 In 1982, President Ronald Reagan declared August as National Peach Month, so we’re celebrating this month with fun facts about peaches. Not only is the entire month dedicated to peaches, but August 22nd was Eat a Peach Day and today, August 24th is National Peach Pie Day. So, whether you enjoy the fresh fruit or baking them into a dessert, this month is for you.
There are over 700 varieties of peaches in the world and they can all be divided into two groups: clingstone and freestone peaches. Clingstone peaches have stones that are tightly attached to the flesh; these peaches are mostly used for canning. Freestone peaches have stones that can be easily removed and are primarily sold as fresh fruit.
Even though Georgia is known as the Peach State and produces 130 million pounds of the fuzzy fruit each year, California and South Carolina produce more annually. Overall, the United States produces 1.9 billion pounds of peaches each year. Yes, that is billion, with a B.
Source: AgHires
Colleagues,
Today we announced $72.9 million awarded to 55 states and territories through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). This grant, managed by the AMS Transportation and Marketing Program, provides funding to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and support specialty crop growers through marketing, education, and research. What’s particularly exciting about this year’s announcement is it marks over $1 billion invested in nearly 12,000 projects funded through the program since 2006. It’s exciting to see how a longtime AMS grant nearing 20 years old, and our TM colleagues who manage it, have provided this steady support for the specialty crop industry all these years. We have announced lots of one-time, special funding efforts these past few years but it’s important to also step back and see how they fit into our longer-term investments in the agriculture industry and our food systems through grants, cooperative agreements, food purchases, and other programs.
The AMS Dairy Program also had a significant launch today – the start of a national public hearing to consider proposals to amend the pricing formulas in the 11 Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs). The industry has asked to amend the FMMOs to align with changes in the dairy industry and milk marketing since the FMMOs were put into place in the early 2000s. Twenty-one proposals from the industry will be considered at the hearing. This is the start of a long process, and the hearing will last for several weeks. This is another example of how AMS programs provide steadfast support and engagement with our customers. We are always listening and learning how to best meet the needs of the industry we serve.
Thank you for your efforts to provide the best service possible on behalf of AMS.
Bruce Summers
Administrator
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SCP Does Outreach in Florida
by Specialty Crops Program Staff
Right Photo: Specialty Crops Program staff gather for a photo during their visit to Florida.
The Specialty Crops Program (SCP) Deputy Administrator Chris Purdy, Associate Deputy Administrator Heather Pichelman, and senior SCP Divisional leadership traveled to Florida August 8-10, for discussions with the Citrus Administrative Committee and local industry representatives regarding potential changes to the juice content requirements for fresh grapefruit.
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Right Photo l t r: Claudia Perez, Robin Chilton, Craig Jordan, Heather Pichelmen, Chris Purdy and Stephen Heding stop for a photo.
SCP also spent time with Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division and Market Development Division staff stationed in Winter Haven and learned firsthand the challenges faced during USDA juice tanker inspections. SCI Winter Haven Officer-in-Charge Linda Staten was appreciative of their time and noted “we have a great group of employees and are always happy for management to get to visit and meet them.”
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Lime Training Day
by Specialty Crops Program Staff
Photo l to r: Aron Sanchez, Manuel Saldivar, Richard Ruiz, Noe Carreon (TCIP), Kip Panebianco, Jennifer Hale, Steve Eguino (SCI).
The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) hosted a “Lime Grades & Standards Training Day” in Pharr, TX, on August 4. The Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division, Federal-State Inspection Management Assistant Branch Chief Steve Eguino, Central Territory Federal Program Manager Jennifer Hale, Agricultural Marketing Specialist for the Standardization Branch Kip Panebianco, and Specialty Crops Market News Reporter Aramis Harris joined the Texas Cooperative Inspection Program (TCIP) to engage with roughly 160 lime growers, shippers, distributors, packers, and warehouse operators, many of them from Mexico.
The training day was split into a morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session consisted of a classroom-style PowerPoint presentation and a live lime grading demo performed by a TCIP supervisor and training officer. Industry was able to ask questions to both USDA and TCIP representatives. Questions were asked and answered in English and Spanish. Thank you to our Spanish speakers Steve Eguino, Kip Panebianco, and members of our TCIP team. The afternoon session included visits to local warehouses where attendees were able to see the difference between yellowing and blanching on limes under various lighting. Industry members who attended this event were pleased and appreciative of the insight and training provided by SCI and TCIP.
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SCI Partners with AZDA on Imported Table Grape Inspections
by Specialty Crops Program Staff
Photo back row l to r: AZDA Inspectors Oscar Garcia, Anthony Durazo, Ian Aguirre, Jesus Lancaster.
Front row l to r: AZDA Inspector Mayra Lopez, SCI Federal Program Manager Frank Segarra, AZDA Inspector Christian Puig.
The Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division partnered with the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) to facilitate inspection of approximately 207,000 tons(!) of imported table grapes from Mexico. SCI Federal Program Managers and additional SCI personnel were deployed from May 1 through June 23, to assist AZDA with supervising timely, accurate, and efficient import requirement inspections at the Nogales, AZ, border crossing.
In addition to local SCI Federal Program Manager Frank Segarra and SCI Assistant Branch Chief of Fed-State Inspection Management Steve Eguino, other Federal Program Managers Willie Shoulders, Bill Raker and Jimmy Leggett helped manage the inspection workload. Additional SCI staff, including Erwin Vandenabeele, Marc Mariscal and Tim Farrell, provided assistance as part of a supervisory developmental detail. Congrats to all on a grape job!
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FEW Award Winner in SCI
by Specialty Crops Program Staff
Khadejah Brown, one of the bright and shining stars in the Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division, was honored by the Federally Employed Women’s (FEW) organization during their 54th Annual event in July. Khadejah (pictured second from left) was awarded the Barbara Boardman Tenant Award in recognition of her achievements. Khadejah serves SCI as Chief of the Training and Development Branch, and current Vice President of Training for FEW.
Barbara Boardman Tenant was one of the organizers and a founding member of FEW which has worked toward the advancement of women in government since 1968. The Barbara Board Tenant Award is one of FEW’s most prestigious lifetime achievement awards. A nominee must be one whose actions and leadership resulted in service to the organization at a national level and to a level above and beyond what is required by membership.
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Since she became vice president, Khadejah has taken the lead in helping to reach the primary goal of FEW through training programs which cultivate a workforce equipped with the competencies necessary to compete in the 21st century. Some of those efforts involved procuring career and personal learning and development opportunities for FEW members, working to establish the FEW National Training Program, and structuring and launching the seven-session “Leveling Up for Success” training series. A constant and consistent team player, Khadejah helped many of her fellow National Board of Directors members achieve numerous FEW focus area goals.
Congratulations, Khadejah! We are privileged to have you as part of the team in SCI and AMS.
James Ivy is new APHIS’ Human Resources Director/Chief Human Capital Officer
MRP is pleased to announce James Ivy is new APHIS’ Human Resources Director/Chief Human Capital Officer, beginning August 27, 2023.
James brings extensive experience in Marketing and Regulatory Programs to this new role. He’s currently Chief for Planning, Evaluation, and Decision Support in Policy and Program Development. There, he leads strategic planning, program evaluation, analytical decision support, and business process improvement projects in service to APHIS’ mission of protecting the health and value of America’s agricultural and natural resources.
From 2019-2021, James worked as the Associate Deputy Administrator for the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) Fair Trade Practices Program, a new USDA program responsible for ensuring fairness and confidence in U.S. agricultural markets. He led the program’s four divisions with a focus on strategic and operational planning, employee engagement, stakeholder relations, and IT modernization.
During a 10-month detail in 2017-2018, James led the Human Resources Division, successfully implementing a major USDA program reorganization, strategic hiring initiatives, and new performance management and telework policies.
Prior to his tenure with AMS, James was the longtime Associate Deputy Administrator of Legislative and Public Affairs, overseeing media, stakeholder, and Congressional outreach; executive communications; internal communications; and response to FOIA requests about APHIS programs.
James is also a certified Integral Coach and active in APHIS’ internal coaching and mentoring programs. In December, he will graduate from the Department of the Interior’s Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program Class 22.
Thank you to Ayanna Hook, who acted as the Human Resources Director/Chief Human Capital Officer since February, as well as to Sarah Blasko and Cory Brown, who acted as Deputy Human Resources Director.
Please join MRP in welcoming James to his new role.
AMS is proud to celebrate Women’s Equality Day on August 26, which commemorates the official ratification of the 19th Amendment to grant women in the United States the right to vote. Sometimes referred to as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, Congress officially declared voting as a constitutional right for all women in 1920. This monumental decision came as the result of a decades-long battle fought by women to obtain universal and fundamental rights.
Although we recognize this historic day and the injustices overcome by American women, we also acknowledge the decades that followed in which women of color continued their fight for suffrage. Almost 45 years later, women of color were finally granted the right to vote with the passing of the Voting Rights Act, which effectively outlawed discriminatory practices that systemically hindered minority populations from voting.
USDA is committed to empowering and strengthening future generations of women farmers and ranchers. The Women in Agriculture (WIA) employee resource group works to equip women in the sector with the education, mentorship, and tools to become effective leaders in the field and solidify their position as experts in our industry. The WIA employee resource group offers USDA employees the opportunity to join and establish different chapters across the department that provide women with extensive support in career development, networking, and advocacy. Those interested in learning more about this employee group can email WIAEmployeeGroup@usda.gov or join the LinkedIn group.
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Feds Feed Families (FFF) Upcoming Event
USDA is hosting a National Day of Giving Stuff-the-Truck. There will be multiple truck locations. Everyone is welcome!
When: September 26, 2023; 10am - 2pm local time
Where: Multiple Locations and Ways to Participate
- USDA employees may make donations or volunteer at local food banks and pantriesand are encouraged to record their donationon the FFF Hub website .
- Find collection trucks and volunteers at multiple locations from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM local time:
- APHIS Riverdale Hub--4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD
- APHIS Raleigh Hub--920 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, NC
- APHIS Fort Collins Hub--2150 Centre Avenue, Building B, Fort Collins, CO
- APHIS Minneapolis Hub---Marquette Plaza, 250 Marquette Ave. Suite 410, Minneapolis, MN
- APHIS PPQ Edinburg--22675 N Moore Field Road, Bldg. #6017, Edinburg, TX
- APHIS PPQ/SITC Houston--19581 Lee Rd, Humble, TX
- APHIS/VS Ames—1920 Dayton Avenue, Ames, IA
- APHIS/PPQ Newnan—360 International Park, Newnan, GA
- USDA, Whitten Building, Lot 9 Corner of Independence Ave. & 12th St, Wash. DC 20250
Contacts: APHIS FFF Chair, Michell Long, michell.j.long@usda.gov; USDA Co-chair Julie Henderson, usdafedsfeedfamilies@usda.gov
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 The USDA Farmers Market is open each Friday from 10am ET to 2pm ET in a new location on 14th Street and Independence Ave, S.W. The market features more than 20 vendors who provide lots of great options to choose from. Come out and grab lunch and a few items to take home to the family. Visit the Farmers Market website for more information.
Each week you can expect special guests, tasty VegU demonstrations, program highlights in the Fresh This Week tent and Produce Pals-Kids' Corner with fun weekly activities for the little ones.
*NEW - Telework/Remote Work Agreement Submission Requirement Deadline and Instructions
By August 27, 2023 (or sooner if directed by your program), all Telework and Remote Work Agreements must be submitted and completed within the Employee Performance Management Application (ePMA) system and discussed with employees during their quarterly performance conversations. The change was effective July 7, 2023, to coincide with the Quarter 4 performance conversation cycle.
Mandatory Training Information:
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2023 USDA Blacks in Government (BIG) Forum
The USDA George Washington Carver Chapter of Blacks in Government (BIG) is having a USDA forum on August 29, from 1pm - 3pm ET. This event will be held in-person at the Gaylord Resort and Convention Center at the National Harbor in Maryland. A registration fee is required for this part of the conference so you must register to attend. For more information contact: gwcchapter@gmail.com.
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Better Together: Why Belonging and Well-Being Go Hand-In-Hand
We all crave to be a part of something, to fit in, and to be respected for who we are. This webinar explores this vital sense of belonging, ways to spread more belongingness within our work and life communities, and how to influence others to do the same. Let’s make an effort together to create more intentional connections and grow a greater sense of belonging.
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
1pm–2pm ET | Register Here*
*PLEASE NOTE: While registration is required to attend, it does not guarantee entry. We recommend joining early, as space is limited and access is granted on a first arrived, first admitted basis, regardless of how far in advance you register.
The EAP is a voluntary and confidential employee benefit available to eligible federal employees at no cost.
24 HOURS A DAY
800-222-0364
foh4you.com
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Save the Date: USDA Section 508 Awareness Event
The USDA Section 508 Program in the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) will host a free one-day 2023 Section 508 Awareness Event. The event will be available via Zoom for Government to promote Advancing Access and Equity in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This event is a great opportunity for federal employees and contractors within the U.S. government, accessibility professionals, people with disabilities, and IT Leadership to come together and gain insight on how accessibility enhances everything we do in Elevating Equity in Section 508.
Where: Virtual Registration and Attendance via ZoomGov
When: October 19, 2023, from 10am - 4pm ET
Event Registration Information: The registration link will be provided in a separate announcement.
Reasonable Accommodations: USDA is committed to ensuring equal access to all event participants. Live captioning and ASL interpreters will be provided.
If you have any questions regarding this event, please email Section508-OCIO@usda.gov.
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Center for Training and Organization Development (CTOD) Workshops
AMS has a new line up of exciting training workshops. There are both in-person and virtual trainings that will help you excel in your leadership, communication, and team development both on and off the clock. It’s not too late to register for one or more of these live trainings provided by the Center for Training and Organization Development (CTOD)! Information on all courses through September is provided through the link below.
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*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. To sign up, select the "Subscribe" link below.
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