USDA First Friday: We could not do this without you
Colleagues,
Last month, I had the opportunity to visit San Bernardino, California, with Vice President Harris to tour communities damaged by wildfire. While we were there, we announced a $1.36 billion disaster relief plan for communities impacted by wildfires and hurricanes.
The highlight of my trip was introducing the vice president to some of the amazing people who work at USDA. Senior firefighter Sarah Hudson did an incredible job of representing our Forest Service employees. She conveyed to me and Vice President Harris the value of our employees who are out on the front lines every day. She highlighted the important role that other USDA employees play in supporting the health and well-being of her and her co-workers, particularly during challenging times.
After meeting Sarah, I could not help but think of the tens of thousands of USDA employees who show up and work each day to make contributions that have a cumulative and meaningful effect on the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans.
Our front-line employees take on some of the biggest risks and steadfastly continue to dedicate their lives to public service in the face challenge and uncertainty. The recent minimum wage hike for federal employees announced by the Biden-Harris administration is a direct acknowledgement of your work. In addition to the approximately 4,089 USDA employees who will see their pay increase immediately, new and incoming temporary and seasonal employees will benefit as well. This acknowledgement of your work is long overdue. You fuel my hope for USDA’s future as I imagine your journey to leadership positions. I also want to recognize those of you who started your careers as a GS-1 or equivalent and have worked your way through the pay scale.
Across America and the world, USDA employees show up to work each day with enthusiasm, conviction and compassion. For example, after Kentucky was ravaged by tornadoes in December, our Farm Service Agency employees stepped in to help tornado victims around the clock. Carla Harper, FSA county executive Director in Caldwell and Lyon counties, and Marty Haley, FSA county executive director in Marshall County, led outreach events that enabled producers to enroll in the Emergency Conservation Program, one of the options to help them repair damage to farmland. Chelsea Holleman, FSA county executive director in Graves County, and other FSA employees gathered critical supplies for the community distribution center that helped those in need in the Mayfield community. And Jordan Madding, a soil conservation technician with our Natural Resources Conservation Service, worked with his local church in Mayfield to help provide families with generators so they could have power. He also helped start a toy drive to make sure every kid was taken care of during the holidays.
While employees helping tornado victims or stopping massive wildfires make the headlines, there are also many USDA employees who don’t always make the news, but they are just as vital to the USDA mission. Tyrone Carelock, mail manager for the Food and Nutrition Service in Alexandria, Virginia, is a great example. Carelock volunteered to be the “in office” point of contact for FNS during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic to make sure mail was delivered and important customer service requests were completed. Thanks to his diligence, FNS mail and packages were processed in support of USDA mission-critical nutrition programs that feed Americans.
I also don’t want to forget about the examples some of our retirees set for us during their careers. Kathryn Hill worked at USDA for 46 years. Before retiring this past November, Kathryn brought our customers closer to you and our leaders who make the policies that impact their livelihoods. Through her congenial approach and her professionalism, Kathryn bridged the gap between farmer, student, social advocate, USDA program manager and the Secretary of Agriculture. She facilitated many meetings and enabled thousands of conversations that led to real policy changes.
These are just a few folks out of tens of thousands of employees and contractors here at USDA making a positive impact on America. Our front-line employees are helping contain the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting racial justice and equity, addressing hunger and nutrition insecurity, rebuilding the rural economy, strengthening and building fairer markets for farmers and producers, and addressing the impacts of climate change through climate-smart practices. They are supported by an army of administrative staff who ensure everyone is paid and given access to the tools we need for our jobs.
On this First Friday, I hope you will take some time to reflect on how you and your colleagues are doing extraordinary work on behalf of the American people. We are lucky to have you, and I could not be prouder to serve as your secretary.
With much appreciation.
Secretary Vilsack