WSDA tracks action as Legislature goes into overtime

Larry Sheahan
Policy Team

The 2017 regular legislative session ended on April 23 without final agreement on a budget for the 2017-2019 biennium. Gov. Inslee called a 30-day special session beginning on Monday, April 24, and he urged the House and Senate to continue budget negotiations.

During the regular session, a number of proposals of interest to WSDA passed the Legislature and are awaiting the Governor’s signature. One allows WSDA to establish a fee-based, organic-like certified marijuana program, and another gives the agency new authority to regulate the sanitary processing of marijuana-infused edibles. Two others update our weighmaster statute and create a grant program in WSDA to provide assistance for nonlethal management of wolves. 

A bill which was signed by the Governor on April 17 grew out of a class project for the AgForestry Leadership Program. It replaces WSDA’s cumbersome mandatory seed arbitration program with a streamlined and less costly mediation process. 

Budget items of interest to WSDA which will likely be part of the negotiations include funding requests for our food safety lab, the gypsy moth eradication program and for increased costs associated with regulating the marijuana industry. 

"Potato Day" hosted by the Potato Commission is always
a popular event at the state Capitol during legislative session. 

Other possible issues of interest include: 

• Funding for the agency’s small farm direct marketing program.
• A fee increase for the weights and measures program. 
• Potential cuts to the spartina program.
• Fair funding.
• Salary increases for state employees.
• Funding for an aquaculture coordinator. 

Stay tuned; as we hear news about a budget agreement, we will keep you updated.

In summary: The 2017 regular legislative session is over and now lawmakers have moved into special session to work on the budget. Several actions will or could affect WSDA. Here’s an update.

AgForestry Program cultivates leaders now and into the future

Kathy Davis
Communications

Jimmy Carter was president. Annie Hall and Animal House were popular movies. Ben and Jerry opened their first store in Vermont. Also in 1978, the AgForestry Leadership Program was founded to cultivate leaders in Washington State’s natural resources sector – farming, forestry and fisheries. 

The program will soon select members of Class 40, marking four decades of offering intensive, hands-on learning for participants. 

While she could not give an exact number, Deborah Moore, AgForestry vice president and program director noted “A number of well-qualified WSDA employees have participated in the program over the 39 years we have been training leaders.” 

More than 1,000 program alumni form a network of industry and government leaders in our state, including former WSDA director and now Congressman Dan Newhouse. 

Chery Sullivan, far left, is pictured with the women of Class 38
visiting a temple in India. 

Chery Sullivan, technical and compliance specialist in WSDA’s Dairy Nutrient Management Program, graduates from Class 38 on April 28. She said she became interested in the program after being hired here in 2012 and hearing people outside the agency, such as Conservation District staff, recommend it. Turned out her supervisor, Ginny Prest, was an AgForestry alum and encouraged her to apply. 

Range of leadership training

Each class is comprised of 24 participants. Over the 18-month class term, AgForestry presents 12 leadership seminars, on topics covering government, economics, international trade, communications, media relations, water issues, the environment and criminal justice. 

Each class also spends one week in Washington D.C. learning about the federal government and takes a two-week international study trip outside the U.S. For example, Chery toured India and Nepal in January 2017. 

Kim Eads at the Lincoln
Memorial. 

The nation’s capital was a highlight for Kim Eads, Food Assistance and Regional Markets Program manager, currently in Class 39. “That experience brought so much of the learning together,” she said. “Going to Gettysburg and learning the history was so inspiring, realizing the links to today.” 

Rianne Perry, newly appointed program manager for International Marketing, noted that going through the program gives a level of credibility that is an opening to making connections. 

“It’s a great way for us in government to show those in private industry that we’re real people too,” said Rianne, Class 35. “In our classes, we are ambassadors to breaking down those stereotypes.”

Big personal commitment 

Participating in the AgForestry Leadership Program is a big commitment, in terms of both finances and time, all three confirmed. Participants are expected to pay $6,000 over two years. WSDA employees accepted into the program may request full or partial funding for participation fees, subject to available funding (see policy POL-AM-101). Travel costs and per diem are not reimbursed by the department. 

Being part of the program while holding down a full-time state job means “you use evenings and weekends to fit it all in,” Kim said. “But it’s definitely worth it!”

In fact, as acknowledgement of the time commitment, applicants must submit a statement of support from their spouses or “significant others.” Chery noted that four members of her class – two women, two men – became new parents while participating. 

How WSDA benefits

Kim, Rianne and Chery all agreed that the program provides big benefits in their current jobs. 

Rianne Perry (fourth from left) touring
fish hatchery with her class. 

“The learning is so broad, everything can be incorporated into your work,” Rianne said. 

Chery said the program “has given me confidence to learn how others approach different situations – to look through their lens – in the office or on the farm.” 

It also creates a lifetime of friends and connections. Kim said the alumni reunions are great, with amazing dialog, conversation and continuing professional development. 

How to apply

For details on how to apply, visit the AgForestry website. Also be sure to review WSDA policy POL-AM-101, which covers the process of evaluating and approving WSDA staff who want to apply. 

In summary: The AgForestry Leadership Program has been cultivating leaders in Washington State's farming, fishing and forestry industries for nearly 40 years, including many WSDA employees who have built their skills and careers through the program. 

Deanna and Jennifer’s most excellent ride-along

Sue Welch
Plant Services Program

Deanna Painter, Sue Welch and Jennifer
Wagner on their ride-along day. 

Deanna Painter, division coordinator with our Plant Protection Division and Jennifer Wagner, human resources consultant, wanted to experience a typical work day in the life of a nursery and export specialist. As an environmental specialist stationed in Chehalis, I was happy to show Deanna and Jennifer what we do to protect and regulate our industry.

We started the day with export commodity inspections, specifically at a lumber mill. I explained that in order to issue phytosanitary certificates to exporters, commodities must be inspected and found to comply with the importing countries’ requirements. 

In this case, I was inspecting hardwood lumber, which is generally exported to Asia, mostly China. The lumber must be kiln-dried, with a low moisture content, to ensure that no wood pests are alive inside. I demonstrated how I use a moisture meter to check the lumber to be sure it meets the standard.

Nursery inspections

Next, we inspected two nurseries: a large retail store’s garden center and a small local nursery. This process follows a general procedure, but varies according to the type of nursery business. A number of different issues are covered at each inspection, depending on what is being sold. 

For example, nurseries that bring plants in from outside of Washington are required to notify WSDA, so we can make sure these plants meet our quarantine requirements. 

Two common nursery plants, blueberries and grapes, must be certified as free of certain pests and diseases, to protect our state’s agricultural producers.

Some of things we look for during inspections are:

• Pest and disease signs and symptoms.
• Proper tagging of plants for identification.
• The presence of prohibited invasive plants.
• Excessive weeds.
• Dead or dying plants.

Luckily, none of these problems were found during our two nursery inspections that day. But when our inspectors do find problems, they work with the owners or managers to resolve issues in accordance with state law.

This was a fairly typical work day as an inspector, including lots and lots of rain! Hopefully Deanna and Jennifer enjoyed learning about this work as much as I enjoyed having them ride along.

In summary: Two staffers tag along with Plant Services inspector, Sue Welsh, on a typical workday, inspecting hardwood lumber and nursery products. 

Has a colleague been AWESOME? Thank them!

Kathy Davis
Communications

Card racks offering colorful “Thanks for Being Awesome” notepads are now sprouting up around WSDA like spring flowers. 

These small sheets of paper offer a new and additional way to recognize our colleagues for great work. It’s quick and easy to write a simple thank-you note to someone who’s helped you out in a jam or done an especially good job that you’ve noticed. 

The recognition notepads are being distributed across the agency, including to regional offices.

How does it feel to receive a “you’re awesome” note? Here are three reactions:

Ashley Blowers, Administrative Services: “It made me smile. We all do lots of work each day that oftentimes seems to go unnoticed – the note was a nice reminder to keep on keepin’ on. I like that there's now a less formal way to recognize people.”

Paige Beck, Emergency Management: The “note was a fun and cheerful way to be thanked for a small, every day task that would normally go unnoticed. It was exciting to get a little colorful note on my keyboard as I started the morning.”

Vanessa Martinez, Financial Services: “Receiving a personalized thank you is a wonderful feeling. Taking a moment to acknowledge a coworker is something we should all do on a regular basis.” 

Remember, QUICK Awards are another way to recognize someone whose work performance goes above and beyond. Fill out a QUICK award here.  

In summary: There’s a new way to recognize colleagues who have helped you out or done an especially good job – look for “Thanks for being awesome” notepads.