Behind the silos: The crucial role of WSDA grain inspectors in global trade
During Philip Garcia's shift as the WSDA Grain Inspection Program Manager, he occasionally gazes out at Commencement Bay in Tacoma, watching kayakers paddle across the water. What those kayakers may not realize, as they pass towering cement silos, is that these structures are brimming with various grains—wheat, soybeans, corn—waiting to be shipped to global markets.
For weeks a network of rail trains, heavy machinery, conveyor belts, elevators, and chutes work together to move grain through the U.S. until it arrives at grain inspection facilities. Eventually, the grain will fill the holds of colossal ships, ready to carry millions upon millions of tons of cultivated cereal crops across the seas.
The purpose of the WSDA Grain Inspection Program is to ensure an unbiased eye on the quality and consistency of grains produced in Washington and the Midwest. Washington has 7 export facilities and 2 domestic offices, with Seattle and Tacoma serving as the primary shipping hubs.
A career as a WSDA grain inspector
Garcia has dedicated nearly two decades to the grain inspection program. What began as a temporary role has evolved into a lifelong career. “I started from the ground up,” Garcia said. “I’ve done nearly every job in the program over the past 20 years.” His experience reflects that of many people at WSDA. Drawn by the stability of a government job, he has not only been able to support his family but acquire valuable skills. “There aren’t many jobs today where someone can walk in off the street without a formal education and learn on the job,” he noted, emphasizing the need for more workers in his program.At the Seattle grain facility, Bailey Vargas, a grain inspector at WSDA, shared a similar experience. “I had never even heard of this kind of work before,” she said. “Inspecting grain on a ship that holds millions of pounds is incredibly exciting. We work 12-hour shifts, but it feels more like a community than just a job.”
What do WSDA grain inspectors do?
WSDA grain inspectors play a crucial role in the grain trade, making sure that all grain is graded and weighed before export. This vital work is a 24/7 operation, involving testing and examination to confirm that the grain meets its claimed standards.Inside the Tacoma grain inspection office, the rhythmic sound of corn cascading through metal chutes fills the air as staff collect samples for inspection. “We can’t inspect and weigh 150 million pounds at once, so we break it down into sub-lots,” explained Paul Recardo, WSDA grain inspector. As grain elevators elevate the grain to the top, it is directed by gravity and conveyor belts into bins, where it is weighed and sampled. “We have to work in a production style where the hours are 24/7 to facilitate the movement of grain,” he added.
The importance of WSDA’s role cannot be understated. “WSDA essentially provides a stamp of approval. As a third-party, unbiased entity, we ensure that the grain matches what is claimed. WSDA acts as a referee between producers and buyers,” said Garcia. This oversight is critical for maintaining trust in the marketplace.
Grain quality is assessed through the collection of multiple representative batches from each shipment. Inspectors evaluate factors such as moisture content, the presence of foreign materials, pests, and overall quality. After thorough examination, each shipment is assigned a grade based on these evaluations. Grading not only informs buyers and sellers but also helps establish fair prices and guarantees that consumers receive high-quality products. These factors ultimately dictate the grain's use—whether for animal feed, food products, or commercial applications.“People don’t realize how much is involved in just this little soybean,” says Garcia. The next time you’re by the water and see ships, keep in mind that they may be transporting grain inspected by WSDA staff, bound for destinations around the world.