The Federal Women’s Program (FWP) Committee is proud to announce the commencement of the Farm Production and Conservation’s (FPAC) 2023 Women History Month celebration.
In keeping with this year’s national theme of "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories, "the FWP Committee will highlight the achievement of women throughout March by telling their stories to empower, enhance, and encourage all.
We kick off this celebration by highlighting Kristy Oates, the first woman to service in the role of State Conservationist for NRCS in Texas.
Kristy has worked with the agency for more than 27 years, having begun her NRCS career in 1995 as a soil conservation technician in Freestone County, Texas. During her agency career, she has been promoted through multiple technical, supervisory, and leadership positions within Texas as well as temporary senior leadership assignments in Washington D.C., Iowa, and Minnesota. In 2020, she received her Senior Executive Service (SES) certification – the highest ranking a career federal civil servant can achieve. Kristy holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Sam Houston State University and is a graduate of the USDA’s Emerging Leaders Development Program from The George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership.
When asked who or what empowered, enhanced, and encouraged her throughout her life and career as a conservationist, she said: “There are several pivotal moments I am reminded of as I think back over myin agriculture and conservation. I found out about careers in conservation when I was in high school. My dad and I were visiting with a neighbor down the road who happened to be a retired engineer from the Soil Conservation Service. He told me the local Soil and Water Conservation District usually hires summer help as district technicians. The retiree felt that I would be a good fit for the position since I had vast hands-on experience in farming, ranching, and wildlife operations. I contacted the local district, they completed an interview, and I was hired in 1991.
“During my high school career, I was heavily involved with FFA activities. I served as a chapter, district, and area officer. I showed swine, and I competed in multiple leadership development events such as prepared public speaking, extemporaneous speaking, chapter conducting, and livestock judging to name a few. I won the National FFA New Horizon stewardship essay contest and received my Lone Star FFA degree. I was awarded a proficiency winner in soil and water conservation. My agriculture science teachers had a major impact on my successes as a high school student and beyond.”
Oates said since she began her career with NRCS, there have been several individuals who influenced her professional life.
“I worked with amazing soil conservation technicians who trained me early in my conservation career. Through the years, my supervisors supported me, and I was able to serve as a trainer and subject matter expert for many high-priority agency initiatives and technological advancements. I was also selected to serve on the Texas Civil Rights Advisory Committee. In 2010, I was recruited by the Texas State Conservationist to apply for the National Emerging Leaders Development Program. To my amazement, I was selected for the training, which was a two-year intensive program. This training launched many opportunities for my professional growth across the country.
“From a District Technician to a GS-4 Soil Conservation Technician, to a member of the USDA Senior Executive Service, I have been blessed with a wonderful network of NRCS employees that have continued to mentor, coach, and support me. I encourage all employees to seek out opportunities for personal and professional growth in their careers.”
Original source can be found here.