Women's History Month at WSDA: In their own words
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re shining a spotlight on some of the incredible women of the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). Their work spans critical areas such as food safety, agriculture, and public health, impacting the daily lives of Washington residents and beyond. Through their stories, we gain a unique insight into the vital work that happens behind the scenes at WSDA, highlighting how each division plays an essential role in supporting both their coworkers and the broader community. There are countless women at WSDA whose contributions are equally impactful, and we are proud to have you here making a difference.
This month, we celebrate women as they share their stories, expertise, and the lasting impact they’re having in agriculture!
Maria Valle: Southern Regional Manager, Fruit & Vegetable Program, Commodity Inspection Division, WSDA
Q: Can you share your journey to WSDA? How did you get started?Maria: I’ve been with WSDA for 25 years, starting as a non-permanent inspector in 1999. Growing up in Yakima, I was surrounded by agriculture, and my parents worked as migrant farmworkers. I had the chance to work in an apple warehouse, where I met a WSDA inspector. That’s when I first learned about the work we do here, and it really intrigued me. I started asking questions. It felt like the perfect fit given my background and interest in agriculture.
Q: Has there been a particularly impactful moment in your career?
Maria: One of the most meaningful moments for me was when we had the chance to work with high school students in the Tri-Cities area. We participated in a career networking event, where we shared with students that agriculture extends so far beyond farm work. A lot of them didn’t know about the various opportunities within the agriculture industry, and it was great to be able to show them that there’s growth potential in roles like ours.
It seems like many schools are moving away from FFA or no longer offering agriculture classes. As a result, when kids hear “agriculture,” they often think of working in the field — especially if they come from migrant families or parents who work in fields, like my own family. But that’s just part of the industry. They don't always realize there’s so much more to it.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you?
Maria: Every day is different. I work closely with my team, overseeing their training and ensuring inspectors meet grade standards. I also manage communication with industry partners and collaborate with USDA and international partners to ensure we meet export requirements. Occasionally, I participate in delegations where we show international visitors how our inspection process works.
Crystal Varelin: Microbiologist and the Quality Assurance Manager at the Food Safety and Consumer Services Laboratory at WSDA
Q: Can you tell us about your job and what you do at WSDA?Crystal: I’m a microbiologist and the quality assurance manager at the Food Safety and Consumer Services Laboratory. My main job is making sure the lab stays accredited and that all our testing meets the necessary standards. We do a lot of food safety testing here. This includes testing milk for antibiotics, ready-to-eat food for pathogens, and animal feed like pet food. We also support federal grant programs and do research to ensure that these products are safe for consumers.
Q: Can you tell us about a significant moment you experienced at the lab?
Crystal: One significant moment was when I was working with a large dairy plant here in Washington. As an FDA-certified laboratory evaluation officer, I monitor 22 plants across the state to make sure their testing is done properly. This plant had a problem where their antibiotic test returned a presumptive positive, and they were about to dump a whole silo of milk. I went through all their paperwork and realized the issue was a simple mistake — an incorrect setting on their testing equipment. Once we fixed that, we confirmed the milk was antibiotic-free, and the plant didn’t have to dump it. It was a big relief because it saved them from a significant financial loss, and it highlighted how small details in testing can have a huge impact. It’s a reminder of how important checks and balances are in protecting the public.
Q: What do you find most exciting about your work?
Crystal: The unpredictable nature of lab work is really exciting to me. While some parts of lab work are routine, you never know what your test results will be, and that could lead to important discoveries or trigger necessary actions to protect public health. It’s like detective work, where you find the source of contamination and help prevent outbreaks.
Shannon Lumsden: Registration Specialist, Agricultural Environmental Services, WSDA
Q: What is your job title and what do you do at WSDA?Shannon: I’m a registration specialist, and my main job is to register pesticides and fertilizers. This means I review and approve the labels of pesticides and fertilizers to make sure they comply with Washington State’s rules and regulations.
The work I do in the registration program is important because it directly impacts public safety. We make sure that the pesticides and fertilizers that are sold and used in Washington State meet the appropriate regulations. We help protect consumers, the environment, and public health. Most people don’t realize what goes on behind the scenes, but my role ensures that when people buy and apply pesticides, they are doing so safely and responsibly.
Q: What's a big moment in your job?
Shannon: A meaningful part of my job has been working on the pesticide and fertilizer databases. I helped create the first version, which has since become a vital tool for our team. Moving from a paper-based system to a fully digital one has made the registration process much more efficient. While it might not be the most glamorous work, it’s had a lasting positive impact on the department. I’ve been here almost 55 years, starting as a clerk steno in 1970. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about pesticide labeling and regulations, and I'm really proud of the progress we’ve made, especially with digitizing what used to be paper records.
Q: Are the conversations ever challenging?
Shannon: Some people are frustrated because they don’t understand why certain rules exist, or they might feel like the process is taking longer than they expected. But for the most part, I try to educate them on why we have the regulations and how it’s all about public safety. It’s usually a matter of helping them see the bigger picture and why the regulations are necessary.
Leslie German: State Metrologist, WSDA
Q: What is your role, and what do you do on a daily basis?Leslie: As the state Metrologist and a measurement scientist, my main job is to calibrate standards. I compare the items that customers send to the state’s official weight, volume, and time standards, and then I calculate any necessary corrections and measurement uncertainties. This process ensures that when customers get their calibrated items back, they can rely on them to properly test their own equipment and compare measurements. Maintaining standards is crucial for consistency — without them, we lose uniformity across the system.
Q: What stands out for you after 10 years with WSDA?
Leslie: One of the things I’m extremely proud of is that my lab is accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program. We have the specific scope of ultra-fine precision, and there are only six other state laboratories in the country with that capability. “Ultra-fine precision” means we can perform highly accurate and detailed measurements. I’m incredibly proud to maintain this accreditation, especially considering I do it all on my own. Most of the other labs have multiple people working together to maintain their accreditation.
Q: What would you say about the nature of your work?
Leslie: It’s an interesting job because it’s not the same thing every day. I work with so many different items to calibrate, and honestly, the only limit is your imagination. Some days, I’m in the small mass room, working with ultra-fine precision, where I have to be mindful of my breathing so I don’t alter the environment. Other days, I’m handling 3,000-pound cast iron weights, getting filthy dirty. It’s always something new, and the variety of tasks keeps things mentally and physically stimulating.
Dr. Amber Itle: State Veterinarian, WSDA
Q: What is your job title and what do you do at WSDA?
Amber: I am Dr. Amber Itle, and I serve as the Washington State Veterinarian with the Department of Agriculture. In this role, I lead the animal health, avian health, and animal disease traceability programs. The mission of the animal health program is to protect animal health and welfare, safeguard public health, and secure the economic viability of agricultural animal industries through disease surveillance, detection, containment, and eradication. Currently, I am leading the state’s response to critical reportable diseases such as Avian Influenza.
I am also a key collaborator and leader in international and national interagency workgroups, serving on the executive board of the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials, and I co-chair the USAHA Cattle Health Committee.
Q: What your my background?
Amber: Growing up on my family’s fourth-generation, producer-handler dairy farm, my agricultural roots have deeply influenced my career. I grew up milking cows, working in the processing plant, and helping my Grandpap deliver dairy products on the home delivery milk route. I also share the veterinary profession with my father and sister. Now, my own children raise and show sheep in 4-H.I bring two decades of experience to WSDA, having previously served as the agency’s assistant veterinarian and as a field veterinarian. Before that, I worked in large animal practice for ten years.
I hold an Animal Bioscience degree from Penn State University (1999), a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania (2003), and a Master’s degree in Animal Welfare from the University of British Columbia (2014). I am also an alumni of the AgForestry Leadership Program (Class 44).
Q: What challenges have you faced during your time at WSDA?
Amber: During my time at WSDA, I have led my team in addressing several animal disease outbreaks, including avian influenza, rabbit hemorrhagic disease, and equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy. WSDA veterinarians focus on preventing and responding to new or rare diseases that can affect animals, including diseases that can spread to humans. These diseases can cause serious economic losses and harm to animals. As the state veterinarian, my job is to stop these diseases from entering the state or country and to act quickly to control and eliminate them if they do appear.
In addition to leading response efforts, I have worked to develop systems to improve prevention and response mechanisms, including proactive training, pilot projects, and building out programs to safeguard producers. I have also led novel projects to promote and build one of the most robust animal disease traceability infrastructures for data capture in the country. This year, I helped build a program dedicated to writing secure food supply plans to support enhanced biosecurity efforts for disease prevention on farms. I have supported several National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Grants for enhanced biosecurity, Foot and Mouth disease preparedness, composting/mortality management, cross-border exercises, and regionalized emergency management coordination.
I am also a cancer survivor and that was the most challenging thing I overcame during my time at WSDA while also managing response!