USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and Smokey Bear were on tap to celebrate USDA's 150th anniversary in California.

“The People’s Department” has been fortunate to have so many good people in top positions over the years.  As we continue to celebrate our 150th anniversary, we remember and honor some of the key people who have contributed to the tremendous work that USDA has accomplished.  On May 16, Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan visited Davis, Calif. to help USDA honor Yolo County farmer Richard Rominger, a former deputy secretary of USDA during the Clinton administration and the first Californian to attain that position.

USDA employees and leadership from at least eight different agencies gathered at the Lyng Building in Davis for the 150th anniversary celebration and joined the deputy secretary at the dedication of the first-floor conference room, now named the “Richard Rominger Conference Room.” An exhibit of historic photos of early California agriculture and a display of period farm equipment provided a historical setting.  The University of California - Davis Agricultural Engineering Department also set up a working replica of the 1830s era McCormick reaper, the first mechanical grain harvester manufactured in the U.S.

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Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed a proclamation celebrating the 150 year anniversary of USDA. Pictured (l to r): James Wilson, general field representative, Rural Utilities Service; Tom Fern, state director, Rural Development; Leland Brown, director, National Agricultural Statistics Service; Frank R. Beum, forest supervisor; Daniel Boone, National Forest; Karen Woodrich, state conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service; John W. McCauley, state executive director, Farm Service Agency and; Roger Thomas, executive director, Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy.

Governor Steve Beshear was joined by federal and state officials in the governor’s office for the ceremonial signing of a proclamation celebrating the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Agriculture plays an important role in Kentucky’s economy and rural communities and the USDA is a key partner to its sustainability into the future,” said Beshear. “I am pleased to be a part of celebrating 150 years of the ‘People’s Department’ and look forward to a continued partnership.” 

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Left picture: Robert Backus (center) was honored for assisting tornado victims. Right picture: Steve Jones (center) was recognized for saving the government thousands of dollars in fuel by minimizing the agency's fleet of vehicles.

Two FSA employees were recognized last week as unsung heroes by the Organization of Professional Employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (OPEDA). 

Robert Backus, county executive director in Charlestown and Scottsburg, Ind., and Steve Jones, fleet manager with the FSA Fleet Management Program in Washington D.C., were honored during the 2012 OPEDA Unsung Hero Award Program — a part of Public Service Recognition Week — for providing exceptional service to the American public.

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After years of working in corporate America, Relinda Walker volunteered to be laid off to come home to Georgia and take over the family farm.

Being first can have its advantages and disadvantages. Relinda Walker knows that all too well.

Walker’s Organic Farm was one of the first organic operations in South Georgia. It took root in 2005 during a time when eating organic was for foodies and white table cloth chefs.

“No one was doing it in South Georgia,” said Walker. But when she presented the idea to the locals, “people were eager and chefs loved it,” she said.

Walker volunteered to be laid off from her job as vice president of operations at a technology company in New York in 2001 to come back home to Sylvania, Ga.  She returned to care for her ailing parents and take over the land as a third generation farmer.

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Indiana celebrated 150 years of agriculture this week as the lieutenant governor, FSA state executive director and USDA employees paid tribute to one of the state’s strongest economic engines — agriculture. According to Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman, agriculture contributes $26 billion annually to the Indiana economy and is 17 percent of the state’s workforce. FSA State Executive Director Julia Wickard, said USDA has evolved but at the end of the day it’s about providing customer service to the farmer and getting them the tools they need to make their operations profitable. Read more (Hoosier Ag Today).

The Gurr family moved from a nursery at their home to a retail space near the capital of American Samoa.

by Josephine Lealasola, agricultural specialist, American Samoa FSA

Island Flowers by Liana opened their doors to American Samoa on May 7, 2008 — the week of Mother’s day — and business has been blooming every since. From humble beginnings selling cut flowers directly out of nurseries from their home in Maloata, this family run operation has become one of the leading florist shops on the island and a growing contributor to the local economy.

Prior to receiving FSA loan assistance, Donna and Pete Gurr sold cut flowers and potted plants from a nursery at their home for more than 20 years. Florists throughout the community would contact them to buy orchids, anthuriums, and other tropical plants.

“The support we received from the community has been overwhelming. Although we import some flowers, the majority of our products are locally grown and this is what our customers prefer for their floral arrangements,” said Donna.

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The Minnesota Food Association (MFA) is working with federal and national organizations to help low-income populations and immigrants get out of poverty and stay out. MFA, a part of the National Immigrant Farming Initiative, an advocacy group in Washington, D.C., teaches everything from starting seeds and operating a consumer supported agriculture program to applying for a loan through the USDA Farm Service Agency. MFA Executive Director Rigoberto Delgado said immigrants are replacing the disappearing American family farmer, citing that the number of Latino farmers has increased 14 percent between 2002-2007. Since 2007, the MFA program has taught100 immigrants and minorities to operate financially viable organic farms. Read more (Minnpost.com).

One of the worst floods to hit Vermont in nearly 83 years damaged 10,000 acres of farmland and left about 100 refugee farmers struggling to re-establish their livelihood. Tropical Storm Irene hit the area last August destroying $25,000 worth of crops and equipment. According to Robert Paquin, FSA state executive director, the agency received nearly $4.5 million in requests to help restore more than 450 commercial farms statewide. For the Burundi and Napali refugees who fled to Vermont 12 years ago to escape military unrest in their countries, farming was a successful endeavor in their country. Today, they aim to find the same success in the United States. Read more (New York Times).

by Latawnya Dia, FSA public affairs specialist

If you didn’t attend the FSA Washington, D.C. employee third annual Spring Fling, you missed good food and a great time.  The weather was perfect and there was no shortage of food or fun for the nearly 250 people who attended. 

The FSA Spring Fling is the brainchild of Ms. Cooksie who set up the event to encourage team building within the agency.  “I saw this as an opportunity to allow employees a chance to get to know each other outside of the office setting and to build camaraderie,” said Cooksie.

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Compost tea (a mixture of recycled organic matter soaked in water), hydroponic living basil, and organic certification are terms that, at first glance, may not have much of a connection to military veterans. Colin Archipley, a decorated Marine sergeant, and his wife Karen however saw the combination as a win-win when they founded the Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training (VSAT) program outside San Diego, Calif. Read more (USDA blog).