Walking or planking – how do we stay fit?

Kathy Davis
Communications

Front row, left to right; Tina Zimmerman, Courtney Shepler,
Kelle Davis. Back row; Kathy Bernard and Amy-Jo Shriner,
Performance Management team member out walking
at the same time as the Pesticide staff group. 

Beyond the regularly organized activities sponsored by the Natural Resources Building (NRB) Wellness Committee, some WSDA employees are taking the initiative to boost their health quotient throughout the day. 

Take the walking group from the Pesticide Management Division for example. It started sometime in the past two years, said Kelle Davis, Registration and Licensing Program manager. After losing more than 100 pounds, Kelle was looking for ways to stay active to maintain her weight. 

As more division staff joined in, it became a group-walk activity. They gather and head out of the building at 10:30 and 3:30 most every day for a 15-minute loop around the Capitol Campus. Several in the group are counting steps with Fitbits. 

The walking group also includes Kathy Bernard, Robin Schoen-Nessa, Tina Zimmerman, Steve Foss, Erik Johansen, Shannon Lumsden, Eddie Simons, and Courtney Shepler.

As many walkers participate as possible, depending on the day’s work responsibilities. They go rain or shine. “We have umbrellas,” Kelle noted with a laugh, adding that the group may be smaller on rainy days. 

Planking for health

Planking time in Pesticide Management - From bottom, clock-
wise: Courtney Shepler, Matt Trujillo, Kelle Davis, Rickie
Johnson, Lindsey Moses and Tina Zimmerman. 

Then a group in Rickie Johnson’s Pesticide Management’s Customer Service Unit took up “planking” during the workday – inspired by the Organics Program (read on). 

If you have never heard of planking, it involves holding yourself up off the floor with hands or forearms and toes or knees, holding your torso flat and straight like a plank. 

Erin Coyle, an organic certification specialist, initiated planking in the Organics area. Before starting at WSDA about a year ago, Erin did field work in the private sector. As an avid runner accustomed to being active, the day-long desk job has been an adjustment. 

“Running works the legs and back, but I needed to build upper body strength and planking is great for that,” Erin said. 

A dedicated group of “plankers” get down on the floor a couple times a day (at 11 and 3). Based on a cell phone timer, they switch position every 30 seconds for a total of 2 minutes. 

Organic plankers pictured above are Rachel Seman-Varner (hand, front),  and by shirt color; Erin Coyle (maroon), Angela Anegon (white), Jen Tillman (red), Colleen Hayes (blue), Sarah Wiley (light gray) and Michelle Tynan (green). 

“It’s a good way to overcome those late morning and after-lunch slumps,” Erin said.

Building laps

And have you seen the three amigos making the rounds through NRB during the work day? They are Karla Salp, Susie Allen, and April Milan. They’ve made a habit of taking mini-breaks to walk around the cubicles at the NRB almost every hour. 

Susie Allen, April Milan and Karla Salp, looking
energized from their mini walking break. 

Karla started the walks not long after joining WSDA in November 2015. She found that regular breaks were better for her eyes (giving them a rest from staring at the computer screen) and the walks also prevented back pain from sitting all day. 

After a while, Susie stopped Karla and asked what she was doing, and then Susie joined Karla. Not long after, April became the third member. 

A unique thing about this walking gang is that they don’t regularly work together. Karla’s in Communications, Susie in Plant Protection Division, and April’s with Animal Services. The walking has brought them together, resulting in both improved health and new friendship.


In summary: Some WSDA employees have found inspiring ways to increase their health and productivity during the workday. Read about a few examples from the Natural Resources Building - from group walks to planking, these folks are taking the wellness initiative. 

Kim Eads lauded with Governor’s leadership award

Hannah Street
Communications

When it comes to Washington state agency leadership, competition for recognition is stiff.

WSDA’s Kim Eads joined the ranks of 20 other 2017 Governor’s Leadership in Management Award winners. The 21 winners who made the cut from 47 statewide nominees convened at a celebratory luncheon on June 6 at the Executive Mansion in Olympia.

Kim Eads talks with WSDA director Derek Sandison during 
the Governor's Leadership in Management Awards luncheon on June 6.

In a written statement, Gov. Jay Inslee conveyed the exemplary traits of a Leadership in Management Award winner: “These managers have set priorities and achieved results, managed risk and modeled leadership attributes,” he said.

“I’m surprised, honored, and humbled,” Kim said of the recognition. “I appreciate the agency’s support and the great people I work with to accomplish the work we do.”

Kim is the Food Assistance and Regional Markets (FARM) program manager. She oversees food assistance programs which help families in need, and strategizes price support. The awards program details the specific notable efforts Kim took as a manager. Last year, she partnered with the Dairy Farmers of Washington to conduct a farm tour for policymakers. This taught them about dairy and produce farms and food pantries, and helped clarify “long-standing confusion” about livestock, game, and food pantries.

(From left to right) Kim's father Brian H. Barker, Kim Eads, 

Washington state Governor Jay Inslee, and WSDA Director Derek Sandison.

In addition, Kim organized a group which developed donation guidelines for both local, community donors and the hundreds of food pantries and food banks across the state.

“Kim is an exceptional manager,” Assistant Director Candace Jacobs wrote.

Candace emphasized how fortunate the agency is to work with “such an extraordinary individual.” She described the conscientious qualities of a manager who is meticulous about meeting deadlines and maintaining excellent stakeholder relationships, while displaying enthusiasm with her team.
Kim said the award opens up new opportunities to connect with previous winners, learn from other leaders, and participate in educational events.

The prestige and milestone-status of this award is as much individually significant to the winners. “This has been a great year of personal growth,” Kim said, “and the best part was being able to invite my dad to the luncheon and share this memory with him; that was priceless.”


In summary: WSDA FARM program manager earns recognition at the June 6 Governor’s Leadership in Management Awards luncheon. Kim is one of 21 statewide managers who received the honor of this award in 2017. 

Safety award winners model excellent workplace practice

Hannah Street
Communications

WSDA’s Safety Recognition Program is gaining traction.

The Hard Hat Award is a new part of the program, recognizing WSDA employees who promote the motto “Safety Matters” through demonstrating a commitment to safe workplace behavior and practices.

“There’s been a huge shift in improving safety,” said Ron Hussung, WSDA Risk and Safety manager.

“Some people have been here a really long time – like 40 years – and have never been in an accident and practice safe workplace behaviors and have never gotten that recognition. This gives them a real sense of pride and ownership.”

Hard Hat Award recipients are presented with a red, white and blue hard hat or a safety vest. Anyone can be nominated for an award, Ron said, and anyone can reach out to a safety officer to nominate someone. 

“Supervisors can submit names, but we also do outreach to recognize people who are clearly showing a commitment to safety,” Ron said.

Improvements to the safety programming at WSDA have improved communication and results, he said. “There’s more interaction between us. It’s definitely bridged a gap.”

In addition to the Hard Hat Award, there’s a general safety email for connecting with and improving the Safety Program. “People feel like they have an open door to connect or share concerns, on anything from forklifts and hot water to slippery surfaces.”

Recent winners

Recent Hard Hat Award winners exemplify a commitment to safety improvement at WSDA.

Lyndon, David and Minden pose

 in their Hard Hat Award gear.

David Hecimovich, Lyndon Badcoe and Minden Buswell in the Animal Services Division were intently focused on safety when the division hauled out their emergency equipment. They performed a tremendous amount of work to make sure equipment was functional, secure and safe for staff to use.  Additionally, following in their tradition of hands-on trainings, David, Lyndon and Minden conducted equipment safety training.

Caleb poses in his awarded hard hat.

Caleb James in the Spokane office of Food Safety and Consumer Services, requested a ride-along with the safety team to observe potential safety hazards at his worksite. He also asked for support to improve his lifting technique. Caleb demonstrated excellent safe workplace behavior and helped Robert Ambriz, Eastern Washington safety officer, gain a better understanding of the daily hazards Caleb faces.

Kjersten shows off her new hard hat.

Kjersten Braaten-Fierros from Hops Plant Protection keeps safety in the forefront of workplace activities and regularly volunteers her time to work through safety issues. She is incredibly conscientious about problem solving, and often fixes safety issues without being asked.

In summary: Ron Hussung discusses the benefits of safety program communication and awards, and the WSDA’s Safety Recognition Program welcomes a new group of inductees into the Hard Hat Award winners’ hall of fame.

Plant Services inspectors take field trip to Kent nursery

Scott Brooks
Plant Services Program

Plant inspector Benita Matheson from the Ephrata office
checks plants at the Kent East Hill Nursery. 

It’s the time of year when gardeners visit their local nursery in search of the perfect new plant to add to their yards. Inspectors with WSDA’s Plant Services Program know that consumers do not want to take home destructive pests or diseases along with their nursery purchases. 

To hone their nursery inspection skills, program staff took a field trip to Kent East Hill Nursery last month. Nine inspectors, two supervisors, two secretaries and the program manager attended. It was the first time the entire program visited a nursery together.

When program inspectors visit a licensed nursery, they’re on the lookout for unhealthy plants or those that could be in violation of Washington state quarantines.  They’ll examine a plant closely for signs of a problem. They may discover aphids under the leaves, a grub hiding in a pot, or fungal spores causing a canker. 

If a quarantine pest is suspected or could be present, those plants are ordered destroyed or returned to the originating state. The aim is to protect Washington’s agricultural sectors by ensuring those pests do not get established here. 

Practicing plant inspection

Some plants observed on the program's nursery
tour appeared to have a type of leaf scorch. 

During the Kent East Hill tour, inspectors worked in small groups, spreading out around the nursery. They looked for pests, reviewed invoices and inspection paperwork and shared their personal approach to nursery inspection with the group.  

They also practiced issuing an inspection report for the nursery, done electronically through the WSDA PISCES system. Inspectors noted grapevines, blueberry plants and non-sterile cultivars of Buddleja davidii (Butterfly bush) offered for sale that did not comply with Washington state quarantines. 

All the non-compliant material had recently been shipped from a nursery in California. The plants were ordered returned or destroyed. The experience offered the group much to discuss when they debriefed after the inspection. 

The nursery field trip was a great opportunity for training and collaboration. The program extends special thanks to Kent East Hill Nursery for hosting the field trip. 

At the end of the day, the group discussed future field trips they could take focused on their other duties, such as export inspection. 

A gray day at Kent East Hill Nursery.

In summary: Plant Services Program staff used their group field trip to a Kent nursery to hone their inspection skills by practicing and collaborating. Read about their tour and what the program does for Washington. 

Gypsy moth trappers learn public relations ropes

Hannah Street
Communications

In WSDA’s Cleveland Lab in Tumwater, seven gypsy moth trappers gathered around a conference room table crowded with paper plates of pizza remnants and training materials. Karla Salp, WSDA outreach and education specialist, stood before them, infographics and informational materials in hand, to talk public relations strategy.

This presentation was familiar territory for Karla, who joined the WSDA gypsy moth program in November 2015. Her role grew and necessitated a position in the communications department, where she now works with everything from press outreach to social media. 

Karla Salp delivers a presentation to gypsy moth trapper training
 attendees at the Cleveland Lab building on June 1.

Moths and the media

Karla’s presentation was especially significant for gypsy moth trappers considering the media attention moth trapping (and instances of subsequent spraying) garners. There’s a history of protests and public distrust of pesticide-related events, and gypsy moth season has seen its fair share of coverage.

The WSDA’s response to the media attention has been proactive and largely positively received – Communications Director Hector Castro received a national award for gypsy moth public outreach programming in 2016 – but the need to inform and prepare trappers for public relations situations remains.

Gypsy moth trappers review presentation materials.
Left to right: Field Supervisor Tracy Shirek, Bob Devine, and Frank Geib.

On the record

Karla’s presentation prepared trappers for myriad publicity situations. When every comment reflects on the WSDA, it is important trappers feel comfortable with answering or deferring questions and understanding interview etiquette.

Karla said reporters might approach trappers for an interview while they are on the job, which can catch workers off-guard. She emphasized the technical components of media relations, like knowing when to refer someone to a public information officer (PIO) and what information to ask reporters (name, contact information, and deadline). 

Some journalism practices aren't general knowledge to the public, like how closing a notebook or lowering a recording device does not indicate the end of an interview. Everything is on the record, Karla said, until the reporter is gone. 

Bob Devine compares information on his phone with 

another training attendee.

Concerned citizens

Karla also touched on the more human impulses related to public relations, like the desire to deescalate tense situations with absolute statements (“We would never allow pesticide to drift outside the treatment zone.”) or hazard a guess in response to a question.

Instead, Karla suggested using calming communication tactics, like validating concerns or finding a common ground, and steering the conversation in a more productive direction by providing more information or relaying questions to a public information officer. 

One training attendee said that in his experience, trappers are often asked about DDT spraying, even though the chemical hasn’t been used in decades (the EPA banned the pesticide in 1972).

“People hear ‘pesticide’ and just immediately think ‘DDT’,” he said.

Acknowledging the concern, Karla said, is a good approach. The public has the right to and often greatly appreciates information, especially when their property and community is involved. This is where trappers can be a helpful public communications resource. Knowing the agency's communication channels, Karla explained, allows trappers to be the connection empowering the public with information and informing WSDA managers what concerns citizens have regarding their programs.

If you would like to read some of the tips Karla shared with the gypsy moth team, visit the Communications Office webpage on our intranet and review the Connecting with the News Media fact sheet. 

Trappers react to photos pf gypsy moth devastation during a public relations training presentation on June 1. From left
to right (around table): Kimberly McGinnis, Kami Koyamatsu, Diane Tarver, Allyn Oligher, Tracy Shirek, and Bob Devine. 

In summary: WSDA’s gypsy moth trapper training covered every practicality of the seasonal job. It also featured a training session that equipped trappers with the skills and resources needed to effectively communicate with the media and the public.

NRB work space – changes, moving, and planning ongoing

Kathy Davis
Communications

The Specialty Crop Block Grant team in their new digs. From
left, Leisa Schumaker, Tricia Bertsch, and Lyndsey Erickson. 

You’ve probably noticed lots of activity in the building relocating WSDA staff and reconfiguring space for their needs. 

“Available office space tends to be a finite factor, while our agency’s responsibilities and customer demands continue to grow” said Deputy Director Kirk Robinson. “Innovative strategies and smart planning will be necessary to make the most of all our floorplan footprint.”  

For specifics on where and why people are moving, please check with your supervisor or assistant director. We appreciate your patience and understanding as workers reconfigure cubicles and co-workers are relocated. 

Space planning continues

The NRB Space Workgroup, composed of assistant directors and administrative staff, continues to plan for short- and long-term solutions to our headquarters space needs. 

Meanwhile, the state’s Office of Financial Management has just established new policy regarding space use that applies to all agencies in state-owned or leased facilities. So, as we proceed, WSDA’s space decisions will need to align with this policy. 

Change is a constant

While our planning is ongoing and evolving, some changes have been approved and are moving forward. 

For instance, the Natural Resources Assessment Section (NRAS) and Specialty Crop Block Grants Program teams are now settled into space on the third floor of NRB, and their vacated space is being reconfigured for current and future needs.

Also, information technology (IT) Service Desk reps are being consolidated into a centralized location – along aisle 2-12 below the Pesticide Management sign.  

Agency leadership has also approved the workgroup’s recommendation to combine small conference room 251 and former IT office 252 to create larger meeting space. The wall separating the two rooms will be removed.  

In addition, Kristin Rondeau, Performance and Planning Office manager, will move to room 250 to be closer to her team, and Yoshi Ouye, chief technology officer, will move into Kristin’s current office, room 223. Yoshi’s current spot, room 243, will become a small conference room and hoteling station, which will be on a first-come/first-get (no reserving) basis. 

The workgroup is discussing a number of other changes to meet NRB’s growing needs for work space, more conference rooms and drop-in hoteling. 

Staff input important

Example of copy/supply room spaghetti diagram. 

Results of the “spaghetti diagram” exercise staff participated in earlier this year showed heavy usage of the existing division copy/supply rooms. Therefore, these will not be consolidated; they’ll be left as is. Thanks to all who took take part in this tool that provided important data for decision-making. 

The bullpen space pilot in Pesticide Management is another area where the workgroup would appreciate staff input. The concept of open team collaborative space, combined with drop-in hoteling spots for visiting staff, is still a work in progress. That’s why we run pilots, to learn what works well and what doesn’t. 

Rather than change up the configuration, the group would like to hear your ideas on how to use the existing bullpen space. Watch for details about where and how to submit your comments. 

Stay tuned – you’ll hear more as developments are finalized. Space is not a new frontier; it’s an ongoing and fluid topic. 

In summary: Planning for staff space needs in WSDA’s headquarters offices in the Natural Resources Building is ongoing to meet the agency’s growing program responsibilities and customer expectations.

State vet serves in Kodiak Island mission

Kathy Davis
Communications

Dr. Joseph, right, with mission
colleague and canine patient. 

When several military units descended on Kodiak Island, Alaska in late March, it was a win-win-win operation. WSDA’s state veterinarian, Dr. Brian Joseph, was among those who participated in the Arctic Care 2017 mission to Alaska. 

The villages in the Kodiak area have little access to medical, dental, optometry and veterinarian care. The seasonal economy means many residents work in fisheries, canning or tourism and lack the financial resources to afford these services. For example, vet care is unavailable unless residents pay to have animals flown to other locations.  

Enter Arctic Care, an Innovative Readiness Training Operation, to both support the underserved native and Alaskan population and provide training to reservists in several branches of the military. 

“It’s an opportunity to use our skills in an austere environment and practice delivering health care in the event of disaster or conflict,” said Dr. Joseph. “It’s not like being at home. We lived in field tents on Kodiak Island, with gale-force winds, working with people we’d just met.”

As a member of the Army Reserve Veterinary Service, he has been on a number of these missions, in Africa, the Middle East and Central America. 

In total during the Alaska operation, the vet team performed 1,625 veterinary procedures on 493 dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and one pig, including: 
- 252 dogs and 39 cats immunized against rabies.
- 521 other vaccinations administered.
- 53 spay or neuter surgeries.
- 123 deworming procedures.

Dr. Joseph noted that getting to know the people was as important as providing care to their animals. Deployed personnel learned about the residents’ stories, such as those of the many immigrants who work in the local canneries. One person told Dr. Joseph of a son who aspired to attend a military academy, so the doctor has written letters to senators recommending the young man. 

“This is the reason I joined the military – to do humanitarian missions like this,” he said.

To learn more about Arctic Care 2017, including videos (some featuring Dr. Joseph), check out the mission’s Facebook page.

In summary: WSDA's own Dr. Brian Joseph took part in a humanitarian mission, providing veterinary care in the Kodiak Island, Alaska area. Reserves from several military units gained training and residents accessed health care services through Arctic Care 2017.