Opportunity for you: Seeking Grant Reviewers for Regional Markets Grants

Regional Markets is recruiting grant application reviewers. 

There are two opportunities.

1. Farm to School Purchasing Grant

 The WSDA Farm to School program is seeking grant application reviewers to help award Farm to School Purchasing Grants. These grant funds are available to school districts and childcare programs for the purchase and use of Washington-grown foods.

Timeline for Review:

• Reviewer Orientation Call: Tuesday, September 26th from 3-4PM
• Review Period: Monday, October 2nd – Monday, October 9th
• Reviewer Debrief Calls: Wednesday, October 11th- Tuesday, October 17th

 The time commitment for a reviewer is an estimated 10-15 hours or less; however the actual time commitment will vary depending on the number of reviewers and applications received.

 If you are interested in helping to review grant applications and have permission from your supervisor, please fill out this short Reviewer Intake Form by Tuesday, September 19^th or contact the Purchasing Grant Specialist, Claire Finnerty at farmtoschool@agr.wa.gov.  

2. Local Food System Infrastructure Grant

Regional Markets is also seeking grant application reviewers to help award Local Food System Infrastructure Grants. These grants support local food supply chains and market access for farms, ranches, food processors, and food distributors.

Timeline for Review:

• Reviewer Orientation Call: Thursday, October 26th from 4-5PM
• Review Period: November 16th – December 15th, with potential for some follow-up in January.
• Reviewer Debrief Calls: Monday December 11th to Friday, December 15th.

The time commitment for a reviewer is an estimated 20-25 hours; however the actual time commitment will vary depending on the number of reviewers and applications received.

If you are interested in helping to review grant applications and have permission from your supervisor, please fill out this short Reviewer Intake Form by Tuesday, September 19^th or contact the Grant Manager, Galen Van Horn, at galen.vanhorn@agr.wa.gov.

In summary: Regional Markets is looking for grant application reviewers. There are two opportunities.

WSDA Communications Team: New faces, new processes

Over the last few months, you may have seen some new faces when you’ve interacted with the Communications Team. That’s because we hired two new communications consultants June 1st.

With these new team members, we’re now able to provide each division with a dedicated communications resource.

What does that mean for you? It means that when you need communications support, you can reach out directly to your assigned consultant.

Here’s a breakdown for each division and Director Office Programs:

• Admin Services: Kat Kersten and Amber Betts
• Animal Services: Kimberly Vaughn
• Commodity Inspection: Daniel Schafer
• Director’s Office: Kat Kersten
• Food Safety and Consumer Services: Daniel Schafer
• Pesticide Management: Kimberly Vaughn
• Plant Protection: Karla Salp

Media-related items such as press releases, media interviews and media questions should be directed to Amber Betts, Public Information Officer. And as she had for many years, Becca Sotelo will continue creating top-notch graphic designs in collaboration with the division's communication consultants.

What is communications support? Do you need something edited? Do you need an extra set of eyes, or help writing content? Do you need to get the word out about your program, event, or initiative? A flyer? A billboard? Sky writing?

If you need help with any communication efforts, that’s us!

In summary: With new team members, we’re now able to provide each division with a dedicated communications resource. Read here to find out which consultant is designated to support your work.

Exciting changes ahead: Transitioning from Listserv to GovDelivery

Kim Vaughn 
Communications

WSDA is making the shift from Listserv to GovDelivery

We are thrilled to announce some exciting developments! Our agency is undergoing a significant transformation in our communication approach as we transition from Listserv to GovDelivery. This shift represents a momentous stride in our ongoing efforts to connect more effectively with our valued subscribers.

With GovDelivery, we are well-positioned to introduce a multitude of enhancements in how we disseminate crucial news and updates. This transition goes beyond mere technological change; it underscores our steadfast dedication to staying at the forefront of modern communication technology.

In the upcoming weeks, our team will be actively engaged in training and the development of the new GovDelivery platform.

As we embark on this journey towards a more streamlined and engaging communication experience, we invite you to stay tuned for exciting updates and the latest news on the horizon.

We sincerely appreciate your continued support and eagerly anticipate providing the agency with an even more enhanced communication experience through GovDelivery!
If you have any questions, please contact Kimberly.Vaughn@agr.wa.gov.

In summary: WSDA will transition from utilizing Listserv to GovDelivery in the coming months.

NRAS unveils its refreshed identity: Introducing 'Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences’

Kim Vaughn 
Communications

NRAS gets a new name, but keeps its acronym 

After careful consideration and in alignment with our evolving mission and objectives, we are embarking on a transformation journey. We are rebranding our esteemed "Natural Resources Assessment Section" to the dynamic and encompassing "Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences."

This rebranding reflects our commitment to expanding our horizons, fostering innovation, and embracing the evolving landscape of natural resource management. The updated name better encapsulates the diverse spectrum of activities, research, and initiatives we engage in, extending beyond traditional assessment to include cutting-edge agricultural sciences.

Our dedication to excellence, sustainability, and a holistic approach to resource management remains unwavering. As we embark on this exciting rebranding endeavor, we look forward to even more remarkable achievements in the realm of natural resources and agricultural sciences.

Visit the NRAS website to learn more about the program.

In summary: The "Natural Resources Assessment Section" is being renamed to "Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences" to better reflect its evolving mission and objectives.

Moth traps in my home?

A reflection on trapping where unhoused people gather

Kaleb Merwin
WSDA invasive moth trapper

Setting and monitoring moth traps has been an amazing experience for me this summer. I have learned a lot about my city, met many friendly people, and gained some specific skills for finding that “perfect tree.” 

While most people I have met have been curious or even sometimes grateful for the trapping work I do, some are understandably less excited. “You want to put that on one of my trees?” “Are those moths really harmful?” “Is there some kind of outbreak in the neighborhood?” Most who respond this way to a knock at the door are frustrated at the perceived intrusion or worry the presence of the trap signifies that harmful pests are already on their property. The responses I have never heard from someone with a door to knock on are fear, shame, or panic. 

In any major city in America, people live without shelter. In Tacoma, our unhoused population is estimated at nearly 10,000 individuals spread across the city and in constant movement due to encampment sweeps and other threats to their stability and safety. Many displaced people have had unpleasant interactions with public employees, from law enforcement, Department of Transportation officials, and even clerks in public social assistance centers. What should they think then when a sleek state vehicle pulls up to the curb closest to where they have found temporary peace? 

I volunteer in my free time to provide my neighbors without shelter some food and supplies as I am able to. While I am on the job, I don’t necessarily have the time or tools to make these same connections. I am tempted to staple my trap, avoid eye contact, and move on quickly. But I must stop and remember what was taught in training – I am obligated to knock on someone’s door if I wish to put a trap on their property. If I have a conversation with someone about the trap, they are far less likely to pull it down. And importantly: if the person believes a tree to be their property even when you know it isn’t, default to them. The customer is always right. 

I don’t knock on RV and trailer doors. I don’t enter an encampment, just as I would not enter someone’s home. But I do say hello. I do introduce myself. And I do speak as though I am the one asking a favor in someone’s front yard because, for all intents and purposes, I am. Sometimes the first response is fear, panic, or shame. I may not be the first person in a safety vest to approach them, and I’m the one with a staple gun. Speaking calmly and in a friendly voice helps tell the message that I’m here to do good, not make things harder. I personally make a good impression by keeping cold water in a cooler in my trunk. Heat and dehydration are dangerous, and I don’t want any of my neighbors to suffer.

Not every trapper feels safe talking to unhoused strangers, and you should always do what you need to stay safe. I only ask that you remember not all homes have doors, and not all of your neighbors have fences.  

In summary: A WSDA invasive moth trapper reflects on considerations when setting traps in areas where people without housing gather. 

Do you work with WDFW?

A letter to WSDA from WDFW

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is responsible for the management and protection of Washington State’s fish and wildlife resources. The Habitat Program protects the habitat necessary to support fish and wildlife and issues Hydraulic Project Approvals (HPAs) for construction projects or other work in, or near, state waters (Chapter 77.55 RCW). RCW 77.55.351 requires WDFW to make HPA applications accessible to local governments, affected tribes, and other interested parties. WDFW sees an immediate need to update the aging HPA software and database, as well as an opportunity to accomplish other important objectives.

I am reaching out to provide an introduction and an update to our HPA Online Permitting System Replacement Project. It is also important to note that WDFW is not changing or expanding its authority nor its operations. This project provides the agency with an opportunity to examine gaps in the existing system and processes and develop solutions that address those gaps with improved user experience and accessibility.

The project’s objectives are to replace the current Aquatic Protection Permitting System (APPS) with modern infrastructure that enables WDFW to:

• Continue to meet the legal requirements of Chapters 77.55 RCW and 220-660 WAC.
• Improve HPA Online Permitting System functionality.
• Implement defined business processes for providing HPAs.
• Provide a streamlined user experience for administrators and the public.

 

While we anticipate many benefits from this replacement project, I wanted to cover a few specific users and anticipated benefits with the new system:

• Applicants using the new system will enjoy improved mobile device accessibility to provide the greatest flexibility for applying for HPAs and an enhanced dashboard experience allowing greater customization to track updates or needs for their applications.
• Reviewers using the system can expect an improved search function with more options and more searchable project data​ and GIS and mapping integration and support for additional spatial environmental data.
• WDFW Compliance Inspectors will be able to use the new system for their workflows for both permitted and unpermitted work.
• WDFW Habitat Biologists using the system will have fully integrated permit creation from a template library and other permit provisioning improvements as well as closer alignment of the HPA Application and the JARPA form.

The HPA Online Permitting System Replacement Project will result in changes that impact WDFW staff, as well as individuals and groups outside of WDFW, who utilize the permitting system. This includes state and federal agencies, tribes, and local governments who use the system as both applicants and project reviewers. Many of those impacted groups have already been involved in contributing to the HPA Online Permitting System Replacement Project. These groups have participated by voicing their views about what key aspects of the current permitting system (APPS) they would like retained and they have also provided feedback about how they would like to see the new system evolve. I want to take a moment here to thank you if you have participated in these early outreach efforts.

Our next step in the project is to select a system from one of a series of system vendors. After a process of requirements validation with system users, these vendors have been identified as having solutions likely to meet our needs. We will be meeting with the potential vendors in August. During this meeting each vendor will have the opportunity to demonstrate their system to our project’s Evaluation Team who will evaluate each system based on a standard set of criteria developed from the requirements validation process. Once a system is selected, the next step will be to solicit a system integrator: a 3^rd party whose task it is to work with our selected system and configure it to meet the requirements we’ve identified. This system integrator will again be selected using a set of selection criteria by the project’s Evaluation Team. We hope to have the system selection completed in the next 2 months and contracting underway for a system integrator by the end of the year.

Throughout the progress of this project more information will be shared, and we are estimating completion of the project some time in 2025.

If you have questions about the project, please reach out!

• Matt Curtis, Habitat Program Protection Division Manager
• Email: Matthew.Curtis@dfw.wa.gov
• Hannah Faulkner, Protection Division Regulatory Services Section Manager
• Email: Hannah.Faulkner@dfw.wa.gov
• Deirdre Bissonnette, HPA Online Permitting System Replacement Project Manager
• Email: Deirdre.Bissonnette@dfw.wa.gov

 

 In summary: The HPA Online Permitting System Replacement Project will result in changes that impact WDFW staff, as well as individuals and groups outside of WDFW, who utilize the permitting system.

Become a C.A.L.M. communicator with this training opportunity

Daniel Schafer
Communications

We are excited to announce a two-part training series designed to empower you with essential skills to
handle intense interactions and become a C.A.L.M. Communicator. This training will be held via Teams and facilitated by Tony Cloud, a renowned international speaker and trainer.

The trainings are voluntary, and some WSDA employees have already completed part one of the training. If you’ve already completed part 1, you are welcome to attend part 2 to complete the training or attend both sessions in order to get a refresher. WSDA employees are allowed to participate in this training during work hours with approval from their supervisor.

Part 1: Aggression vs. violence: Understanding the difference and how to verbally de-escalate intense interactions

September 14th from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Part 1 of the training will lay the groundwork for effective communication by exploring the differences between aggression and violence and what drives these behaviors. By gaining a deeper understanding, you will be better equipped to respond appropriately to different situations. The session will also focus on developing verbal de-escalation techniques to create a C.A.L.M. environment during intense interactions. As a result, we aim to build a culture of well-being and reduce tension and burnout within our workplaces.

Part 2: Aggression vs violence: Building verbal de-escalation skills and becoming a C.A.L.M. communicator

October 4th from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

In Part 2, we will delve further into the concepts introduced in Part 1. The session will include interactive scenarios reflecting real-life workplace situations, where you will be encouraged to apply the C.A.L.M. principles. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a knowledge check to reinforce their learning. The highlight of this session is the chance to receive active feedback and live coaching from an experienced C.A.L.M. communicator. By the end of Part 2, you will have honed your soft skills, making you adept at harmoniously interacting with diverse people through verbal de-escalation techniques.

Benefits of becoming a C.A.L.M. communicator

1. Create connection: You will learn how to build rapport and connect with others, even in high-pressure situations. This will lead to improved relationships among colleagues and stakeholders.

2. Avoid escalation: By recognizing the signs of potential escalation, you can defuse tense situations before they spiral out of control, ensuring a safer and more productive workplace.

3. Listen reflectively: Effective communication begins with active listening. As a C.A.L.M. communicator, you will develop the skill of listening attentively and responding thoughtfully.

4. Make a proposal: The training will equip you with the confidence to propose solutions and suggestions respectfully, promoting a collaborative work environment.

This training will not only benefit you personally but also contribute to the overall positive atmosphere within our organization. In order to participate, please sign up using the registration link provided in your email. The sessions will be interactive and engaging, and you will have ample opportunities to ask questions and share your insights.

Let's work together to create a workplace where everyone feels respected, heard, and valued. We look forward to seeing you at the training!

In summary: WSDA is offering a two-part training designed to empower employees with essential skills to handle intense interactions and become a C.A.L.M. Communicator.