 The 2022 AMS Administrator's Awards video presentation is here! Please click the button below to learn about some of the things your AMS colleagues accomplished and were recognized for. A huge congratulations to this year’s awardees. We hope you enjoy the video showcase.
After you watch the video, please take the short survey that is linked to at the bottom of the page:
If you have issues with the link above, the video can also be viewed on the AMS YouTube channel: Awards Video.
Colleagues,
I am excited to share the video for the 2022 AMS Administrator’s Awards. It’s now available on AMS Insight or by clicking through the link in this week’s Voice (above). As you will see, we tried something different this year. I spent time traveling in January and February to visit with the teams receiving awards and brought along a video crew from Public Affairs (PA) to capture it. PA compiled the footage into a showcase so that you can learn more about the work of your colleagues and some of AMS’s achievements in 2022. It was fun to visit in person and celebrate with so many of you to start the year.
Thank you to each of you for your contributions to the agency’s successes in 2022. I am very proud of what AMS continues to achieve, and I look forward to seeing what we will do in 2023. I hope you enjoy the video.
Bruce Summers
Administrator
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 In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will host a virtual event featuring a panel discussion with women leaders in agriculture and other fields. The observance will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 1:00 pm -2:30 pm EST. Please register ahead of time.
2023 AMS Women's History Month Observance: “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories”
March 21, 2023
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Penny Brown Reynolds
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
Management and Operations
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Opening Remarks
Ms. Mae Wu
Deputy Under Secretary
Marketing and Regulatory Programs
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Closing Remarks
Ms. Wing Padilla
Deputy Associate Administrator
Agricultural Marketing Service
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Point of contact for event: Adrienne.M.Burch@usda.gov.
If special assistance is needed, please contact Carmen Humphrey at Carmen.Humphrey@usda.gov.
The AMS Chief Diversity and Inclusion Office and Office of Civil Rights are excited to highlight two of our very own as part of AMS’ ongoing observance of the 2023 Women’s History Month theme, Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories. We’re proud to have Shelby Guillen and Kimberly Spriggs share their background and experiences with AMS.
 Shelby Guillen joined AMS in 2021 as an Agricultural Marketing Specialist in the Research and Rulemaking Branch of the Food Disclosure and Labeling Division (FDLD) within the AMS Fair Trade Practices Program (FTPP). After graduating from Cal Poly Pomona, Shelby spent one year as an Agricultural Public Policy Fellow in the AMS Office of the Administrator. As a result of this experience, Shelby knew she wanted to pursue a career at AMS. Recently, Shelby was recognized for exceptional and time-sensitive policy analysis in support of Secretary Vilsack's Fair and Competitive Markets initiatives and President Biden’s July 2021 Executive Order to Promote Competition in the American Economy.
 Kim Spriggs is the Chief of Staff for the Transportation and Marketing Program where she sets policies, creates standard operating procedures, manages the fiscal year budget, and plays a critical role in advising the Deputy Administrator on key management issues and decision-making processes for program and administrative activities within TM. Kim has served the Federal Government for 15 years. She began her career at USDA as a marketing specialist in AMS, and for seven years she provided oversight to various research and promotion boards. Asked why she enjoys working at AMS, Kim says it's “because it allows me to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of our nation.”
Fuel for the Future - National Nutrition Month®
By Commodity Procurement Program Staff
Time to celebrate National Nutrition Month®! During March, learn about making informed food choices and how to develop healthful eating and physical activity habits.
Tip of the Week - Make tasty foods at home
Meal prep at home saves you money & can help your family fuel for the future!
- Check out our Farmers Market Tips for Preparing Healthy School Lunches video here.
- Find Smart Tips for Successful Meals here.
Keep an eye out for more nutrition tidbits and a presentation this month!
For questions, please reach out to our Nutrition and Specification Management Division at CPPNPDNutrition@usda.gov.
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AMS Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Gallaudet University
 Photo: Gallaudet University's Dean of Academic and Career Services Roberto Sanchez and AMS Administrator Bruce Summers at the MOU signing.
AMS and Gallaudet University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Monday, February 27, to work together to ensure diversity in the federal workforce.
Gallaudet University was established in 1864 with the support of Congress and President Abraham Lincoln. Located in the Nation's Capital, it is the country’s first school for deaf education. The university has served to empower deaf and hard of hearing communities globally. The student body is represented across all 50 states, in 100 countries with 23,000 alumni worldwide.
AMS attendees for the MOU signing included Administrator Bruce Summers, Associate Administrator Melissa Bailey, and members of the AMS Civil Rights Staff: Director Clifton Gilchrist, Deputy Director Ali Muhammad, EEO Specialist Linda Alston, and acting Disability Employment Program Manager Tammy Lowry.
Present from Gallaudet were Dean of Academic and Career Success Roberto Sanchez and several of his staff members.
Both Administrator Summers and Dean Sanchez shared their sentiments that this MOU will help Gallaudet University and AMS achieve the goal of increasing the number of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing within the federal government.
Additional aspects of the MOU provide for AMS and Gallaudet to establish short-term developmental internships for qualified students and to work in partnership in the design of messages tailored to the deaf community that will encourage them to seek employment with AMS and the federal government.
The MOU allows AMS to establish a continuous exchange of training information and materials; to post internships and job vacancies on Gallaudet University’s webpage; to provide interested students employment opportunities at AMS; and to participate in Gallaudet’s Career Internship and Job Fairs during the year. These efforts are consistent with AMS's goal to have a model EEO program and to be recognized as an employer of choice.
Got Photos?
Photo: Abby Long (Agricultural Economist) and John Dean (Agricultural Marketing Specialist) from the Transportation & Marketing program’s Local and Regional Foods Division attending the National Grocers Association meeting in Las Vegas, NV.
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
Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) Grants Now Open
by Transportation and Marketing Service Staff
AMS is currently accepting applications for this year’s Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), with a total of $133 million available in competitive grant funds to expand and strengthen local and regional food systems and increase the availability of locally grown agricultural products.
If you have any networks or stakeholders that may be interested in expanding their farmers markets, local food programming, or regional food system partnerships, please share this link to our LAMP website for application details. This year’s program also includes a new Turnkey Marketing and Promotion grant that uses a simplified application. All opportunities are due May 2nd.
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NASDA GAP Toolkit Resources
by Transportation and Marketing Service Staff
he National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Foundation (NASDA) and members from Transportation & Marketing‘s Local and Regional Foods Division have created a set of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) toolkits to increase underserved farmers’ access to new and existing markets and USDA food safety certification programs.
The Grower Toolkit highlights important contacts, available training, and mentoring resources to clarify the details of GAP certification. The Stakeholder Toolkit serves as a guide for helping individuals implement their GAP education and outreach programs in conjunction with the Grower Toolkit.
Please share these toolkits and this NASDA website link with any interested parties, farmers, or stakeholders that participate in GAP programs.
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Save the Date: Take Our Children to Work Day
The Department of Agriculture is excited to announce and participate in the 2023 National “Take Our Children to Work Day” event on Thursday, April 27, 2023. This year’s theme, “Working Better Together,” highlights the importance of collaboration and teamwork which are the ultimate secrets to achieving success. Therefore, we are calling all agencies within USDA to come together to achieve a successful program. For the safety and health of our children, this event will once again be in a VIRTUAL setting. Participating virtually means youth will explore how our agencies work from a safe and familiar environment.
Take Our Children to Work Day exists to teach youth about careers, specifically the professions of their parents. This event provides children with the opportunity to see the limitless career opportunities they have waiting for them in the future. It’s also a way for youth to learn about the important work their parents perform to improve Americans’ health and quality of life, foster an equitable and competitive agricultural marketplace, and contribute to healthier land and cleaner water. The Department fully supports its employees through this event that provides our children a look into what we do daily to serve the American public.
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USDA Previews the Senior Executive Service (SES) Candidate Development Program (CDP) Application
The Senior Executive Service (SES) Candidate Development Program (CDP) will commence in July 2023 and is designed as a 15-month cohort. Applications will be accepted March 13 to March 27, 2023, and will be posted on www.usajobs.gov. Applicants will be required to submit a standard resume, SF-50, and address Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) in Narrative format containing one story for each ECQ. (5 pages max). NOTE: This is a different format than previous year application procedures.
Eligible applicants must be civil service employees who are U.S. Citizens with at least one-year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level (and above). The program components will be offered in person and virtually.
The USDA SESCDP announcement, when opened, will be posted at www.usajobs.gov, and will provide further instructions. Please visit Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program | USDA for program information. You may also send questions to USDA.SES.CDP@usda.gov
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CDC COVID Weekly Update
USDA is encouraging all employees to follow CDC guidance and Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters | CDC. The most updated vaccine is the bivalent booster for both Pfizer and Moderna made available in the fall of 2022. 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:
- to everyone over 6 months 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;
- through local health departments, clinics and many pharmacies.
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MS Outlook “Accessibility Check” Tool
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.
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Worklife 4 You Courses for March
Supporting Employees’ Mental Health
Although research shows that there’s been a slight decrease in mental health stigma since the pandemic and that workers now feel more comfortable talking about behavioral health in the workplace, stigma still exists across all spheres of society. Whether it’s starting the conversation, providing educational opportunities, or modeling wellness, now is the time to proactively support a mentally healthy work environment. Discover how you can manage culture to improve your employees’ quality of life.
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
1:00–2:00pm ET | Register Here
*PLEASE NOTE: While registration is required to attend, it does not guarantee entry. We recommend joining early for these courses, as space is limited and access is granted on a first arrived, first admitted basis, regardless of how far in advance you register.
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary and confidential employee benefit available to eligible federal employees at no cost.
24 HOURS A DAY
800-222-0364
TTY: 888-262-7848
foh4you.com
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WORKLIFE AND WELLNESS – MARCH LUNCH & LEARN WEBINAR
The APHIS Human Resources Division, Workplace Resolutions and Wellness Branch, in partnership with the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Rural Development (RD), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), will be offering the following courses during the month of March.
Tai Chi Exercise Demonstration - Wednesday, March 15, from noon to 1:00 PM ET.
Tai Chi is often described as "meditation in motion," but might as well be called "medication in motion." There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems. And you can get started even if you aren't top shape or the best of health.
Join Zoom Webinar: Zoom
The Connection Between Financial & Mental Wellness - Wednesday, March 29, from noon to 1:00 PM ET.
The connection between financial health and personal health is stronger than you may think, and the stress resulting from financial challenges is often chronic. Individuals have a set of attitudes, values and beliefs regarding money, both positive and negative. During this presentation, you will learn how to examine your beliefs, adjust your mindset, and establish a personal philosophy around money management and personal growth.
Join Zoom Webinar: Zoom
If you have any questions, please contact: Lisa M. Mason at (240) 267-9863 or lisam.mason@usda.gov
Submissions for The Voice are due by COB Monday in order to publish the same week. All submissions should be sent to AMSVOICE@usda.gov for consideration.
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