Photo: The NOP Standards Team (Adam Diamond, Andrea Holm, Franklin Halprin, Michelle Arsenault, Devon Pattillo, Valeria Frances, Erin Healy, Jared Clark, and Jason Edmondson) take in the sunny sights in Old Sacramento.

In October, the National Organic Program (NOP) Standards team traveled to Sacramento, CA, to attend the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Fall Meeting. The meeting serves as a unique platform for organic stakeholders to share perspectives and connect with the board's and NOP team. This was the first time the NOSB had met in person since 2019 due to the pandemic, and the meeting was a hybrid format that allowed more than 120 stakeholders to attend in person and more than 70 to join virtually. Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt opened the meeting with introductory remarks, and NOP Deputy Administrator Jennifer Tucker provided program and enforcement updates for the organic community.

The NOSB performs a critical role in protecting organic integrity by reviewing and recommending updates to the National List of Allowed Synthetic and Prohibited Natural Substances, which describes what substances may and may not be used in organic production. The Board committees generally meet monthly, and they also hold two public meetings each year where they review public petitions and make recommendations to the department on matters that impact the organic industry. 

Photo: Dorian LaFond (left) engages with IOC Deputy Director Jaime Lillo (center) and Luis Planas, Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (right).

Climate change was identified as the greatest threat to the olive industry, and the IOC advised the global olive industry to immediately implement policies and practices at national and farm levels to mitigate its negative impact.

The U.S. delegation presented on U.S. olive production and the U.S. market for olive oils. The United States is the IOC’s main olive oil export market, whereas IOC members account for almost 95 percent of the U.S. olive oil market share, which was valued at approximately $1.5 billion in 2021.

Photo: Dana White (front) and Dorian LaFond (back) tour a Spanish olive oil producing facility.

Dorian’s and Dana’s representation of the United States at the session was appreciated by all participants. Their perspectives on behalf the world’s largest olive oil importer helped the IOC address a range of consumer safety and purity issues, and will be integral to a cooperative revision of the Codex Standard for Olive and Olive Pomace Oils.

Thanks to Dorian and Dana for their productive representation of the United States.

Meeting presentations addressed the IOC’s annual reports on the international production of olives and the olive oil trade, as well as reports from the three IOC subcommittees.
 

Photo: Dorian LaFond (center-right) and Dana White far-(right) attend 116th Session of the International Olive Council (IOC) Council of Members in Spain.

The FY 2022 Unconscious Bias Training developed by OASCR introduces the concept of Unconscious Bias.  Learners will gain knowledge about the brain science behind bias and learn more about why all humans hold bias. The video program will help learners understand the impact of bias on everyday interactions and experiences and will provide practical strategies for recognizing and interrupting it at work.

Course: Understanding and Interrupting Unconscious Bias (usda.gov)

The completion target date is January 18, 2023

The current USDA’s Response Rate is 42% and the Top 5 Agencies are OCFO 49%, OIG 53%, FSIS 61%, RMA 62%, and NAD 67%. Help AMS reach our goal of 100% participation by January 18! 

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Suzette Wilson at Suzette.Wilson@usda.gov. For technical assistance, waivers, and reasonable accommodations please contact your Aglearn administrator.

Message from USDA Civil Rights 

Do you believe the idea that everyone should be treated fairly when they’re considered for various employment decisions (including hiring, promotion, termination, compensation, etc.)? Do you believe that anyone competing for a position in AMS should have the same chances of succeeding if they’re qualified for the job? Do you believe the principle which asserts all people should have the right to work and advance on the bases of their merit and ability, despite race, age, sex, color, religion, disability, national origin or age? Do you believe in an AMS workforce culture that doesn’t accept any kind of discriminatory behavior?

Learn More

As 2022 comes to an end, I would like to thank all AMS staff for your service and commitment to building a workplace where we each can show up fully and authentically every day. Each of us plays a role in creating an inclusive space and contributing positively as agents for change. While building this space has been, and will continue to be, challenging at times, I have come to realize there are no obstacles we cannot overcome when we use the unique experiences, contributions, and perspectives each of you bring. I look forward to meeting those challenges with you in the coming year as we continue on our path to an AMS that is more equitable, inclusive, and accessible.

May you and your family enjoy a safe and great holiday season!

Lorenzo A. Tribbett

AMS Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

We are looking for photos of AMS employees in action where they work and pictures of the commodities they work with. Our goal is to create an engaging environment for everyone to participate in that showcases the diversity of jobs in AMS. So far, we have gotten some great photos, so keep them coming! See what we have added so far: AMS in Action

Submission Guidelines:

• Submit photos to amsinsight@usda.gov with your name, title and program.
• Photo must be at least 1MB.
• No group selfies.
• Images of employees in action--for example, climbing up a grain elevator, using a microscope or inspecting warehouse commodities.

Have you heard about the Microsoft Office “Accessibility Check” tool? It’s a valuable, important function that can improve every USDA employee's ability to meet Section 508 Accessibility requirements. Section 508 applies to all federal agencies that develop, procure, maintain, or use information and communications technology (ICT). Agencies are required to provide employees and members of the public with disabilities comparable access to those without disabilities. 

There is a safer way for employees to receive their yearly Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Wage and Tax Statement (Form W-2), and Employer-Provided Health Insurance Option (Form 1095-C). Instead of waiting for the hard copy through the mail, employees may choose a paperless option.

Why Choose the Paperless Option?

The paperless option is faster. Employees have the option to receive (and print) their W-2 electronically via the Employee Personal Page (EPP). Also, employees will be able to import their 2022 W-2 information into TurboTax.

The paperless option is safer. Employees may access and print their W-2 through the EPP instead of having the hard copy mailed. Accessing it through EPP insures the personally identifiable information (PII) such as your social security number and mailing address will be kept safe.

Learn More

As we near the end of 2022, here are a few reminders regarding your TSP account:

• Pay period 25 is the last pay period your TSP contributions will apply towards the 2022 TSP maximum contribution limits.  2023 contributions will commence in pay period 26.   
• Now is a good time to review your TSP accounts to determine if the elective deferral limit will be reached before pay period 26.  If the deferral limit is reached too soon, you will miss out on the Agency Matching Contributions (employees covered by FERS only). That’s right, you could lose agency contributions as a result of reaching the contribution limit before the end of the tax year.  For detailed information on Elective Deferral Limits, please visit https://www.tsp.gov/PlanParticipation/EligibilityAndContributions/contributionLimits.html
• The 2023 contribution limit for employees under age 50 for the upcoming plan year will be $22,500.
• The 2023 contribution limits for employees aged 50 and over for the upcoming plan year will be $30,000. 

• Employees can make their elections using their Employee Personal Page (EPP) or by submitting the TSP-1 Form. We strongly encouraged you to use EPP if you would like to change your TSP contribution limit for 2023.

The following employee has exhausted all of their available leave and is approved as a recipient under the Leave Transfer Program:

• Janie Brown, an Agricultural Commodity Grader with Livestock & Poultry, in Gainesville, GA, due to a serious medical condition.

You may donate either annual or restored annual leave to this or other eligible employees through WebTA or by completing the AD-1043 form. The Human Resources Division (HRD) prefers electronic donations; however, they will accept AD-1043 forms. 

You can find instructions to donate leave electronically through WebTA here.  AD-1043 forms can either be faxed or mailed (not both): USDA APHIS MRPBS HRD Attn: LCT 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401-2329 FAX: 612-336-3544.

The South Building cafeteria is serving hot food from the buffet and grill. You can also purchase beverages and snacks. The hours of operations are Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

On October 6, 2022, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reminded all Federal agencies that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging all Americans to get the updated COVID-19 vaccination. We are asked to continue supporting the Administration’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts through the granting of administrative leave for COVID-19 vaccinations, boosters and adverse reactions. The following guidance contains highlights from the attached OPM notice (CPM 2022-15).

This leave policy covers the new, updated COVID-19 vaccine as well.

Learn More

USDA is encouraging all employees to follow CDC guidance and Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters | CDC that protect against the new most prevalent variants. USDA employees are eligible for up to 4 hours of administrative leave to receive the booster, and to assist family members to receive it. Employees may also receive up to 2 days of administrative leave if there are any adverse effects from the vaccine. It is currently available free of charge through local health departments, clinics and many pharmacies:

• to everyone over 5 years of age who completed the primary vaccine series, and;
• for those at least 2 months past their previous dose or 3 months past a COVID infection.

Learn More

Thank you for all you do to support the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). AMS continues to grow that support, donating more each week, helping USDA exceed this year’s giving goal! AMS continues to impact the entire campaign, through one-time and recurring donations. 

AMS was well represented at the FPAC-FAS Bake-Off on December 12 at the Whitten Building. Hopefully you all enjoyed some yummy holiday sweets while meeting CFC Charities. Many thanks to those able to attend our AMS Virtual CFC Event on Dec. 14! If you have not done so already, you can donate to one, or all, of these non-profits, fighting food insecurity locally in the National Capital Area and globally.

Rise Against Hunger (CFC Code 81646) https://www.riseagainsthunger.org/

Capital Area Food Bank (CFC Code 30794) https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/

Central Union Mission (CFC Code 85786) https://www.missiondc.org/

Push to End the Campaign Strong:  CFC recognizes that 2022 has been challenging for many with inflation and fluctuating gas, home and food prices. These challenges make donating feel difficult. Like ripples in a pond, even the smallest donation makes a HUGE impact on our neighbors, communities, nation and the world. For instances, a gift of $10 may provide 20 meals or contribute to the gift of a goat to a family in Nepal. As you plan your New Year’s budget for necessities and fun, please consider budgeting in a one-time or recurring $5-$10 donation to a non-profit of your choice. For the cost of a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts visit, you have impact so many! CFC ends on January 14, 2023, so you have some time. Let’s see if we can double the number of AMS NEW donors by Jan 4!!!  Donate at: https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/welcome

Mentoring is a learning relationship generally focused on long term career development, and both Mentors and Mentees benefit from the partnership. Mentees typically lead the meetings, bringing career questions to the Mentor and requesting advice. The Mentor reflects on their own career and accomplishments, what worked and what didn’t, and shares those observations with the Mentee. Both the Mentor and the Mentee benefit by meeting new Agency employees and understanding how the others’ work fits into the broader mission.

Ready to become an AMS Mentor or Mentee? CLICK HERE

AMS Mentoring Application Period Open Through January 16!

We are especially in need of Mentor applicants. If you have participated as a Mentee in the past, or are otherwise looking to volunteer your time and career advice, please consider submitting a Mentor application through the link above. Mentors may also accept multiple Mentees if they have the time and availability to do so.

Mentees are encouraged to seek their own Mentors, and if the potential Mentor agrees to the partnership partnership, both employees should jointly submit their applications using the link above to register with the program.

Visit the AMS Mentoring SharePoint Site to learn more about the program, and send any questions to mentoring@usda.gov.  

The USDA Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) Fiscal Policy Division and the Government Travel Card policy requires mandatory annual travel card training for current travel cardholders. The due date for this year’s training is today, December 15, 2022. OCFO has stated that it will close accounts for those that have not taken the required training by the December 15, due date.

All travel cardholders are required to take the mandatory annual training. If you have already taken the 2022 Assignment of the training or are NOT a travel cardholder, you do not have to take the training. More information is in the link below.

Learn More

The APHIS Center for Training and Organization Development offers development opportunities that address our hybrid workforce and refine supervisory and leadership approaches. These courses can also help you develop a peer network of supervisors and managers across USDA. Click the links below to learn more and sign up.

Essential Supervisory Information Sessions (ESIS) is a great resource for supervisors to gain focused insight and training on a multitude of scheduled topics which are of general and timely concern to supervisors in convenient two-hour webinars.

1. Conducting Difficult Conversations with Conduct & Performance: January 9, 2023; 2:00pm – 4:00pm ET Sign-up/Enroll
2. Time Management: February 7, 2023 2:00pm – 4:00pm ET Sign-up/Enroll​
3. Increasing Employee Engagement: March 14, 2023; 2:00pm – 4:00pm ET Sign-up/Enroll

The 5-day Experienced Supervisor Applied Workshop engages supervisors in activities, discussions and peer learning to analyze, plan for and practice addressing your supervisory challenges. Whether you choose the virtual or in-person option, you will learn to mentor employees, improve employee performance and productivity, conduct employee performance appraisals and identify and assist employees with unacceptable performance.

The workshop immerses supervisors in experiential learning and practical application of content through case studies and other interactive methods. Participants will use 360 Assessment feedback to identify competencies and gain self-awareness to improve management effectiveness. Full attendance and active participation in this workshop fully satisfies USDA’s requirement for ongoing supervisory training every 3 years.

There are 4 upcoming offerings of the workshop in FY23 (select one):

Virtual Offerings:

June 5-9, 2023; 10:00am - 5:00pm ET Sign-up/Enroll

In-person Offerings: (May be converted to virtual offerings based on travel and gathering restrictions.)

March 27-31, 2023; 8:00am - 5:00pm ET, Riverdale, MD Sign-up/Enroll​

August 21-25, 2023; 8:00am - 5:00pm ET, Fort Collins, CO Sign-up/Enroll 

Registration is waitlisted pending confirmation of eligibility requirements. You must:

1. Be a current supervisor in APHIS, AMS or FAS;
2. Have begun as a USDA supervisor at least 2 years prior to workshop date; and
3. Have completed 360 Assessment completed within 3 years of workshop date.

If you have any questions, contact Leon White at leon.white@usda.gov.