A "world of work" in agriculture

Chris McGann
Communications

Eighth grader, Addie Barker calibrates a class F metric weight
set used by WSDA Weights and Measures inspectors.

The white cotton glove on Addie Barker’s left hand gave her the look of a museum curator or gemologist. With a steady hand, the 14-year-old gripped a tiny metal weight with a large tweezer and placed it gingerly on the digital scale next to her laptop.

State Metrologist Leslie German watched attentively, guiding her through each step and adding occasional pointers.

Anything from the room’s temperature or humidity to the manner in which Addie sets the weight on the scale could influence the reading.

The eighth grader from NOVA Middle School had ventured beyond the confines of her Olympia classroom to WSDA’s Metrology Laboratory last week as part of the school’s “World of Work” project. She was there to experience a slice of the work life she might expect if she pursues a science-based career.

State Metrologist Leslie German shows Addie Barker how to log data from a
calibration.

This job shadow is an example of the many opportunities the agriculture industry holds for young people exploring career options – some of which may not be the first to come to mind when thinking of agriculture.

Though farming and ranching are cornerstones and what most people think of first at the mention of agriculture, some might not realize how fundamental science is to the entire agriculture industry.

As such, work in agriculture offers myriad job opportunities for aspiring scientists – careers in chemistry, microbiology, genetics, process management and ecology to name just a few.

The little-known, analytical world of metrology, or the science of measurement and measurement uncertainties, is another example.

It is the heart and soul of WDSA’s Weights and Measures Program, which tests and inspects commercial devices to provide price verification and equity for commercial transactions. The program is responsible for package inspection, public education, fuel quality monitoring, and complaint investigations.

The state Metrology Laboratory provides the verified standards and analysis for Weights and Measures field inspectors.

Without an accurate reference for a gallon or a gram or a metric ton, there would be no way to assure the public and private companies that they are getting what they’re paying for at gas pumps, grocery scales or highway weight stations.

A standard used to calibrate an official scale.

Metrology, a field that is, in a very literal sense, defined by precision, the hard sciences such as mathematics, statistics and physics are paramount.

Addie says she’s just “OK” at math, but when pressed she admitted that she currently carries a 98 percent average in her algebra class.

German, a former educator, said it was encouraging to see a young woman like Addie going into science.

“She really does have interest and I’m really tickled about that,” German said.

If Addie is really inspired by metrology, employment opportunities are plentiful.

Weighing the standards is more complicated than you might think.

“Oh my gosh! there are so many, there are labs at Boeing, medical research laboratories, it’s all over the state,” German said. “You don’t realize it, there are labs everywhere. Every state has at least one lab and a lot of biotech companies have metrologists on staff.”

German is the first woman to hold the position of Washington’s State Metrologist and industry-wide she says women are under-represented.

Although Addie clearly has the mathematical aptitude to pursue a career in metrology, she said parts of the discipline are a bit intimidating.

“I don’t think I’m organized enough to be able to do it,” she said.

But in the precise environment of the laboratory, the soft-spoken teen’s precision and a keen attention to detail shined through as she carefully recorded each observation on a spread sheet and replaced the standard to the rack.

From this observer’s prospective, it seems likely her organizational skills were more than adequate to allow her to pursue metrology or almost any scientific career path if she chooses.

She’ll probably pass her algebra class, too.

Scales and meters aren't only for gas pumps and grocery scales

Jerry Buendel
Weights & Measures

Commercial scales are inspected by WSDA Weights & Measures 

While consumers benefit greatly from WSDA’s Weights & Measures Program that ensures weighing and measuring devices are accurate, many might think only of the gas pumps we use to fill our cars or grocery scales weighing our meat and produce.

WSDA’s inspectors are trained to handle a wide range of weighing and measuring devices and have to think broader to assure a level playing field in Washington commerce. We are the agency that tests everything from sensitive scales weighing gold to railroad track car scales used to determine how much money changes hands.

Both buyers and sellers benefit when accurate devices are used to determine charges.

Last week, some of our inspectors used one of our heavy-capacity scale test trucks near Ellensburg to test vehicle scales operated by hay dealers in Kittitas County. The scales are used to weigh hay the dealers are buying from local growers, as well as ocean shipping containers going to overseas customers. Inspectors tested nine scales and found three that needed adjustment and repair. The businesses repaired scales the next day and WSDA’s inspectors issued an approval seal.

Hay and other commodities
Vehicle scales with capacities ranging up to 180,000 pounds are used to weigh trucks hauling tons of hay, sand and gravel, grain and other commodities. The inspectors use a 50,500-pound test truck for part of the test and also a 21,300-pound test cart to check each section of the scale.

Weight cart used to test scale performance

Generally, scales with errors more than 80 pounds are out of tolerance and must be repaired. In addition to accuracy, inspectors examine the weighing platform, vehicle approaches and overall condition of the equipment. Displays and printers are examined to assure that they are calculating properly and printing correct weight tickets.

Accurate scales are important for hay dealers and help them earn the trust and confidence of growers and customers. Weighing errors add up quickly as premium quality export hay sells for as much as $350 per ton. Washington’s hay is among the best in the world and is one of the state’s top agricultural commodities valued at $700 million annually in recent years. In 2015, more than $460 million in forage products were exported to foreign countries.

WSDA adopts national standards 
WSDA uses national accuracy and technical regulations published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Our inspectors complete specialized training and are required to pass national certification exams.

If you have a concern about a gas pump, scale or other weighing device, please email WSDA at wtsmeasures@agr.wa.gov or call 360 902-1857.