4-H « OSU Extension Internship Program

I have truly enjoyed being an Oregon State University Extension Service this
summer. I have been able to participate in multiple events and develop new skills. While
my experience was entirely with 4-H I have had the opportunity to help with a range of
activities. I started off by teaching flower arranging at our Junior Master Gardener camp.
Flower arranging was one of my main 4-H projects, and I enjoyed sharing my
knowledge.

Dean Burwash is raised for a fun picture. Photo: Andrea Hunter

I also worked on my grant application skills by researching and looking at
successful applications. I had a difficult time finding grants that could be applied to the
specific things we needed them for. Some grants looked very promising and in the fine
print said that they would not give funds to universities or university programs. I was
successful with an application, and I also found a few perfect grants that we just missed
the deadlines for. I enjoyed learning about the grant application process, and I hope that
I can find a few more before my internship is over.

I continued creating Canva graphics for social media reminders, events and
posts. Throughout the last school year, I was working as an unpaid 4-H intern and all I
did was create social media posts. I have become well equipped using Canva and I can
see my improvement from my designs when I started.

The biggest part of my internship was working at the Polk County Fair. I spent
part of my time in the 4-H building answering questions and such. Most of my time was
spent running errands around the fairgrounds and helping with morning meetings.
In between these events I spent my time at the Oregon Outdoor Education
Center at 4-H Wild West Camp in July and August. I was not there only as an intern
necessarily, but it was still one of my favorite experiences working with 4-H this
summer.

The last two weeks I worked at the Oregon State Fair helping with setup,
teardown and picking up our county’s exhibits.

I think I gained a better understanding of 4-H programming and the work that
goes into things behind the scenes. I would tell future interns to participate in as many
things as they can. I have enjoyed participating in a wide range of events and activities
as an intern.

– Dean Burwash

Hello, lovely people! My name is Nyla Bennett, and this is my closing blog for this year’s internship. I
hope that the people around me enjoyed this summer as much as I did.

Nyla Bennett, an intern in Wheeler County, enjoys a delicious crepe at the 4-H State Fair. Photo: Sophie Grow

This was my second time working as a Wheeler County Extension Service Intern, and reflecting on the
work I did last year compared to this year, I am so incredibly proud. I’m proud of the growth of our local
4-H program. I’m proud of the 4-H members with their projects and the effort they devoted to them.
And I’m proud of the skills I have developed over this past year, and how I implemented them in this
internship.

If I could give any piece of advice to future interns coming into this position, I’d have to say: you can’t
expect yourself to be able to do everything, but if you never try, you’ll never know if you could. Very
simple and cliché, but in this internship, you get to experience a wide variety of careers and will be
asked to complete tasks you may not think you can. For instance, over the course of our fair week, I
stood in for a clerk, photographer, herdsmanship judge and handyman, to name a few. I definitely was
not experienced with some of those jobs, but I learned what I needed to do and did the best I could.
The flexibility and variety are two aspects of this internship I adore. However, I also love the expected
parts of this position. In my role, I teach and lead classes and clinics, and guide 4-Hers to give them a
scaffold as future leaders. Working with the 4-H fair Junior Superintendents, I guided them through the
process of emceeing an awards ceremony, instructed them on the importance of delegating amongst a
group of leaders and encouraged them to face the fears of public speaking.

There have been so many opportunities presented to me in this position, but one of my favorites was
getting the chance to travel to the state capital and help with the photography section at the 4-H state
fair. I was a 4-H photographer myself when I was a youth in the program. I had many of my own photos
sent to the state, and being able to facilitate this process and work with the judges was such a treat
(along with the food at Salem, I had some crepes that were to die for).

Soon, I’m going to be heading back to La Grande to continue pursuing my bachelor of science in nursing
through OHSU. Heading into the nursing program and my future career, I’m even more grateful I had the
opportunity to be in this position. I’ve managed youth and adults, adapting programs/resources to fit
their personal needs. I’ve practiced interpersonal communication, explaining foreign concepts to my
students. Lastly, I’ve really learned the importance of empathizing with someone’s situation, so I can
understand exactly what they need and be more effective with both of our time. I’m excited to take
these refined skills into my day-to-day practice.

Hello, my name is Abigail Cape, and I am in towards the end of my internship for this
year with Polk County 4-H. Throughout this summer, I have had so many amazing experiences
and opportunities within Polk County 4-H. Some of my favorites were helping with the Jr. Master
Gardeners Camp, working with the West Salem Dream Center and finally being able to help
with both county and state fair. Fair itself has always been a favorite of mine; as a youth to show
at, and now as an intern being able to help with all of the behind the scenes work before, during,
and after fair is something that I truly enjoy. During our county fair this year, I had the
opportunity to run the small animal judging contest, which typically consists of knowledge, breed
ID and finally a couple of animals for the kids to judge; however, due to number of animals
required for a class, the judging portion of the contest was omitted causing the contest to be
more of a knowledge contest. Youth were able to choose from four different tests, two were
about rabbits and cavies (guinea pigs), with the other two being about various kinds of poultry.
During the state fair, I was able to clerk for the horticulture exhibits for the 4-H for the second
time, as well as work in the 4-H building at the state fair.

OSU Extension intern, Abigail Cape, assists with the small animal projects at the Polk County Fair. Pictured is a 4-Her walking her Cochin Bantam. Photo: Annalee Altavilla

Throughout my time this summer working with Extension, I have been able to learn so
much. With our county growing and more kids being interested in more things, helping the 4-H
program I grew up with grow and adapt to meet the needs of all the new members makes me so
happy. The skills I have learned during this internship will help me in my future years at school,
but also in my future career. As this summer and this internship unfortunately come to a close,
I’m reminded of all that I have learned through this program. I am truly grateful for everything
that I have experienced and everyone I have met in this internship this summer.

Hi, my name is Heidi Moran, and this summer I have been the Union County intern. This summer has
been busy with many incredible experiences. During my internship, I mainly worked with various 4-H
events. Before this internship, I was always extremely involved in 4-H. I have enjoyed working for 4-H
and being able to see all the work that goes into running all of the events I used to participate in. This
summer, I helped with the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show, Union County Interstate Exchange Trip, Tri-
County 4-H Camp and the Union County Fair.

Heidi Moran and Shelby Benson strike a pose at the Tri-County 4-H Camp Celebration. Photo: Heidi Moran

This summer, I was able to help with the Tri-County 4-H camp. This year’s camp theme was board
games. Before camp, I helped prepare all of the necessary supplies that we would need at camp. At
camp, I helped with check-in, board game Pictionary and popping popcorn. I also taught an ice cream
class with our office specialist, Shelby Benson. We also created a playlist for the celebration and MCed
the celebration. 4-H camp was always a highlight of my summer every year, and I enjoyed being able to
help out.

The main event I helped with this summer was the Union County Fair. I helped with preparations for the
fair, such as making exhibitor packets, putting together clerk books and preparing awards. Before the
fair started, I helped with the horse show and pre-fair contests such as the fashion revue. During the fair
week, I was the clerk for all of the livestock shows and handed out ribbons for the steer show. OSU
Extension also had a booth at the fair, so I helped decorate (we won), staff the booth and engage with
the public, informing them of all the opportunities presented by OSU Extension. When I had free time
from helping with 4-H events. It was a great Union County Fair!

An office project I helped with this summer was the renovation of our conference room. We were
getting new flooring put in, so Shelby Benson and I pulled up some of the carpet. We also painted the
bottom of the conference room walls blue. When the flooring was finished, we brought all of the
furniture back in and arranged it. This is a project that will have a lasting impact on space functionality
for community members.

This will be my final summer as an intern. Over the last 3 years, I have learned many things, such as time
management, organization and how to paint (kind of). I also made many relationships and memories
over the past 3 years. I will be able to use what I have learned and the relationships I have built in my
future career as an educator.

Hi again! For those of you I missed last time around, my name is Riley Hampton. This is my
second summer working with the Oregon State University Extension Internship Program. This
summer, I have had the opportunity to work with Umatilla County 4-H!

A Cloverbud rabbit showman proudly shows off their project during the Umatilla County Fair. Photo: Shauna Newman

This summer has been a fun, but busy one. Two weeks ago, Umatilla County 4-H participated in
the Umatilla County Fair, where youth participated in many activities and contests all week long.
From Food Preservation to Dairy Showmanship, 4-H members exhibited their skills, knowledge
and sportsmanship all fair long.

One new contest this year was dedicated to our youngest members of 4-H. Cloverbud Show and
Tell debuted this year, allowing 4-Hers from the ages of 5-8 to bring in their pets (anything from
turkeys to hamsters) and show them off. The goal of Show and Tell was to teach Cloverbuds the
care and attention it takes to bring an animal to the fair, as well as to get them started in the
world of Small Animal Showmanship. Well, I do hope Cloverbud Show and Tell lived up to its
goals, especially considering I was the judge!

In all seriousness, this summer has been an amazing experience. I learned so much, met tons of
new 4-Hers and worked beside some of the best people all summer long. I’d like to thank my
supervisor, Shauna Newman. This is her last year with 4-H, and she has been absolutely
amazing. I am so thankful for this summer with Oregon State University Extension so far, and so
excited for the rest of the summer to come.

This summer, I had the privilege of working as an intern with the 4-H Extension Service. From
the moment I stepped into the office, I knew this was going to be more than just a seasonal job
— it was going to be an opportunity to connect with my community, strengthen my
professional skills and contribute to a program that has been making a difference in the lives of
young people for generations.

One of my first projects was creating informational bulletin boards. While this might sound
simple, it quickly became a creative challenge. The goal was to design displays that were not
only visually appealing but also informative and engaging for all ages. I researched topics,
gathered images and learned how to present information in a way that was accessible, fun and
aligned with the mission of 4-H. Seeing families stop to read the boards and talk about them
during events was incredibly rewarding — it reminded me that even small touches can leave a
lasting impact.

As the summer went on, preparations for the county fair kicked into high gear. Helping set up
for the fair was no small task. From moving tables and equipment to arranging exhibits, every
step required teamwork and problem-solving. The fairgrounds transformed from an empty
space into a lively hub of activity, showcasing livestock, crafts and the hard work of 4-H
members. I gained a deeper appreciation for the behind-the-scenes effort that makes these
events possible, and I learned that flexibility and patience are just as important as physical work
when it comes to event preparation.

One of the highlights of my internship was running a fundraiser to support the 4-H
Ambassadors. I coordinated sales, promoted the event and worked closely with both the
ambassadors and community members. This experience taught me valuable lessons about
communication, organization and the importance of building relationships. It was amazing to
see how willing people were to support a good cause when they understood the mission and
saw the passion behind it.

Looking back, this internship gave me far more than I expected. I developed practical skills —
like event planning, public speaking and creative design — that I can carry into any future role. I
also gained a stronger sense of community and learned the importance of teamwork,
adaptability and service.

But beyond the skills, what I’ll remember most are the people — the dedicated staff, the
enthusiastic 4-H members, the supportive parents and the countless volunteers who make
everything possible. Their commitment inspired me and showed me the power of coming
together to achieve something bigger than ourselves.

My summer with the 4-H Extension Service wasn’t just about bulletin boards, fair set-up, or
fundraising — it was about being part of a mission that helps youth grow into capable, caring
and contributing members of society. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have played even a
small role in that mission, and I look forward to carrying these lessons into my next chapter.

-Kyla Baxter

Hello again! My name is Aspen Bowling, and I am currently getting ready to go into my third
year at Oregon State University. As I enter the final few weeks of my internship with the Oregon
State University Extension Service in Clatsop County, I’ve had time to reflect on all that I’ve
learned, the connections I’ve made and the meaningful work I’ve been fortunate to be part of.
From hands-on experience with local programs to helping at one of the county’s biggest annual
events, this internship has given me a deeper appreciation for community-based education,
agriculture and wellness.

OSU Extension intern, Aspen Bowling, snaps a photo of livestock showmen at the Clatsop County Fair. Photo: Aspen Bowling

One of the highlights of this half of my internship was attending the Joy of Gardening
Conference in Corvallis in July. This event brought together Master Gardeners, educators and
plant lovers from across the state to learn, connect and grow. I had the chance to sit in on
fascinating workshops, meet new faces and expand my knowledge of sustainable gardening
practices. Being part of a space where people were so passionate about sharing information
and building stronger garden communities was incredibly inspiring. Back here in Clatsop
County, I’ve continued supporting the OSU Master Gardener Program by helping with
educational events, prepping materials and working alongside volunteers who are committed
to teaching others how to grow food and care for the environment. It’s been a great experience
seeing how this program connects people of all ages and backgrounds. This summer, I also had
the opportunity to get creative with some digital media production. I’ve been involved in
everything from photography and graphic design to helping manage social media posts that
promote events and share the story of Extension’s work. While much of this happens behind
the scenes, it’s a big part of how Extension reaches wider audiences and keeps the community
informed and engaged. I’ve enjoyed learning how to blend creativity with communication to
support outreach and education.

One of the most meaningful parts of my internship was working at the Clatsop County Fair. Not
only was it exciting to be involved in the planning and support side like helping with 4-H events,
capturing moments through photography and being part of the team, but it also brought back
personal memories from when I was in 4-H myself. Walking through the barns and seeing youth
proudly show their animals reminded me of my own experiences growing up. It was truly
inspiring to see today’s 4-H members building confidence, learning responsibility and creating
the same kinds of lasting memories that shaped me. Being there reminded me of how impactful
those moments are and how important it is to keep supporting the next generation. Lastly, I’ve
continued working with the Family and Community Health program, assisting with outreach
and learning more about wellness education and nutrition resources. I have continued
participating in the Mobile Produce pantries, and it is still just as rewarding to see that program
firsthand. This work really showed me how Extension touches every part of community life,
from gardens to kitchens to classrooms.

With just a few weeks left, I’m grateful for everything this internship has taught me. I’ve grown
professionally, gained new skills and met so many inspiring people who are passionate about
helping others. It’s been an incredible season of growth for both the community and for me.

Gracie Cox

Since my last post, my weeks at Extension are flying by and I’m feeling more and more ingrained in Lane County’s projects and culture.

By far, the most exhilarating experience of my internship has been working at the Lane County Fair with our 4-H team for the 4-H and FFA Fair. Coming from a suburban background where my interactions with animals amounted to the occasional squirrel, witnessing the dedication, community and skill of 4-Hers at the fair was incredible. And even more so, I admired the efforts of 4-H families, volunteers and, of course, staff in aiding their success. While fair showed me just how much I still have to learn about this program, I’m impressed by how quickly I picked up the small details that enable an event as complex as fair to run smoothly; these being thorough and direct communication, knowing when to plan ahead and when to act in the moment and how to prioritize the public’s often contrasting needs.

A young man walking a black and white cattle in a fair barn. — A youth showman walking their steer to be groomed in the Lane County Fair’s Cattle Barn. Photo: Gracie Cox

A key takeaway from fair, and this experience as a whole, is that in public service, there is no “perfect” decision or program. There will always be unexpected (or even expected) hurdles, and the key to being successful in public-facing roles is embracing these challenges as learning opportunities. Even more, I’ve learned to focus on positive feedback and experiences to contextualize the less positive. Appreciating that, at the end of the day, your work has a net positive impact on the community is key to maintaining the vigor necessary to sustain yourself in this field. This is a lesson I plan on referring back to in all areas of my life, whether it be my education, career, relationships or as an overall approach to where and how I spend my time.

Two people sitting behind a table with yellow and blue papers on it — Gracie and Lane County 4-H’s EPA, Kate Hammarback, preparing materials for Master Showmanship at Lane County’s 4-H and FFA Fair. Photo: Elizabeth Gangwer

For future Extension interns, my advice is to throw yourself into the experience, even when it may be intimidating to try new things and potentially mess up. The “newness” of experiences and people at Extension is what makes this opportunity so beneficial. Lean into the aspects that you’re unfamiliar with and watch your confidence grow day by day. Those days will soon turn into weeks, which will turn into months, and all of a sudden, you’ll be preparing to tell Extension “goodbye.”

Hello! My name is Dean Burwash, I am a freshman at Oregon State University,
majoring in natural resources. I am an intern for the Oregon State University Extension
Service in Polk County. I have worked for OSU Extension previously as a Summer
Education Assistant at the Oregon Outdoor Education Center (formerly the Oregon 4-H
Center), where I taught at camps and helped manage the facility. I have been very
involved in 4-H for the last eight years, where I have served as a Polk County and 4-H
State Ambassador, camp counselor and 4-H intern. I have also attended numerous
conferences and taught various classes.

Dean Burwash at the Oregon 4-H Center. Photo: Sarah LaDuke

I just attended the 4-H Summer Conference for the last time as a youth, and I will
be a Junior Camp Director at both 4-H Wild West Camps this summer. I have been
going to camp since I joined 4-H. This year for the fair, I plan to enter some photos, a
wood mosaic (which is incomplete) and other miscellaneous static exhibits.
Previously, I worked for Oregon State University as a student employee at the
Oregon 4-H Center. I spent almost every night last summer living there and getting to
participate in each camp beyond the normal workday. I taught all kinds of activities and
classes, including archery, leatherworking, ropes course, big swings, arts & crafts and
canoes. This was my first job, and I feel like it gave me some unrealistic work standards
because of my love for camp. I am glad that I now have a wider range of work
experience types. This summer is primarily online and last summer was spent teaching
outdoors all the time.

This summer, for my internship, I am primarily working on grant applications to
begin with. These include requests from 4-H clubs, getting robotics curriculum,
purchasing incubators and funding art/welding classes. I am looking forward to
improving my grant application skills and hopefully seeing positive results. I am also
excited to be creating social media posts and learning how to use our new embroidery
machine! So far, I have started some grant applications, and I am working on finding
more.

Hello, my name is Abigail Cape, and this is my second-year interning for Oregon State
University Extension Service Polk County Extension in Dallas, OR. I am going into my third year at
Oregon State University majoring in psychology. After I graduate, as of right now I am hoping to go to
graduate school to get my doctoral degree in counseling psychology. For my future career I hope to either
have a career as a counselor with a specialty in trauma or becoming a counselor for teens and young
adults, with a Christian backing. Along with studying psychology, I am also going into my third year in
the clarinet section of the Oregon State University Marching Band, this is an activity that I just started
doing while at Oregon State and I have learned and grown so much in. This is also an area both on and off
campus where I am constantly making new connections as well as new friends. My past experience with
Oregon State Extension primarily is being a member of 4-H for nine years, volunteering with 4-H
Extension for a year and my internship with Extension last year. I was also granted the opportunity to take
a class on Extension that is taught by Oregon State. Throughout my time in 4-H I showed rabbits, bred
and owned market rabbits, turkeys and bred and owned market turkeys, as well as various leadership
roles.

Students at the Polk County Jr. Master Gardeners Camp begin learning about floral arrangements. Photo: Abigail Cape

Over this summer I hope to continue to learn about the various aspects of behind the scenes work
that goes into 4-H and Extension. In my internship last year, I was able to learn so much and I am
eternally grateful to have this opportunity for the second year in a row. Last year I worked with multiple
different project groups that I had never worked with before in the pre-fair weeks of planning and
preparation, particularly with horses. I was also able to do projects that were closer to what I did as a 4-
H’er by conducting a small animal master showmanship class. This class was meant to teach youth the
basics of handling different animals that would be found in a small animal master showmanship class,
basic knowledge about those animals and other information about your show presence that can help you
stand out while showing. Throughout this summer I am excited to learn more about how to plan and run a
variety of classes with different topics. I will also have the opportunity to learn more about marketing for
the 4-H program, working with various fundraisers and senior scholarship/graduating senior related
promotions. I also will have the chance to work on a multitude of fair related tasks. Through my past
internship experience I have learned so much and I hope to continue to learn and grow this summer! I
have grown up with a deep love of 4-H, which was developed quite a bit here in Polk County, and I am so
excited to help the program grow in any way that I can!

OSU Extension Internship Program

Category Archives: 4-H

OSU Extension Intern explores the heart of 4-H through events and engagement

OSU Extension intern shares wisdom for future interns

OSU Extension intern helps grow the 4-H program that grew her

OSU Extension intern closes out three years of service and growth

OSU Extension intern embraces 4-H spirit at the Umatilla County Fair

OSU Extension intern learns, serves and grows

Growing Confidence and Community

OSU Extension intern builds on 4-H roots to make a lasting impact

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