

The COSDA conference is primarily funded by member registration fees and sponsorship gifts. 
The goal is to boost the effectiveness of state communicators to convey the value and tell the story of agriculture. Since only 2 percent of the nation’s population lives on farms, it’s more important than ever to help non-farm consumers and citizens understand where their food comes from and how ag affects the economy, environment and culture of the U.S. 

The professional communicators who gathered in Richland have gone back to their home states with new tools and insights, as well as a better understanding of Washington’s agricultural landscape. 

In summary: State agricultural agency communication professionals from around the U.S. gathered in Richland to develop their skills, learn about Washington State ag, and strengthen their network. 

WSDA’s overseas reps are vital links to Asian markets

Kathy Davis
Communications

The International Marketing Program's overseas representatives, from left:
Scott Hitchman, Francis Lee, Dong Hwan Kim (Danny Kim),
and Li Haidong. 

If you are an ag business looking to export your product to Asia, it could help to know that living and storage space is much smaller there than in the U.S., so single-serve packaging will be more appealing to consumers. Super-size portions or big-box bulk packs are not going to go over as well. 

This is just one of the marketing tips offered by the four overseas representatives with whom WSDA’s International Marketing Program contracts to promote Washington agricultural products to Asian buyers. 

The four were in Washington State last month for their annual visit that includes scheduled one-on-one consultations with companies looking to start or expand selling their products overseas. In all, they met with 40 businesses in Seattle and Yakima from Sept. 17 through 21 and made six site visits throughout the state. 

Meet the reps

Here is where they are based and how long they have been representing WSDA’s International Marketing Program.

• Scott Hitchman, Tokyo, Japan, 25 years.

  

  Mike Smith with Loftus Ranches shows Washington-grown
  hops to Julie Johnson, Francis Lee and Li Haidong. 

• Li Haidong, Shanghai, China, 16 years. 
• Dong Hwan Kim (Danny Kim), Seoul, Korea, 5 years.
• Francis Lee, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 5 years. 

As liaisons between in-state sellers and overseas buyers, these reps juggle many tasks. They maintain databases of buyers, distributors and importers, keep up on market trends, industry news and regulatory compliance issues, and meet with businesses and government officials. 

They need to have a deep knowledge of all the factors that contribute to exporting success. 

In consulting with Washington producers, Francis says he always asks, “Are you market-ready?” For instance, for the long journey overseas, exporters must understand the complex logistics of packing and shipping by cargo ship or plane. 

What’s the Washington brand?

Our marketing reps work to make Washington State products stand out as distinct and desirable. The first hurdle is clearing up confusion with “the other Washington” (state versus D.C.). 

All the reps tout the Evergreen State for our clean, natural environment and stringent food safety regulations. They use videos to show our picturesque mountains, forests and rivers, and talk about how our farmers use best industry practices to grow and pack the safest food.  

WSDA's reps met with 40 state businesses in Seattle and Yakima to advise
them on how to start or expand exporting of their products.  

The prestige of Washington brands also benefits from association. Starbucks and Ichiro have helped put Seattle on the international map. This area also has a global reputation for craft foods and beverages. 

Sometimes popular culture gives a boost. Li said the film “Beijing meets Seattle” was a big box-office hit in China and made consumers more aware of the Pacific Northwest. 

Forty percent of our state’s economy is tied to trade and about one-third of agricultural products exported. WSDA’s international marketing reps play a vital role in opening markets that make Washington’s ag industry thrive.

In summary: WSDA contracts with four marketing representatives based in Asian countries who connect in-state sellers with overseas buyers and help our ag industry thrive through international trade. Learn about them in this Insider blog. 

Fragrances in the workplace represent more than pleasant smell

Julie Amell
Human Resources Director

Some might consider fragrance sensitivity to be a minor annoyance, but for a growing number of people, it is a life-altering condition.  

WSDA strives to be an inclusive environment where everyone is treated fairly and respectfully, has equal access to opportunities and resources, and can bring their full selves to the job. That means respecting our coworkers and making sure they can be comfortable and productive.  

Like all employers, we must also comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Recent case law is establishing that sensitivity or allergic reaction to fragrances can be a disability under the ADA. In a ruling involving a city of Detroit employee, the court found that when an employee has severe symptoms from exposure to odors or scents, that can be considered a disability. 

Employees who have medical reactions to fragrances report that certain odors, even in 
small amounts, can trigger an attack.  Some of these medical reactions include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Numbness
• Upper respiratory symptoms
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty concentrating
• Skin irritation
• Insomnia
• Anxiety 
• Confusion
• Loss of appetite 
• Depression 

What is it about the smell that causes these reactions? Most fragranced products contain chemicals that make the fragrance disperse widely. In many cases, the reaction is actually to the chemical in the fragrance. 

Since manufacturers are not required to reveal to consumers what chemicals are present in their fragranced products, including perfumes, we may not know exactly what is triggering the response.  

People with fragrance sensitivity have to make many choices about where they go and what activities they participate in to manage their sensitivities. Many with fragrance sensitivity can control it by avoiding certain stores, restaurants, or other public places. However, they do not have control over their need to work and the environment of their workplace. 

In recognizing the potential effects of fragrances in the workplace, WSDA aims to:

• Reduce medical reactions of employees. 
• Reduce office tension around fragrance use. 
• Create a more inclusive environment for employees and visitors.

What can we do?

We can be respectful and understanding of each other by being aware of how we may be affecting others in the close confines of our workplace.  

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Julie Amell, 360-902-1981.  

In summary: Bringing fragrances into the workplace can cause serious health effects for some coworkers. Recognizing fragrance sensitivity reflects respect and courtesy – and it is required by the law. Learn more in this Insider blog post.

ICSEW offers professional opportunities for women in state government

Kathy Davis
Communications

Every year, Washington’s Interagency Committee of State Employed Women (ICSEW) hosts a professional development conference, and this year’s event took place on Sept. 12 at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. 

Ashley Blowers (in blue shirt), WSDA's representative
on the ICSEW, at the committee's annual conference. 

The agenda offered a wide variety of topics – such as career advice on state applications and interviewing tips, multigenerational workplaces, mentorships, public speaking, values alignment, leadership, and even financial first aid. 

I was a regular attendee this year. As WSDA’s ICSEW representative from 2014 to 2017, I was in the thick of conference planning and execution the previous two years. 

Now, Ashley Blowers, WSDA contracts specialist, is our agency representative and, she worked at the event. 

“It was such a great conference. The speakers were engaging and you could feel the excitement in the air,” Ashley said. “I learned to better understand what limiting beliefs I hold onto and how to break free from those to reach my goals. I highly recommend this annual conference for anyone looking to better themselves and connect with some awesome new people.”

Tips for focus and balance

My favorite workshop at the recent ICSEW conference focused on mindfulness at work. One of the presenters talked about Attention Deficit Trait, or ADT, which is becoming a hot topic in the workplace as the volume of distractions, information overload, and constant tech connection continues to grow. 

The workshop included research that found human brains wander 47 percent of the time. That means we are fully present and focused on our current task only about half the time. Training the brain through mindfulness practice can increase the quality of our attention. 

I also enjoyed the keynote speaker, Theresa Whitmarsh, executive director of the Washington State Investment Board. Teresa talked about her unlikely career path – from her first job as a forestry historian, to journalism, and then the financial world. 

ICSEW professional development conference
keynote speaker, Theresa Whitmarsh. 

She said that living a rural lifestyle on her farm in Thurston County keeps her grounded and real, balancing her professional life spent in meetings, boardrooms and travel. She called her work in her barn and fields “bovine therapy.” 

Professional development and networking

The ICSEW was established in 1970 by Gov. Dan Evans with a mission of bettering the lives of state employees through advocacy, outreach and opportunity. 

Being a representative or alternate offers rich opportunities to learn, practice new skills, and network with people across state government. Through subcommittee work, ICSEW members are involved in conference planning, legislation tracking, wellness activities (including the annual fair), community support and outreach, mentoring, and lots more. 

ICSEW events are interactive and safe spaces where anyone with a desire to better themselves would be right at home. Events provide an excellent opportunity to network with other highly motivated professionals. Topics focus not only on career advancement, but also on personal growth. 

Getting involved

Ashley is looking for two or three agency colleagues who are interested in becoming ICSEW alternates. As such, you would be required to attend bimonthly meetings when Ashley is unable to attend, and any other meetings you choose. 

“I hope some other employees are interested in getting involved in ICSEW to increase WSDA’s involvement and take advantage of this opportunity for professional development,” she said. “This group passionately supports the advancement of women in Washington State. Many matters affecting women would not have the visibility they do without ICSEW.”

The general meetings, which are generally held in the Olympia area, are open to all and attending is a great way to learn more about ICSEW. If you are interested, contact Ashley about attending. 

In summary: The ICSEW annual professional development conference offered a great opportunity to learn, reflect and network for career and personal growth. WSDA is seeking interested staff to become involved in ICSEW. Read the Insider for more details.

Discovery phase of agency website project complete

Hector Castro
Communications 

The team working to update WSDA’s website heard plenty from staff members and stakeholders recently, information that will help them as they design a new public agency website. 

Some of the folks at Status Not Quo working on WSDA's website redesign. 

This first phase of the work, the discovery stage, has now been completed. For this step, the web design firm, Status Not Quo (SNQ), focused on learning what people thought of the current website and what they would like to see in a new one. 

To gather this information, the SNQ team met with the WSDA project steering committee and held two days of focus group meetings with staff representing each of the agency’s six divisions. 

The firm also created a seven-question survey that was posted on our homepage and Facebook, shared with managers and staff, and emailed to more than 20,000 stakeholder and customer addresses provided by staff.

In all, 739 surveys were fully completed.

Consistent feedback

The results from all of these efforts were remarkably consistent. Among all the groups, when asked what they liked about the current website, the most frequent answer was the amount of information our website contains.

When asked what they liked least about our current website, difficulty navigating our website and how our information is organized came up the most often.

SNQ also asked, “What  do  you  feel  are  the  three  most  important  features  the  website  should  provide?” The most common response by far was “ease of use.” 

More members of the SNQ project team. 

In general, the focus groups and survey results showed that those who use our website want a new site that is:

• Intuitive and easy to use.  
• Streamlined, with shorter content and fewer clicks.  
• Mobile friendly.  
• More topically driven.  
• Representative of all divisions.  
• Easy to update, and thus more dynamic.  
• Standardized in design. 

Those of you who participated in the focus groups or the survey have played an important role in shaping what our new website will look like and how it will function. 

The next step of the project will focus on planning how to migrate our current content on to the new website. Some programs are already working to review the content on their web pages. Now would be the perfect time to delete old information, rewrite and reorganize your pages and bring them up-to-date.  

In summary: A survey and focus groups were used to gather information to help the project team that is working toward a redesigned WSDA public website. Much of the feedback was consistent across the board.

Feed specialist Cat Marrier remembered as caring friend and colleague

Kathy Davis
Communications

Our agency is mourning the sudden loss of Catherine – or Cat, as she was known – Marrier, who passed away after a tragic horseback riding accident on Aug. 17. 

Cat began her career with WSDA in 2008, working in the Pesticide Management division, but most recently was a feed specialist and field inspector with the Animal Feed Program in the Food Safety & Consumer Services division. 

“From first meeting, you could tell that Cat was a smart and passionate individual and these qualities seemed to easily translate over to her job at WSDA,” Randy Treadwell, Rapid Response and Emergency Management program manager, said. “Cat took me on my first animal feed inspection and I was struck by how she managed the room with authority while remaining friendly and professional. She was a teacher, mentor, and friend to many.”

Cat had a deep background in agriculture. She and her husband, Jerry, lived on a ranch in Ellensburg with cattle, two horses and a cat. Cat was the oldest of eight children, and her family had dairy operations in Western Washington and did ranching east of the Cascades. She liked to say she grew up on both sides of the state. 

Cat was an avid horseback rider who had been riding since she was a kid. Two of her granddaughters are ranked first and second in the state at the Northwest Junior Rodeo. 

Accomplished and caring

She was very involved in the feed safety community, both within the state and globally. She helped develop national curriculum systems content and wrote inspector-training standards for the International Food Protection Training Institute. She was also a feed ingredient investigator for the Association of American Feed Control Officials, and also provided technical assistance and outreach to various industry associations. 

Cat with good friend and coworker
Angela Gantuah, on left.

Her supervisor in the Animal Feed Program, Ali Kashani, remembers, “I had the honor and privilege of knowing and working with Cat since the beginning of her career here - first in Pesticide Management and then in Food Safety and Consumer Services. Cat had a comprehensive approach and attention to detail during inspection and investigation. She was very passionate about regulatory work, had deep understanding of our stakeholders’ issues and believed in providing technical assistance whenever possible.”

Cat was known as a caring and accomplished colleague by her coworkers.  

“She had a very passionate and unique soul,” said her colleague, Ashlee-Rose Ferguson. “She had a field staff of three who truly felt she represented and supported them.” 

Food safety compliance specialist Angela Gantuah considered Cat a close friend.

“My friendship with Cat is deep and powerful,” Angela said. “I met her in Spokane during a January snowstorm and we had an instant and intense connection. She had an uncanny ability to help you find the value in all that you do and especially yourself. She cared deeply about her work and loved her family and friends.”

Food safety officer Caleb James remembered that Cat went out of her way to take care of colleagues. 

“Cat was a very caring person who cared about you not just as a coworker, but as a person,” Caleb said.  “She was genuinely interested in your family, faith, hobbies, and personal well-being. When working with her in the field, she would often pack extra food in her lunch to make sure I had enough.” 

The photo for which Cat won a national photography contest award.

Cat also had a great interest and talent for photography. Her photo of a barn in Lincoln County earned her a photography contest award from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. 

Cat is survived by her husband, her mother, three adult children, and grandchildren.

In summary: WSDA is mourning the loss of a special person and valued employee. The colleagues of Cat Marrier, an animal feed inspector, remember her passion for her work and her compassion for others.

Employee survey comments offer insights to improvement

Patrick Capper
Deputy Director

After the 2016 annual state Employee Engagement Survey, some WSDA employees asked why the survey did not allow respondents to provide individual comments. As a result, the agency included two open-ended questions in the 2017 survey that allowed staff to type in their personal answers. 

The broad questions asked those taking the survey:
- What is one way you’ve noticed WSDA improve in the past year?
- What are three ways WSDA could improve your job satisfaction?

The Performance and Planning Management Office (PPMO) reviewed more than 700 separate comments submitted by 119 individual WSDA employees. 

Because the agency assured that survey responses would be confidential, the actual comments will not be published. We can share some general themes that emerged from the wide array of comments submitted. 

What has improved?

Staff comments about improvements ranged from communications to changes in leadership and administrative structure. The weekly Connect employee e-bulletin was called out as improving internal communication. 

Others mentioned leadership changes, program-level succession planning, clearer policies and procedures, centralized IT, and process improvement (e.g. Lean) work as ways employees have noticed WSDA change for the better. 

What could be better?

Since the second question asked for three things (rather than just one) that could be improved, employees offered many more comments to this question. Below are a few of the general areas into which comments fell. 

Feedback loop – Use feedback and value input. Listen to employees, and do something with the information gathered. Use customer feedback better. 

Communication and connection – More transparent, effective communication, and less separation between managers and workers. Communicate the agency’s strategy and direction, and provide opportunities for appreciation and teambuilding. 

Accountability – Uphold a high level of accountability, adhering to agency values and ethics, and enforcing rules and guidelines. Leaders should lead and walk the talk. 

Staffing and training - Hire best leaders and staff; hiring from outside the agency can be a benefit. Improve the promotion and hiring process; no secret appointments and better interview panels. Provide professional development and mentoring; more training and advancement opportunities. 

Work environment – Offer more teleworking and flex schedules, better air quality, stress relief, and upgraded technology. 

How will this input be used? 

I received the verbatim survey comments from PPMO and met with each of the assistant division directors to discuss this feedback from their staff. I’ve directed each AD to organize listening sessions with their division staff before October. And some, such as Pesticide Management Division, have already started holding those meetings.

The second phase of listening sessions for those parts of the agency that do not report to an AD will occur in the next few weeks. You will be contacted by your manager with details on scheduling your sessions.  

In addition, PPMO conducted an employee focus group session in April to hone in on areas to target a specific agency improvement project. Watch this Insider blog for a follow-up story about that focus group activity.  

The Leadership Team and I take your feedback very seriously. I encourage you to talk to your supervisor about things your team or the agency as a whole can do to help you be the most engaged and productive employee possible. 

In summary: WSDA employees who took the 2017 Employee Engagement Survey provided hundreds of comments on both ways the agency has improved and what could be done to boost job satisfaction.