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July 2024
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View a video message from Chris Purdy.
Chris Purdy, Deputy Administrator, Christopher.Purdy@usda.gov
The Specialty Crops Program is committed to staying at the forefront of technology to enhance our services. These initiatives are aimed at ensuring we maintain our standards of accuracy and efficiency in Grading and Standards, Market Development and Market News services.
MARS Project Update
Specialty Crops Market News (SCMN) continues to transition from its Oracle Portal to the new MARS/My Market News system. We had a successful launch of the Retail Market level in September 2023, Terminal Market in January and Shipping Point in May. Movement Market levels will be the next to make the transition and are scheduled to be released in December. For each market level, the full dataset, including historical data, will be available via API (Application Programming Interface) once the transition to the new system is complete. For current market information, check out the My Market News site.
For more information, visit the AMS website to read the notice to trade:
SCI Standardization – Demonstrating Latest in Visual Aid Technology
Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division’s Standardization Branch develops and maintains more than 1,300 visual aids used with U.S. grade standards and inspection instructions. They continually search for innovative and cost-effective ways to capture commodity characteristics and are using the latest in 360-degree photography technology to develop 3D and 360-degree photo visual aids to replace older plaster models.
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360-degree photograph technology uses five compatible cameras, a turntable and optimal lighting to automate the 360-degree capture process. Standardization Specialists mesh these captured images to create a seamless animated image used to develop realistic aids that visibly illustrate commodity attributes such as shape, color and texture characteristics. The 360-degree photography software also offers SCI the ability to provide valuable information using hotspots, annotations and links directly to inspectors in real time while performing inspections.
SCI Division Standardization Specialist Olivia Banks demonstrates the advanced 360-degree photography capture process to SCP Deputy Chris Purdy.
For more information, contact us at: SCIinspectionoperations@usda.gov.
Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is offering the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC) again this year. The FSCSC program provides financial assistance for specialty crop operations that have eligible on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification. Producers can apply for assistance on their calendar year 2024 expenses beginning July 1, 2024, through Jan. 31, 2025. For program year 2025, the application period will be Jan. 1, 2025, through Jan. 31, 2026.
Additional information on the FSCSC program can be found at the FSA website.
Inside SCP
National Hire a Veteran Day - July 25
USDA is proud of its employees who have served in the U.S. military and the Specialty Crops Inspection Division’s (SCI) Los Angeles Area Office has had great success in recruiting veterans. Over the past few years, SCI has hired Natalie Malone, Matthew Ngin, Johnathan Lewis, Gilberto Rodriguez, and Jerric Castro to be Agricultural Commodity Graders. These employees all served together in the U.S. Army as part of the same unit - the 109th Veterinary Medical Detachment.
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As Veterinary Food Inspection Specialists in the Army, they were responsible for conducting inspections on fruit and vegetables overseas, and the Division was able to recruit most of them through the Veteran’s Recruitment Appointment. This special hiring authority allows for the appointment of eligible veterans without competition to positions at any grade level through GS-11 or equivalent.
Their hard work, training, and experience made them highly qualified candidates for USDA and allowed for the opportunity to continue to bring on talented, highly skilled individuals to help lead the Specialty Crops Program well into the future.
Left to right Natalie Malone, Gilberto Rodriguez, Zihao Xiao (currently serving in the military but is interested in working for USDA when he transitions to the civilian workforce next year), Jonathan Lewis, Matthew Ngin. Not pictured, Jerric Castro.
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Out & About
SCP staff visiting with stakeholders at the Organic Produce Summit and the National Peanut Board.
 Market News National Retail Manger Melissa Reeves visiting booths at the Organic Produce Summit.
Division Branch Chief Alex Caryl and Marketing Specialist Steven Kauffman from the Market Development Division with Chris Purdy at the National Peanut Board meeting.
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