WSDA parents start using new infants-in-workplace policy

Kathy Davis
Communications

Harper Glaspie and her mom, Tess, at work in the Natural Resources Building.

The sound of sweet-baby cooing may be the new sign of a modern, family-friendly workplace. 

Since WSDA adopted a new policy on March 18 allowing employees to bring infants to work, a couple of pioneering moms have become the first to try it out. 

Tess Glaspie brought her daughter, Harper, into the office two days a week from mid-March through late-April. Harper was already five months old when the policy went into effect. The policy specifies that the infant must be between six weeks and six months of age to participate. 

Tess is a customer service specialist in the Pesticide Management Division’s Registration and Licensing Program in Olympia. She said she was excited to take advantage of the policy because she wanted to spend more time with Harper to bond with her. 

“Bringing Harper into the workplace strengthened our bond,” Tess said. 

Karri Doescher brought her four-month-old son Rowan into her workplace from late March through May. Karri is a program specialist with the Seed Program in Yakima. 

Rowan Doescher, held by his big brother.

“It provided me with a chance to have some special one-on-one time with him,” she said. 

Best practices for a changing workplace

In developing the infants-in-the-workplace policy, WSDA was following best practices being used at other state agencies, according to Julie Amell, Human Resources director. 

Robin Schoen-Nessa, assistant director of the Pesticide Management Division, said this policy makes sense for our changing workforce. 

“We have younger staff and have more young moms taking maternity leave,” Robin noted. “We want to be supportive of our employees and their families, and keep talented workers who want to continue their careers here.”

Rickie Johnson, Tess’s supervisor, said having Harper in the office was easy. 

“There were days when she would not make a sound, except for sweet cooing,” Rickie said. “It boosted the morale in our unit. She would put a smile on people’s faces.”

Rickie also surmised that staff were even more focused on their work, because “they wanted to be quiet knowing a baby was around.”

The Seed Program employees’ reaction was also positive.

“Most were excited and happy for me and thought this new policy was wonderful,” Karri said. “They really enjoyed seeing Rowan and were sad when his time was up.” 

Advanced planning

Rickie and Robin emphasized that it’s worth giving parents a chance to take advantage of the policy. 

Happy Harper

“You need to plan ahead,” Rickie advised. “Discuss the scheduling and setup plan, and keep communication open.” 

“You never know with babies,” Tess said. “If Harper had been a fussy baby, it wouldn’t have worked. Don’t force it.”

To learn more, see WSDA policy POL-HR-248, “Allowing Employees to Bring Infants to Work.” It has accompanying procedures, including one about how to handle complaints, and a questions-and-answers document with more details. 

In summary: The first pioneering moms and babies have taken advantage of WSDA’s infants-in-the-workplace policy. Learn about this policy and how it has worked for the parent employees, their coworkers and supervisors in the latest Insider post.

National food protection fellowship is a career booster

Kathy Davis
Communications

Ashlee-Rose Ferguson

How are WSDA employees enhancing their careers and reaching personal goals? The Insider is featuring staff who go beyond “duties as required” to increase their professional profile and benefit the work they do for the agency. 

Next up is Ashlee-Rose Ferguson, Animal Feed Program. As her program’s Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS) coordinator, Ashlee-Rose assures that the program implements and maintains standards, as well as develops training for inspectors. 

At the end of June, she will complete a year-long fellowship with the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI). The fellowship program for food protection professionals requires participants to:

• Attend three, week-long educational sessions in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
• Participate in webinars and e-learning courses.
• Conduct an original, evidence-based project. 

“IFPTI redesigned the fellowship this year to include more hands-on activities,” Ashlee-Rose said. “All the competencies they develop I’ve either encountered, or will. And they were looking for more feed participants, so I applied.”

Being accepted is not easy. IFPTI selected 12 fellows for the 2018-2019 cohort (class) from 400 applications. Ashlee-Rose was the only one from the animal feed regulation field chosen.  

Fellows are paired with a food protection mentor to help guide their research projects. The mentor also helps them develop professional growth plans to lead to long-term career growth and leadership. 

Pet food regulation gap

Ashlee-Rose’s research project focused on refrigerated and frozen pet food. She looked at the specific risks these perishable, usually raw, foods pose and the authority of government agencies to regulate them. 

More pet owners are choosing fresher diets. However, these perishable foods present different risks and require care such as temperature control to limit bacteria growth. 

Ashlee-Rose surveyed pet food regulatory agencies around the country, as well as inspectors at retail stores that handle this type of pet food. 

Her results showed a gap in the regulation of refrigerated and frozen pet food. While agencies do have some enforcement authority on the products themselves, she found that few can enforce on violations at retail facilities. 

Challenging, but worth it

She will have her research article published, create a poster, and present the project at a professional conference. 

“It’s a great opportunity to impact public policy,” she said. “And being a published author will help my resume.”

Ashlee-Rose described her fellowship as challenging, time consuming, and pretty stressful at times. “I developed an eye-twitch and got my first gray hair,” she noted. 

Ashlee-Rose, center, with her IFPTI fellowship group. 

It was also so worth it. “I recommend the fellowship to anyone that would like to challenge themselves and make a beneficial impact,” she said. 

“I have 11 new best friends,” as she described her other fellows. “We chat and communicate all the time. We bonded as a group. The experience showcased how food safety is all connected.” 

Ashlee-Rose will graduate from the fellowship program at the 123rd annual Association of Food and Drug Officials educational conference held June 22-26 in Atlanta, Georgia. 

In summary: Ashlee-Rose has spent the past year participating in a national fellowship program for food protection professionals. While challenging and time consuming, it has enhanced her skills, knowledge, and career opportunities.

Lucy Severs departs after 30 years of protecting public health

Kathy Davis
Communications

Lucy Severs

When Lucy Severs was working at Olympia Cheese, she noticed how much WSDA inspectors enjoyed their work.

“I thought that would be a great job, and when an opening came up at WSDA, I went for it,” she said. “I have never looked back or regretted joining WSDA. It has been the best career!”

Nearly 30 years to the day since she started at the agency, Lucy will retire from the Food Safety Program. Her last day with the agency is May 31.

After starting as a field inspector, Lucy promoted to be regional manager and then program manager of Food Safety. She was in each position for about 10 years.

Before WSDA, she worked in management positions at private sector dairy and meat companies.

“When I think about the character traits Lucy demonstrates that I’d like to emulate, there are several, but one stands out: Lucy is tenacious,” said Steve Fuller, assistant director of the Food Safety and Consumer Services Division. “She’s never been afraid to advocate for what she believes in, and she never gives up. Lucy has a great long game!”

Career high points

Among the highlights of her career was when Washington’s Food Safety Program achieved conformance with the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards. The MFRPS establishes uniformity for measuring and improving prevention, intervention, and response activities of manufactured-food regulatory programs in the United States.

“I worked with a fantastic team who all pulled together to get this done,” Lucy said. “It was challenging and also so much fun.”

Lucy with colleagues (clockwise) Roger Beekman,
Gena Reich, Keren LaCourse,James Starr, and Mike Tokos.

She also takes pride in having served as treasurer for the National Egg Regulatory Officials, and being the state rating officer and dairy pasteurizer specialist for the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments.

Food safety regulatory work and protecting the public health have been an important and rewarding life calling, according to Lucy.

Moving forward

”Lucy had a great idea to double-fill her position for the last several months to prepare for this transition,” Steve said. “Acting Program Manager David Smith has already been doing a great job for the program and will be a great leader through this adjustment period.”

Now, Lucy looks forward to spending more time with her family and friends.

“I have a lot of creative energy I want to unleash,” she said. “One of my favorite places to hang out is the Oakville Library.”

So, if you run into Lucy at the library, thank her for her many years of outstanding service to the people of Washington.

In summary: Lucy Severs, Food Safety Program manager, retires at the end of May after 30 years of service with WSDA, protecting public health by regulating food safety for Washington State.

How will new operating budget affect WSDA?

Kathy Davis
Communications

WSDA’s Regional Markets Program, which received funding
in the operating budget, supports direct marketing farms,
such as those who sell at local farmers markets.

Gov. Inslee signed the 2019-21 biennial state operating budget into law today, May 21. In total, WSDA received $37.8 million in general fund-state appropriations for the 2019-2021 biennium. Our total budget, including non-appropriated fee-based funds, comes to $217.2 million. 

For all state employees, the budget includes across-the-board salary increases of 6 percent over the next two years - 3 percent on July 1, 2019 and 3 percent on July 1, 2020. 

In addition, state employees whose official duty station is in King County will receive a 5 percent “premium” pay increase added to their base salary. This will affect WSDA staff in our Seattle Grain Inspection, Regional Markets, International Marketing, and offices, as well as some seasonal employees. 

Below is a brief overview of new program funding for WSDA in the new operating budget. Unless otherwise noted, the amounts below are from general fund-state. Funding amounts are either for the 2019-2021 biennium only or ongoing. 

Animal Services Division

• Electronic Cattle Tracking - $698,000 in spending authority from the fee-based agricultural local fund to expand the use of electronic tracking of cattle for animal health and disease traceability, and restore the financial solvency of our Livestock Brand Program. It also allows cattle owners to register with WSDA and provide electronic reporting of cattle transactions. (ongoing)

Commodity Inspection Division

• Regional Markets - $500,000 for WSDA’s Regional Markets team to keep supporting rural communities by strengthening the economics of small and direct marketing farms. (ongoing)

• Hemp Production - $212,000 to maintain the Industrial Hemp Research Pilot and transition to a new hemp regulatory program established in law. (one-time) 

Plant Protection Division

• Pollinators - $399,000 for WSDA to establish a program to protect and promote pollinator habitat and health, in coordination with the Apiary Program, the Honey Bee Commission, as well as conservation districts. (ongoing)

Checking the calibration of an airblast sprayer is
taught at WSDA pesticide safety workshops.
Our education program received $250,000 in the
new state budget.

• Spartina Eradication - $400,000 reduction in Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account funding for Spartina monitoring and eradication efforts, since the number of acres infected by Spartina statewide have decreased over time. (one-time) 

Pesticide Management Division

• Pesticide Safety Education - $250,000 for the Pesticide Management Division’s Education Program to expand training for agricultural workers on the proper use and disposal of pesticides. (one-time)

• Pesticide Application Safety Committee - $117,000 to establish a new panel to continue the work begun last year by a pesticide application safety workgroup created by 2018 legislation. (ongoing)

• Aerial Herbicide Application - $36,000 to take part in a workgroup looking at aerial herbicide applications. (one-time)

Administrative Services and Director’s Office

• Data Center Transfer - $326,000 ($64,000 in general fund-state and the rest in spending authority from agricultural local funds) to move WSDA’s technology infrastructure to the State Data Center and pay for related server maintenance costs. (ongoing)
• Northwest Washington Wolf-livestock Management - $432,000 one-time funding to continue cost-sharing agreements with livestock producers to support non-lethal measures that minimize livestock loss from wolves and other carnivores. Of that amount, $80,000 is specified for grants to Ferry and Stevens counties sheriff’s offices for wolf management support. (one-

  

  A pile of oyster shells in the aquaculture
  community of Willapa Bay; WSDA
  received funding to continue shellfish
  industry coordination.

  time)
• Northwest Washington Fair - $250,000 one-time funding to provide youth education programs at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden. (one-time)
• Southwest Washington Agriculture - $250,000 one-time funding to assist with agricultural economic development, including help with grant applications, permitting, and developing a food hub.  (one-time)
• Shellfish Coordinator - $250,000 one-time funding to continue shellfish coordination activities, including assisting the industry to understand regulatory requirements and working with other agencies to streamline pest-management permitting. (one-time)

The budget bill also directed the agency to:

• Convene and staff a Food Policy Forum in collaboration with the state Conservation Commission.
• Work with the Conservation Commission to review existing grants and make recommendations for a sustainable farms and fields grant program. 
• Continue our work related to cannabis (e.g. pesticide lab analysis), by transferring funds to WSDA’s budget which we previously received from the Liquor and Cannabis Board through an interagency agreement. 

Finally, the capital budget (separate from operating budget) included $53.2 million for the Washington Department of Labor & Industries to build a new facility that will include laboratory space designed for and leased to WSDA. 

For more details, visit fiscal.wa.gov where you can read the bill, find the numbers and drill down to agency reports. 

In summary: The state’s operating budget for the 2019-2021 biennium includes several important funding items that will affect WSDA and our employees. Read about some of the highlights of the approved budget in the Insider.

Legislative policy bills that will affect WSDA

Kathy Davis
Communications

The State Capitol Building in Olympia,
framed by spring cherry blossoms.

The Washington State Legislature wrapped up its work for the 2019, 105-day session on time on April 28. 

This long budget-writing session was a busy one for WSDA. We started the session with a list of request legislation and budget items. In addition, the agency kept close watch and weighed in on other issues and bills introduced by others that would affect WSDA, our stakeholders, or the state agriculture industry. 

The following agency request bills were enacted this session. 

Weights and Measures Fees – This bill updates the fee schedule for our Weights and Measures Program to fully fund operations. It sets device registration fees, civil penalties, and service agent fees at levels that align with the program’s costs of regulating commercial weighing, measuring, and counting devices accuracy. These services are critical for protecting consumers and assuring fair competition among business. (House Bill 1298)

Dairy Inspection Assessment Fee – This bill extends the Milk Assessment fee to 2025. It was set to expire June 30, 2020. The fee allows our dairy inspection program to comply with the federal Pasteurized Milk Ordinance and the National Conference of Interstate Milk Shipments. It covers inspection of dairy producers, processing plants, pasteurizer operators, milk hauling companies, truck-wash stations, and milk-container production plants. (House Bill 1429)

Gov. Jay Inslee signs WSDA’s request bill affecting fees for
the Weights and Measures Program. Behind the governor from
left are Charlie Brown representing Fred Meyer stores, Dan
 Coyne representing Food Northwest, and from WSDA Evan
Sheffels, Hannah Street, and Nicole Johnson.

Disclosure of Non-public FDA Information – This bill aligns state and federal laws to protect from disclosure certain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety information under state law. FDA had stopped sharing this information with WSDA, and had warned that up to $5 million in federal funding was at risk, due to the lack of adequate public disclosure protections under state law. This bill protects that funding and restores the flow of information so WSDA’s Food Safety Program can continue to protect public health during food contamination emergencies or recalls. (House Bill 1385)

Some other bills were enacted that will directly affect WSDA’s work. 

Livestock Inspection and Cattle Tracking - One of the most important issues for WSDA this session was addressing the financial solvency of the agency’s Livestock Inspection Program. The program is entirely supported by industry fees for licensing, inspections, and brand recordings, but the fee rates no longer covered the costs of providing these services. 

The livestock industry worked with WSDA and the Legislature to increase the fee base necessary to sustain WSDA’s Livestock Inspection Program. The industry’s solution also fully incorporated another agency request bill to expand the Electronic Cattle Transaction Reporting (ECTR) system for dairy cattle to all cattle. The creation of a modern livestock movement reporting system boosts data collection necessary to trace and identify animal diseases. (Senate Bill 5959)

For more details about how recent legislation affects the Livestock Inspection Program, read the blog post on WSDA’s Ag Briefs. 

Authorizing Hemp Production – This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to exclude hemp from scheduled substances, and it establishes a hemp agricultural commodity program under WSDA. WSDA is directed to develop and submit to USDA the state's plan for regulating hemp production consistent with the 2018 Farm Bill. (Senate Bill 5276)

Bees at their hive. WSDA is directed to establish a program to promote and
protect pollinator health.

Pesticide Application Safety Committee – Last session, the Legislature established a pesticide application safety workgroup. Among the group’s recommendations was to establish a new panel to continue the work they began. The newly established committee will be co-chaired by WSDA, and their first priority is to explore how state agencies collect and track data. They may also evaluate and recommend policy options on a number of other issues. (Senate Bill 5550)

Aerial Herbicide Applications Workgroup – This bill establishes a workgroup to study aerial herbicide applications on state and private forestlands, and make recommendations if appropriate. The group will report its findings by the end of this year. (Senate Bill 5597)

Pollinator Protection – WSDA is directed to establish a program to promote and protect pollinator habitat, and the health and sustainability of pollinator species. The bill also establishes a pollinator health task force that must develop a state pollinator health strategy, and directs state agencies to consider pollinator health when managing lands and habitats. (Senate Bill 5552)

To get more details on these bills, visit the Legislature’s Bill Information webpage. Simply put the bill number in the Search box. 

In summary: With the wrap-up of legislative work for the 2019 session, WSDA saw some significant policy bills approved. Read about how legislation will affect the agency on the Insider.

WSDA employees nominated for state PSRW awards

Kathy Davis
Communications

Brenda Book

Each year, Washington’s Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) organizers request nominations for two awards categories – Extra Mile Awards and Leadership Awards – recognizing state employees for going “above and beyond” their job duties. 

This year, the PSRW awards review committee received 219 nominations for Extra Mile and 138 for Leadership. The ten selected award recipients in each category were honored in a ceremony at the Capitol on May 7. 

Eight WSDA employees were nominated in the two awards categories. While unfortunately, they were not selected to receive an award, we salute them here for being nominated by their peers – a high honor indeed! 

Listed below are our agency’s nominees, with excerpts from the nomination forms written by their colleagues. 

LEADERSHIP AWARD

Amber Itle

Brenda Book – Organic Program Manager
Brenda has nimbly managed a quickly growing program, hiring and training qualified staff. With support of staff, she worked with stakeholders and managed the passage of a first of its kind law giving WSDA unique authority to implement a certification program for the production of marijuana using organic methods. She recently updated the organic fee structure… to ensure that fees covered the cost of certification, but continued to be affordable. Brenda facilitates outreach to partner organizations with an eye toward improved service. 

Amber Itle – Assistant and Acting State Veterinarian 
(Nominated in both awards categories.)
(Her) rapid advancement of leadership and management responsibilities reflects Dr. Itle’s professional capability, adaptability, commitment to service, and dedication to safeguarding animal and human health. She was instrumental in development and piloting of an Animal Disease Traceability program at Washington’s livestock markets. Dr. Itle excels at assessing others’ aptitudes and strengths and matching them with duties… She also knows how to recognize accomplishments (which) has generated a positive workplace environment. 

Jennifer Jewell – Payroll Office Supervisor 
(Two nominations)

Paula Moore

Jennifer earned a well-deserved promotion. Our shop is currently short-handed, but has never run more smoothly thanks to her leadership. Jennifer is a kind, compassionate leader who also isn’t afraid to stand up for her employees. She is never too busy to help. She listens to our needs as employees and consistently checks in with us. 

Paula Moore – Seed Program Acting Manager
Paula has graciously stepped up as the acting program manager…She has embraced this challenging position, and even managed to pull off a Seed Program open house that has not been done for 20 years! Her transparent and approachable management style has helped solidify a very dynamic team. She is a great listener and is always willing to entertain new and improved ideas. 

EXTRA MILE AWARD

Ashlee-Rose Ferguson

Ashlee-Rose Ferguson – Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards Coordinator
Ashlee-Rose pays close attention to details, has a positive attitude, and has a great commend of skills to communicate with all staff with different backgrounds. She is willing to go the extra mile to complete the task in a very professional manner. She recently received her Registered Sanitarian certificate and has been working on a research project on a fellowship program…in addition to her regular work. 

Jason Gambill – Western Washington Safety Officer
Jason is a cornerstone of excellence who continuously shapes conditions for an effective and sustainable safety culture. His area of responsibility coves 19 counties and 450 employees. He volunteered to become WSDA’s Return to Work coordinator and turned a stagnant program into one that’s quickly becoming functional, progressive and results-driven. The agency anticipates a positive return… due to reducing injury claims. 

Thomas Hoffman – Pesticide Compliance Area Manager, Moses Lake

Tom Hoffman

The passion for the people (Tom) serves is mirrored by his drive to continually learn and progress as an advocate for the agricultural community. Tom is the first person to arrive, and the last one to leave. From the dedication of his own time… to the unmatched knowledge base he provides, he is of vital importance to our team. Tom is always the first to volunteer for additional projects and work that far exceeds his required duties. 

Jodi Jones – Acting Assistant Director and Division Coordinator, Animal Services Division
Jodi assumed the duties of acting assistant director while her supervisor, Dr. Brian Joseph is deployed for the U.S. Army. Jodi has full authority on all matters concerning the division (and) takes those tasks very seriously. Her leadership skills and respect allow her to be successful with her staff, as well

Jodi Jones

as the Director’s Office. Jodi… works tirelessly on a daily basis and has the unique ability to “switch hats” as needed. 

Pesticide Management Licensing Section, Customer Service Team
This team experienced many changes over the last year and through it all has still maintained a high level of customer service and sense of teamwork. In the midst of their busy season, they are ahead of schedule in processing over 20,000 renewals for our customers. Their hard work, dedication, and collaboration with other programs have made this busy season one of the most successful, providing efficient and quality customer service. The team includes: Rickie Johnson, Teresa Hacker, Colby Scott, Tory Rudolph, Tess Glaspie, Veronica Segura, and Andrea Barbosa. 

Congratulations to all the WSDA nominees!

In summary: Seven individual WSDA employees and one team were nominated by their colleagues for Public Service Recognition Week awards in two categories. As PSRW continues, we salute these staff members for gaining the admiration and respect that earned them a nomination from a coworker.

Five win prizes in latest QUICK Award drawing

Kathy Davis
Communications

Angela Anaegon

Five WSDA employees became eligible to select a prize because their names were randomly selected in the recent QUICK Awards drawing. Agencywide, employees handed out 48 awards to coworkers, with 32 in Western Washington and 16 in Eastern Washington.

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.

Angela Anegon - Organic Program, Olympia
Angela was recognized for her leadership as a peer and supervisor. With her impeccable work ethic, she is committed to improving the quality of the program’s work. She will be a huge asset as an inspector in Spokane.

Davis Hecimovich

David Hecimovich - Animal Health, Olympia

David received thanks for his support and expertise in the recent radiological emergency preparedness exercise where he was the agency’s liaison. He demonstrated thoughtful and professional work throughout the exercise planning process.

Alberto Hernandez - Pesticide Compliance, East Wenatchee

Alberto Hernandez

Alberto possesses an innate skill as an investigative interviewer that was invaluable in a significant investigative case. As a bilingual pesticide compliance investigator, Alberto shows intuitive and tenacious skill.
Because of Alberto's involvement, critical elements of the case investigation were uncovered, verified, and, sometimes, refuted.

Laura Raymond – Regional Markets, Seattle

Laura Raymond

Laura ensured that onboarding and welcoming of new staff was smooth and professional. She went above and beyond with courtesy and knowledge.

Erica Vanegas - Seed Program, Yakima

Erica Vanegas

Erica was recognized for her awesome work ethic, staying late to ensure that the lab reports were “QA’ed” and sent out. When the Yakima building was closed for two days, she worked to get things caught up.

June 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.

In summary: WSDA staff presented 48 QUICK Awards during the first quarter of 2019. Five of their names were randomly drawn to receive prizes. As a kick-off to Public Service Recognition Week, meet some agency employees who were recognized by their colleagues, with appreciation for their work.