Category Archives: Career and Job

Information related to my working life.

Lands’ End founder Gary Comer dies

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It wasn’t just another clothing seller; it was a new way of doing business. Gary Comer, Lands’ End founder, built his business on the idea of developing a relationship with his customers. Lands’ End did not achieve its excellence only by the quality of its casual and professional clothing, but also for its excellent customer service. He once stated, “We believe that what is best for our customer is best for all of us.”

Working for Lands’ End as a part-time service associate, I am sad to see Comer’s passing. He was a true pioneer in both developing a better product and developing better service. His achievements should not be overlooked, and his spirit should continue to live on within the Lands’ End product. Anything short of excellent quality and customer service is an insult to his name and to the brand.

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Safety standards gap identified

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The Washington Post indicates that there is a safety gap between agricultural products. It explains that the US Department of Agriculture has higher standards for meat and poultry certification than the Food and Drug Administration’s standards for produce certification. One option in discussion is stronger guidelines established by industry. I’m glad that I’m not the only person thinking about a produce certification program for the US.

Washington Post article: At E. Coli Hunt’s End, A Safety Standards Gap

Produce assurance

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I cannot speak about this only as a citizen only because I have researched this as a state employee. But I am home sick today, listening to Wisconsin Public Radio. During a call-in radio show, there was a discussion about the entire spinach outbreak and what can be done to prevent or avoid this. A variety of ideas were presented by the public.

Some suggested purchasing organic. The organic standards for production are more strict than the standards for producing mass-grown products. For starters, pesticides are not permitted on any product that is labeled “organic.” That means that consumers do not need to worry about unwanted chemicals on the produce that they buy. Also, composting methods that are set forth in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines require organic farmers to compost the manure much more than is required for non-organic farmers. This reduces (not eliminates) the potential for foodborne illnesses.

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Livestock Siting bill moves forward

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I have been slowly watching the deterioration of cities over the past few years as people continue to move into the suburbs. In the process, valuable farmland has been eaten up. As you can probably tell, I’m opposed to urban sprawl. That is the primary reason why I support the livestock siting initiative. The bill, if enacted, would provide permits to livestock farmers to expand their operations.

For years, Wisconsin’s agricultural community has declined because of the barriers to expansion. Thus, the state’s dairy industry has suffered while other states, especially California, have moved in to produce more milk and cheese. Although other factors play a role (such as the federal government’s milk price fixing), local rules have held dairy farmers at bay from helping the state’s agricultural economy grow. As a result, destructive development has turned once prime agricultural land into concrete islands.

I applaud the work of those that made this legislation possible, and I am glad to hear that all sides could finally come to a consensus. Working for the agency, I realize that it took a large amount of time, effort, and resources to get this bill to this point. I hope that it can now swiftly move through the Legislature and to the Governor’s desk for signing.

DATCP press release: State Ag Board Unanimously Approves Livestock Siting Rule

Brownfield article: Wisconsin Livestock Facilities Siting Rule one step closer

Charity and Chili

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It is that time of year again when my the state kicks off the Partners in Giving charity campaign. As you know, I have given to a number of charities in the past, either through donations or through time and labor. Furthermore, I have a couple of links to Web sites that provide information about the charities, including Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau. This year, I was in charge of putting together the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s Partners in Giving Chili Cook-off. It was a huge success, and we even had a special guest stop in and give a few words of encouragement. Below is a picture of me with that special guest, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.

And if you are thinking about giving to a charity, please feel free to visit the Charity Navigator Web site.

Charity Navigator Web site

Wisconsin’s farm future and the agency that helps promotes it

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I received a message from the Secretary at work today that included a column from the Governor. Governor Doyle applauded the agricultural efforts of Wisconsin and recognized how the residents are tied to farming, even if they aren’t farmers. Wisconsin’s agricultural industry generates $51.5 billion annually, and we’re investing in new initiatives, such as bio-energy, to continue expanding the industry. Wisconsin is number one in cheese production in the United States (thus the name “America’s Dairyland”), and has more specialty cheese makers than any other state. And it is the first state to pass legislation that will increase animal health surveillance. Furthermore, Wisconsin had strong consumer protection legislation that became the model for national legislation in the early 20 th century.

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Rod Nilsestuen e-mailed a note to recognize all of us employees today. His message was very meaningful:

“Although the work of the many DATCP employees who do much of the day to day work to help support this progress, doesn’t always create headlines, it is nonetheless important. Thank you for all you do.”

DATCP employees work very hard and care deeply about their work, and I enjoy working with all of them. So today’s blog is dedicated to all of my fellow coworkers.

Governor Doyle Column: Investing in Our Farm Future

Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board FAQ: What makes Wisconsin America’s Dairyland?

Wisconsin’s Action Man

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I received the following press release at work today. I had heard about Glen Loyd before. He was known as the Action Man in the Fox Valley and Green Bay areas because of his crusade to help protect consumers. Glen continues to bring that drive to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to this day.

The press release had a link to his web log (blog, see below). I read a few of his entries and realized that someone who is interested in protecting consumers has to put up with many difficulties. It’s good to know that his passion to help others was strong enough to keep him going through the crap that he received over the years. So I dedicate this blog to Glen.

DATCP press release: Glen Loyd honored

Glen Loyd’s personal blog

Lunch with DOT

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I had lunch with a variety of friends from the Office of Policy and Budget today. I really enjoyed seeing them and taking time to sit with them and speak about things happening there (not that I miss it). I also had a chance to mention how much I love my new position at DATCP. It was a great time, and I look forward to seeing them again in the near future.

Wisconsin DOT employees wait to hear their fate

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Being someone who was put at-risk of losing his job due to budget cuts, I was actually relieved to learn that I was on the chopping block when it finally happened. The future seemed uncertain at the time, but I looked upon it as an opportunity to move forward in my life.

Unfortunately, someone decided that it would not be humane to let employees at DOT know that they’re losing their jobs before the holidays. I believe that this is actually inhumane, because employees must wait longer yet to learn their fate. When I left the agency, morale was already at an all-time low. On a recent trip there to wish my former office director congratulations on her retirement, I could feel the tension in the hallways. Employees don’t want to hear bad news, but they want to know if it will be them so they can start competing for other positions or start planning for the future.

John Nordbo, an employee at DOT, mentions another issue in his editorial with the potential layoffs: bumping rights. The whole thing is going to be a logistical nightmare for many employees and the human resources bureau. In its simplest terms, if an employee had a previous position, was promoted to a higher position, and is then laid-off, that employee can “bump” back to a position of the same previous classification. If that position is not vacant, then the incumbent of the position is “bumped” out, possibly facing his or her own layoff. When you compound this among many employees (DOT has 340 staff in its reduction plan), you can imagine the mess this makes.

So, I agree with John Nordbo’s editorial. I’ve already been down that road, and I was fortunate enough to find something fairly quickly. But others may not be as lucky. It seems unfair that employees should wait until they know of their fate at the the very last minute. I know that DOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi has the utmost respect and compassion for all of the employees that work under him, and I know that he has as much trouble dealing with this as anyone else at DOT. It’s not a matter of blame, but a matter of timing. DOT should provide its employees the opportunity to know what’s going on and offer them a chance to plan for their futures.

Links:

Wisconsin State Journal: Layoffs, With The Holidays On The Mind

Editorial: For Dot Employees, Not Knowing Their Job Future Just Prolongs The Pain

Third anniversary of 9/11, my first week at DATCP

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Today marks the third anniversary of the attacks on America. Although those that would view the US as enemies attempted to undermine its strength, we prevailed in showing them that we have the determination and resolve to come together and rebuild. Today’s blog is dedicated to the innocent victims of the September 11, 2001 attack on America.

I just realized that today also marks two years since I launched this site’s design. My inspiration for this site was the Wisconsin DOT federal intranet site, which I was redesigning at the time. I learned much about site design and using tables in HTML to structure a site’s appearance, as well as standards. I also learned a little about JavaScript and how to make buttons change appearance. Since then, this site has expanded into a large monster where I’ve attempted various different programming tricks that have lead to many inconsistencies. Furthermore, the dark borders and themes just don’t seem very inviting. In an attempt to clean up the interface and reorganize the material, I’ve chosen to approach the next generation design with an inviting look and structured feel.

In the meantime, work will continue on the new site, although I still intend to maintain this site until the new site is released. I’m still shooting for October of this year.

My first week of work at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) was short but very exciting. I’ve already met a variety of people, and I’ve started to really get my hands dirty on the various activities assigned to me. I’m even working on something that will be implemented nationwide. I look forward to being a major player and teammate on such a great issue, and perhaps I can mention more on the site later (in case you’re interested). In the meantime, following is a link to DATCP’s web site and the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC). Both of these are also available through my links page.

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) – Premises Registration