Omicron variant will 'find just about everybody,' Fauci says, but vaccinated people will still fare better - CNN
As the Omicron variant spreads like wildfire across the United States, it's likely just about everybody will be exposed to the strain, but vaccinated people will still fare better, the nation's leading infectious disease expert said Tuesday.
California's Drought Reckoning Could Offer Lessons for the West | The Pew Charitable Trusts
But state officials and water policy experts are still urging caution even in these wet conditions, pushing for water-saving measures as the drought is expected to continue throughout much of the West.
Vilsack vows 'voluntary and incentive-based' climate strategy for farms | Agriculture | capitalpress.com
The USDA is using the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP, and the Conservation Stewardship Program, or CSP, to help farmers use methods such as cover crops to sequester carbon.
Getting Better at Talking About Mental Health at Work | Bridgespan
A recent study suggests that while more employees are comfortable discussing mental health in the workplace, the conversations they’re having aren’t always fruitful.
Because I had said yes to every assignment, in hopes that would help me move on to my next opportunity, I had become indispensable, and my manager wouldn’t let me go. Being indispensable had temporarily killed my career.
“Through partnerships like this one, we are ensuring that historically underserved landowners and producers have the tools they need to successfully integrate conservation practices on their forest and agricultural lands,” said NRCS Chief Terry Cosby. “Equity in our programs and services is essential for addressing the unique natural resource needs and challenges across the country.”
USDA Offers Expanded Conservation Program Opportunities to Support Climate Smart Agriculture in 2022 | NRCS
NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs – including EQIP and CSP – year-round, however producers and landowners should apply by state-specific, signup dates to be considered for each year’s funding. To apply, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center
In December 2021, several months after this article was originally published, Governor Inslee and legislative leaders announced that changes will be made to the long-term care program and that the Employment Security Department will not be collecting long-term care premiums from employers at this time in order to provide the legislature time to make these changes.
SARS-CoV-2 Transmission From People Without COVID-19 Symptoms | Global Health | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network
Under a broad range of values for each of these assumptions, at least 50% of new SARS-CoV-2 infections was estimated to have originated from exposure to individuals with infection but without symptoms.
State’s 2022 Legislative Session looks to be fast-paced | WAWG
While legislators attempted to lower expectations for the forthcoming short session, the lengthy list of emerging legislative proposals suggests the 2022 session will once again be fast-paced and filled with robust policy discussions.
Cultivating Fine Whines: Listening to the Team - PA TIMES Online | PA TIMES Online
When someone is told to stop whining, they are effectively being told to ignore their individual values. As a result, they may emotionally disengage, withholding potentially useful perspectives and insights which might be mined to improve service quantity, quality or responsiveness.
Colville Confederated Tribes works with group leaders to relocate lynx from Canada | Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune
In the past few weeks, several lynx (wápupxn) have been captured in Canada and relocated to the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington state in hopes that a resilient population will be established there.
Omicron scrambles plans for start of Washington’s legislative session | Northwest News Network
The highly contagious omicron variant of COVID-19 has upended what was supposed to be a mostly in-person start to the 60-day session, at least in the House of Representatives.
USDA Expands Partnerships for Conservation Through Its Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
A Dec. 6, 2019, rule required that 50% of matching funds from partners be in the form of direct payments, which made it more difficult for diverse types of groups to participate as partners in CREP. With this rule change, partners can now provide their negotiated level of matching funds in the form of cash, in-kind contributions, or technical assistance. This change allows for greater flexibility and opportunity for additional partners to participate in the program.
Profiting from Your Pivot | Washington State Department of Agriculture
Profiting from Your Pivot is a new business service with one-on-one coaching for small or regional farms in Washington. COVID caused your business model to pivot, now it's time to focus on profit.