Participants in the Cultural Transformation team building event learned about Asian Pacific culture through a hula presentation.

By Latawnya Dia, FSA public affairs specialist

Foods from around the world, games shows and entertainment flowed out of the third floor, sixth wing of the USDA South Building last week as the FSA direct loan and funds management branch held a week-long team building activity centered around Cultural Transformation.

The brainchild of Connie Holman, a supervisor in the branch, the event was designed to instill a greater sense of teamwork while taking employees out of their comfort zone.

“I wanted it to be more than a day of activities that encourage people to work cooperatively,” said Holman. “It seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine this challenge with the Secretary’s Cultural Transformation initiative.” Continue reading →

USDA employees participated in the annual Ride to Word day. Pictured (l to r): Trevor Long, Denny Skiles, Mark Cox, Danny Petersen, David Grey, John Steer, Jim Conlon, Jose Callejas and Cliff Ruben.

Nearly 6,000 miles of state highway and countless miles of canyon roadways provided a spectacular view for several Salt Lake City FSA employees who took the challenge to reduce their carbon footprint and consume fewer resources per mile by riding motorcycles to work last week.

The annual Ride to Work Day for motorcyclists across the country was held June 18 and employees from the FSA Aerial Photography Field Office and the U.S. Forest Service housed in the West Valley section of Salt Lake City, Utah, took full advantage of the opportunity.

The trek began at 6 a.m. in the outer reaches of the Utah countryside. “It was already 70 degrees, but if you were lucky you could catch a cool breeze off the water as you pass by,” said Denny Skiles, chief, FSA Operations Branch and team organizer. Continue reading →

Producers and rural residents across the nation are encouraged to sign up for the 2012 Census of Agriculture by July 1. The sign-up period is the first step in conducting the actual census, which begins in December. The sign-up survey was mailed to farmers, ranchers and rural residents earlier this year. Those who received the survey can respond by mail or online. After the first few questions, those not considered a producer will not need to continue. Responses will help USDA obtain the best possible coverage for the 2012 Census of Agriculture and also help build a list that will identify producers who will take the actual survey. Learn more or sign up to be counted.

By Latrice Hill, FSA outreach program lead

Deputy Administrator for Field Operations Mike Wooden (pictured on right) with Acting Deputy Under Secretary Karis Gutter and FSA Administrator Bruce Nelson)

Deputy Administrator for Field Operations Michael L. Wooden is counting down the days until he rides off into the sunset headed for sweet retirement life. For more than 30 years, Wooden has been a part of the Farm Service Agency.

After years as a vocational agriculture teacher, his FSA career started in the County Office Trainee (COT) Program. Following years of serving as county executive director in Giles and Loudon counties in Virginia, he served as the Southwest Virginia district director, supervising 13 counties.

He also served as an 1890 Agricultural Liaison at VA State University — the link between the university and USDA. In 2009, the Obama Administration appointed him as Virginia state executive director. After a year he was promoted to Deputy Administrator for Field Operations in DC.

So, what’s ahead for the deputy? Riding his beloved Harley motorcycle.

Congratulations Mike! Thank you for your service to FSA, USDA and the farmers of America.

An early warm-up to spring followed by freezing temperatures is creating a hardship for orchards in Michigan. The unpredictable weather caused a 90 percent loss in the apple crop in some areas across the state, according to Christine White, Michigan FSA state executive director. Juan Garcia, deputy administrator for farm programs said it could take several years to bounce back from a disaster like this. Read more (The Times Herald).

Researchers are recommending that growers of winter wheat reduce tillage on their summer fallow lands. Stewart Wuest, soil scientist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, suggests delaying tillage and leaving soil rough to maintain moisture. Some farmers believe they need to seal up clunky mulch on their soil to prevent moisture loss. Wuest said the surface doesn’t have to be smooth as long as fine particles are mixed in with the clods. Read more (Capital Ag Press).