Hard Conversations
Monday
In our GW seminar today, we covered some pretty controversial topics. We spoke about reproductive justice, abortion, and transgender rights. These topics have become very political which is unfortunate because they should not be. These are not rights that people should be worried about losing or being taken away. Thankfully, CHCI provided lunch today, so I did not have to worry about bringing anything. We had some good food and I got to try arepas for the first time. For the rest of the day we had our CHCI leadership portion. Today's topic was "Engaging in Challenging Conversations." Cristian split us into groups to talk about some issues the cohort may be facing or to just talk about things that had been bothering us. It was a really constructive way to have a discussion about these things. We also had a talk about cybersecurity.
Making Connections
Tuesday
I started my day by going to the Dunkin Donuts in the basement of the Whitten Building at the USDA. I got my coffee and made my way to the Deputy Secretary's office to let Russelie know I was there. Everyone in my office was actually there today, so I couldn't really take anyone's spot, so I went downstairs in the conference room that is set apart for interns to work in. I spent the first part of my day doing some research on my project and then going to a meeting with Silvia Fabela. She is a senior advisor in the Office of the Secretary and focuses on labor and immigration issues. I got to speak to her about a new pilot program that incentivizes employers to create better working conditions for their employees in return of a grant. We also talked about what role I would like to play regarding my future career no matter what sector I ended up in. She was also very kind enough to invite me to a meeting at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building where she would be speaking to a group about the pilot program. During the day we also had a speaker from OCR, the Office of Congressional Relations, talk to us about what they do. In the evening, I got to have some food and ice cream with Evelina Arevalos, my CAMP Director, since she was in town for the Annual Directors Meeting that the HEP/CAMP Association holds.
The Secretary and I go way back
Wednesday
I did not go in to work at 9:00 AM this morning like I usually do every Tuesday through Friday. Instead, Juan Diego, Joan, Gizel, Esmeralda, Cindy, and I had to go to one of the Department of Education's buildings to speak about our internships this summer and how they impacted us. We spoke to the HEP/CAMP Association and to so many directors of different HEP/CAMP programs across the country. It was very rewarding to speak about my time here and how grateful I am for it, but also to hear about my fellow interns experiences and what they thought about them. Speaking here made me realize that the summer is wrapping and it is almost time to go home. After speaking, we went to Starbucks and made our way to each of our jobs.
For the rest of the day I got to sit in the Office of the Secretary and cover for the administrative specialists that usually are there. I had to answer phone calls, open doors for people, and help anyone looking for someone at the USDA. I also got to interact with Secretary Vilsack. He was coming in the office and he asked me if I knew what I was doing. I wasn't sure if he was joking or being serious, so I just said 'yessir'. He then left, and shortly after I received a teams message from his special assistant, and she wanted to let me know that the Secretary was asking if I was enjoying my internship. Obviously I said yes, but it was very cool that he acknowledged me and asked that.
That night we had dinner at a Chinese restaurant with Patrick, and everyone that was on the selection committee for our applications. It was very sad to say bye to Patrick, hopefully I get to see him again in the future.
Thursday
Thursday
I started my day at work by going through my emails, and responding to anything new. After this, I prepared for my meeting with Gloria Montano Greene. She is the Deputy Under Secretary for USDA's Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area. I wanted to speak to her because her mission area covers the program that I am basing my project off. I wanted to ask her questions about how I would go about increasing the funding for the Emergency Conservation Program. We also went into other aspects and maybe adding new elements to it such as a plan for the farmworkers that work for these farms that are affected by natural disasters. We also discussed her experience on the hill and she gave me advice. I had another meeting with someone from FSA, Farm Service Agency to discuss the same thing, but it turns out his side of the building lost its power. However, I did not know that and was just waiting until I left. He sent me an email, but I left before he sent me it.
Today was Evelina's last day in DC, so her and Yolanda Bisbee, our CAMP projects Principal Investigator and former CAMP Director at my university, came to lunch at the USDA. It was very nice to talk to some familiar people, I will see them soon in Idaho. Later that day we had a meeting with Catherine Doyle, she is the environmental justice lead at the USDA and we got to discuss a lot about DEI, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with her.
Thank You CAMP
Friday
Before I came to DC, going to the White House was one of my goals, technically I have only been in it once, but I never thought I would get so many chances to go to the EEOB, Eisenhower Executive Office Building (which is right next to it). This Friday we got the chance to go and speak to someone on the Domestic Policy Council for the President. The six of us from the original HEP/CAMP internship got to speak to them about our CAMP experiences. I was very honest and told them how, at first, I did not want to go through with the program, but throughout the year, I realized how much I benefitted and gained from being a part of CAMP. I want to take some time here to thank everyone on the team back in Moscow for all the work they do, we all appreciate you. Speaking to them along with the people from the HEP/CAMP Association is to hopefully gain more funding and also for them to see these programs are working.
After this, I made my way to work and, of course, had to go to the Farmer's Market. I only have one more next week, which is crazy. After this, I went with Russellie to a walk-through of the Town Hall that we were having next week. A Town Hall is basically a high school pep rally, but at work. It was cool to see that they had used the rough draft agenda that I created to make the one for the event and that they included a suggestion I had for a website they could use for the interactive portion of it. The rest of the day was pretty slow and I mostly worked on my project. That evening we went to go meet the members of the DC United Soccer team thanks to Joan's supervisor who gave him free tickets.
Weekend
Weekend
On Saturday, Joan, Cindy, Gizel, and I went to check out the Old Post Office Tower, but when we got there, we found out that it was closed for the weekend because the elevator stopped working. I was bummed, but we ended up going to the Library of Congress instead. It was cool; the architecture continues to impress me. After this, we went to a BBQ restaurant, and we got some good brisket, ribs, mac n' cheese, and cornbread. I was going to just chill for the rest of the week, but at around 7:30 PM, Joan's supervisor asked if he wanted his two tickets to a DC United soccer game and we took them. We made it for about half the game, but it was so much fun seeing them play Celtic FC. On Sunday, we volunteered at the Afro-Latino festival right outside of DC.
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