4-H « OSU Extension Internship Program

During my time here at the Oregon State University Extension Service office in Morrow County I have had such a fun summer! I have learned so many amazing things about what the Extension Service is all about. I have felt like I have grown my confidence level of being assertive and confident enough to where people felt like they could come to me if they had any questions. This was a challenge for me when I first started my internship. I was never confident in my answers to the public and was always double checking before answering them. Now I have the confidence and knowledge to help people in a way that is more presentable.

During my internship I was able to be hands on in several events. The largest being fair. I had such an amazing time at our county fair and felt like I was able to help and show kids that even though you may not be able to still show animals you can still be a role model to the younger kids and help them have an amazing fair. Fair was by far my favorite event I got to help with but helping with all the other events has been a blast as well. During this internship every day has been a little different and that is why I have come to love this summer so much!

A key takeaway for me over this entire summer has been just rolling with the punches. There is never a guarantee that the day will go as planned and that is alright! As long as things get done before the due date it is a success. This is a great life motto to live by I feel, and it is something I have tried to live by but this summer has really amplified the trueness of this statement. There have been many other lessons I have learned but I feel this is the greatest piece of advice I have come to know is true. This internship has really allowed me to grow as an employee and grow my skillset to be a larger asset for myself. I really encourage other college students to apply for this internship if they are not sure what they want to do for the summer.

-Hailey Cunningham

Hi, my name is Jacob Falk. I am originally from Wallowa County, and had the privilege of returning as an intern for Oregon State University Extension Service in Wallowa County for a second year. My internship was slightly different this year, allowing me to gain a wider acquaintance with the Extension office in Wallowa County.

Jacob Falk poses in front of boxes in Wallowa County — Jacob Falk in Wallowa County

This year, I had the privilege to intern under Pet Schreder helping to collect data for the East Moraine Virtual Fence project on the Wallowa Lake Moraine. Each day started out hiking or 4-Wheeling in the beautiful Wallowa County outdoors to check trail camera footage and monitor grazing impacts on “exclusion zones”. I found my time spent surrounded by the outdoors educational and refreshing. It was an amazing opportunity to learn more about a new technology, improve my record keeping skills, and expand the scope of career choices.

Carrying over from last year, I had the opportunity to work with an incredible team of youth leaders in preparation for the Tri-County 4-H camp in Summerville. This was another highlight of my summer. Through the 4-H portion of my internship, I helped train councilors, organize events and execute plans to help positively impact youth in this regain.

Although this internship has been fun, growth does not come from the most enjoyable moments. It is important to notice the difficult aspects of our work, learn from the challenge and grow as an individual. One of the most educational moments of my internship was when an individual showed extreme apprehension to attending an overnight 4-H event. After a long conversation and much reassurance, I was able to give this individual a tour of the facility while explaining what our event was about. Although this individual was unable to attend the event, I left the situation with a sense of accomplishment that this person may be more comfortable attending overnight 4-H events in the future.

As a returning intern, I can honestly say this experience provided an opportunity to grow professionally, personally and practice career ready skills. Overall, my experience has been incredibly beneficial in developing new skills and deciding future career paths.

This summer with Oregon State University Extension has been so gratifying, growing my skills as a communicator, leader, and organizer. My name is Nyla Bennett and I’m closing out my internship at Wheeler County. I worked with the 4-H program over this summer, spearheading two 4-H county events and getting to be a part of multiple other large scale 4-H endeavors. When looking back on the goals I had set for both my personal development and community impact in this position, I am happy to say I achieved them.

Nyla Bennett at 4-H field day with two sheep and one goat — Nyla Bennett at 4-H field day. Photo: Miesha Bennett

For my first goal, I wanted to bring educational opportunities to the rural youth in our county that they would not otherwise get to experience. Being part of 4-H myself when I was younger, I recognize how important this program is to introduce a wider variety of topics to kids and communities. The events I spearheaded achieved that, the first was our county wide 4-H field day. I chose classes, communicated with workshop teachers, organized class schedules and then led icebreakers, games and taught a class at the event. The field day set 4-H’ers up for success with their current projects, and introduced them to potential project interests. We had classes on photography, archery, rope halter making, ice cream science and so much more.

The other event I arranged was our Wheeler County Cloverbud Day Camps. This two-day event is something I’m incredibly proud of. The pre-K through third grade kids were fascinated with the workshops we offered, and had whole-hearted enthusiasm for every activity. I planned curriculums for interactive classes with topics such as “Wheat Ag”, “Chicken Anatomy” and “Buoyancy” that the younger age group could understand and engage with. I created the schedule, advertised, and worked with my supervisor to create this amazing, free event. Being able to bring youth together so they can learn and grow is so important to me and I’m glad I was able to be a part of these activities.

One aspect of this position I was excited for was getting to work with a variety of people in ever changing situations and settings. In my past jobs I generally stayed within set areas for predictable things. However, working in this position I was often thrown into new situations that tested my skills and pushed me to grow. For example, one day I was asked to teach a class in Mitchell. I had two days to prepare, then I traveled there and taught a pollinator class that introduced the students to bees’ effect on agriculture and robotics. I was given the responsibility of representing Wheeler County Extension on my own and this experience, along with others like it, strengthened my abilities to quickly organize and execute a plan.

Being an Oregon State University Extension intern in Wheeler County has been everything I wanted and more. I want to thank my supervisor, Amy Derby, for guiding and supporting me. Through this position I have grown my skills, tested my abilities, and brought opportunities to the community I cherish.

Hello again! I am Georgette Brewer, and this is my second blog of my summer internship this year at the Oregon State University’s Extension Office in Lincoln County. I have been working currently for over seven weeks in the intern position and I can say that I have had a pleasurable experience this summer!

Georgette Brewer leading a 4-H project. Photo: Shelley Spangler

I was most looking forward to getting a look at the job field, what it looks like and giving me an idea of what I would get out of the experience. I can say that Extension Services did not hold back with the number of things there are available for people to engage in with others. I realized that there was more than I had expected outside of 4-H subjects I knew like archery and raising animals, such as cooking, gardening, photography and more. Thus far, I have been a part of the prepping stages of the State Shooting Sports Contest, the county fair and STEAM Summer Camp during the summer. I can say that I have been more than happy with the internship so far. It was entertaining to play a part in such a large community-held fair that I have been to a lot as I grew up, or to help with the preparation of the shooting sports state contest for the year 2024.

However, a struggle that I recognize I have is taking initiative in situations. It usually takes me a while to get into the groove of certain things and I know that it is something I can improve on. To make myself a better employee and intern for not just this job, but any others that I may have in the future. A key takeaway that I have of my experience this summer is that it was a wild ride. There were so many things to help with and do that I did not have much time to sit still. I am still thankful that I was able to do something with my hands that would help prevent that. A piece of knowledge I hope to use later from my time in this position would be the experience itself. This job had taught me job manners, or how to behave, along with the mindset it requires for one to work proficiently. My project is something that I have changed many times, trying to find what sticks. Going from just organizing files and supplies, to other ideas that I was not sure had fit. I felt that I could do more and my mind wandered to other subjects I have an interest in. One of the topics my mind drifted to was Forensic Science and Animal Science immediately. With a little brainstorming with my 4-H instructor, Shelley Spangler, I had produced something for my project that both aligned with my interests and could potentially be used for a game to identify things in nature.

Hi, my name is Heidi Moran and I have been an Oregon State University Extension intern in Union County intern. This summer was extremely busy but filled with so many incredible experiences! During my internship I mainly worked with 4-H and our Iron Chef cooking class through our Snap-Ed and 4-H programs. Before starting this internship, I was extremely involved in 4-H for nine years and my summers were always filled with many 4-H activities. As an intern I have enjoyed being able to work for 4-H and see all of the work and time that goes into putting on all of these summer 4-H events. Some of the events I helped prepare for were Eastern Oregon Livestock Show, Tri County 4-H Camp, Union County Fair, and preparation for the Oregon State Fair.

Heidi Moran, Lena Wheeling at Tri County 4-H Camp. Photo: Katie Hauser

One of the major 4-H events I helped with this summer was the Union County Fair. There is a lot of preparation work and behind the scenes work that goes into fair. The weeks leading up to fair I helped prepare exhibitor packets, clerk books and many other projects that were needed to be finished before fair began. During our pre-fair week, I clerked and helped out at the horse show. During fair I was able to clerk all of the livestock shows, help in our Oregon State Extension booth, and help prepare for the awards program. Even though it was a busy week at fair, it was fun being able to work at the fairgrounds and seeing 4-H members enjoying the fair.
Leading up to the Oregon State Fair I spent many hours preparing exhibits to be sent to Salem. I tagged all of the items, made sure that all of the exhibits had all of the necessary paperwork, and packaged them so they could safely to travel down to State Fair. It was a lot of work and took a long time but I enjoyed seeing the projects that kids had worked on all year and preparing them for State Fair.
This summer I also had the opportunity to work with our Iron Chef cooking class through the Snap-Ed program. Every Wednesday during the classes I helped make sure the kids were being responsible in the kitchen. The last class was a competition to see who could make the best one pot skillet meal. Kids were given the opportunity to be creative with what protein, grain, vegetable and sauce they were going to use in their skillet. I was asked if I would be one of the three judges for the competition. I enjoyed being able to see how creative some of the kids got with their skillets and how their cooking skills had improved over the course of the classes.
This internship has been an incredible experience. I was able to learn and grow from working with Extension. This internship has been a highlight of my summer the last two years and I am hoping to be able to do it again next summer. I am grateful for all of the experiences and relationships I was able to build this summer!

Hello! My name is Riley Hampton. This summer I served as the 4-H Intern for Oregon State Extension in Umatilla County. I am super grateful for my time working with OSU Extension this year. This summer has been full of amazing and fun work.
This summer internship was bookended by two fairs. At the beginning of the summer, I was able to help with our very first pre-fair, where exhibitors were able to compete in food contests, public speaking, fashion revue and more. This, being the first pre-fair for Umatilla County, was a learning experience for all and I am very proud of how it turned out.

4-H Club member eating a blue cupcake at Cupcake Wars — 4-H Club member at Cupcake Wars. Photo: Riley Hampton

During the week of pre-fair, I was able to lead Cloverbud Camp, a day camp for young 4-H members. The activities I designed were made with learning and doing in mind. Cloverbuds learned about plants and plant care while taking home their very own hanging plant. They learned about soil profiles at snack time, participated in a science experiment that resulted in their very own lava lamp and they created art that they were then able to turn into fair. Overall, I am very proud of my work with pre-fair and Cloverbud Camp.
With pre-fair over, focus now shifted to the Umatilla County Fair. But before we could devote too much time to the week, there were a few more competitions that needed our attention. After nine years of being an active 4-H member, this was my first year ever seeing 4-H dog show, horse showmanship and shooting sports!
Now, finally, the big one. Umatilla County Fair took place publicly from August 7th to the 10th. However, the fair truly began far before the 7th. Throughout the week, I strove to help in any way I could. This allowed me to really see what it takes to run a fair after participating in them for so long. I have a newfound respect for all those who understand the work it takes to organize an event of this size.
Genuinely, this summer has been amazing. I have had such a good time working as an OSU Extension Intern and I hope to continue this experience in the years to come. So, goodbye for now, and happy end-of-summer to all!

Hello! My name is Daisy O’Hearn, and I’m currently in the second part of my internship with Oregon State University Extension Service. This summer has been an incredibly busy and rewarding time for me, filled with a variety of projects and new experiences. As a political science major with minors in legal studies and nonprofit administration, this internship has provided me with invaluable hands-on learning opportunities that I’m truly grateful for. This is my second summer working with Extension, and I’ve had the privilege of working with both 4-H and, for the first time, the Master Gardener program.

Daisy O'Hearn performing health checks on animals at the Lincoln County fair. — Daisy O’Hearn performing health checks on animals at the Lincoln County fair.

My journey with OSU Extension began long before this internship. I was a 4-H member for 10 years, and last summer, I had the opportunity to intern with the organization. These experiences have greatly shaped my understanding of community outreach and education. I’m particularly thankful to Heather, the Lincoln County Extension Agent, for her guidance and for trusting me to take the lead on several projects. Her support has made me feel truly welcomed and valued as part of the team.

At the fair, I got to work closely with animals and help in the static building, which was a lot of fun. I also pitched in with printing tasks and assisted the judges. But I think my favorite part was spending time at the Extension booth. Celia August taught me how to build a sales pitch and explain OSU Extension’s mission to people who weren’t familiar with it. I really enjoyed connecting with the public and sharing what OSU Extension is all about.

In addition to my work at the fair, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with the Master Gardener program. One of my key projects was creating a “How To” guide for the Master Gardeners on using and creating QR codes. This project taught me the importance of breaking down tasks into clear, manageable steps, and it was rewarding to see the final product come together. On the 4-H side, I’m currently developing a salesmanship clinic. I’m putting together a presentation that I’ll record, so 4-H members can continue to benefit from it even after my internship ends. Salesmanship is important because it enhances effective communication skills. And it is useful not only for selling products but also for presentations, interviews and advancing careers. I believe anyone can develop salesmanship skills, and I’m excited to help 4-Hers grow in this area.

As I reflect on my experiences, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunities I’ve had to learn and grow through my work with Extension. The summer has flown by, but I’ve gained so much knowledge and experience that I know will stay with me for years to come. I look forward to hopefully continuing my work with Extension in the future. I am excited to see how the skills I’ve developed this summer will shape my career path. Thank you for following along with my journey!

Hello everyone,

I am in the last week of my internship at the Oregon State University Extension Office in Malheur County and I have had a great summer! If you’ve read my first blog, you might remember that I was looking forward to working with 4-H youth in Malheur County. 4-H was my primary focus over the course of my internship and our fair was July 30th-August 3rd. I got to spend a lot of time with 4-H youth and work to offer them the opportunities they deserve. This summer, I spent a lot of my time preparing for fair and also helping youth with their livestock at fair. My big internship project was the show-clothes drive I hosted. This was so much fun and a great way to allow the greater community to become involved and to help develop 4-H youth.

Bennett Johnson and 4-H Youth with show clothes donations. Photo: Tessa Harnden

Through my internship this summer, I have learned quite a few things and also struggled with some others. The main struggle I’ve worked to overcome is the disappointment with my internship project. While I had a ton of show-clothes donations come in, I struggled to gain traction with the youth and did not have as large of a turn-out as I would have hoped. The show-clothes drive is something that I want to become an annual thing to continue to offer the opportunity to look good and feel good in the show ring! I am so grateful to those that donated to the show-clothes drive and I can’t wait to see how it grows and adapts in the future.

A key takeaway from my internship is the importance Extension has in working with and in the community. Malheur County is a rural, ag-based county and it is important for the community to stay connected and have the services and opportunities that Extension offers. From questions about yield rates, knowledge about wildfires, 4-H entry questions, or just offering our conference room as a place for people to gather, Extension offers it all. I am grateful to have been a part of offering these services to Malheur County.

Lastly, a piece of knowledge that I hope to use later is something I learned from the office manager at the Extension office in Malheur County: “Breathe in, Breathe Out, Move on”. It is easy for me to get hung up on things that didn’t go my way, or that I might have accidentally messed up. If I breathe in, breathe out and move on, I can move past those things and continue to grow. Through this internship, I have grown leaps and bounds in both my professional and my personal skills. This has been a wonderful opportunity and I am incredibly thankful to have been given the opportunity to intern with OSU Extension.

Hello, my name is Symone. I am a summer intern with Oregon State University Extension Service in Lincoln County. During my internship I will be working primarily in Master Gardeners and Small Farms with Evelyn Smith as my supervisor but, on occasion I do work with 4-H as well. A little about me is that I grew up in Lincoln County (more specifically Newport) where during most of my childhood my mom was a Sea Grant Extension Agent and so, as a kid, I became remarkably familiar with Extension and their mission to serve people, and the involvement they have across so many communities. As for more recently I got back from doing a ten-month exchange abroad in the Czech Republic that was an incredible experience that opened my eyes to so many things. For example, how accessible things such as healthcare and public transport have become over there.

Symone Hildenbrand picks blueberries in Siletz. Photo: Evie Smith

Some other things you should know about me are that I am 4-H alumni and was in the program for eight years and throughout my time in the program, I showed dogs for all eight of those years and eventually graduated out of the program. After my internship I will be moving to Monmouth, where I will go to Western Oregon University in the fall, and I will be majoring in gerontology with the intention of becoming an activities manager at a senior center. Something I hope to get out of this internship is planning and management skills that will help prepare me for my future and for my career. Some notable things I have done so far during my internship have been going on a tour of Pacific Seafoods, helping at Lego camp and, getting to go out to Siletz every week where I get to pick blueberries at Gibson Farms. I look forward to my experiences to come!

Hello everybody,

My name is Hailey Cunningham. I am very fortunate to be the intern at the Oregon State University Extension office in Morrow County, in Heppner this summer. My work mostly evolves around the 4-H program, but I also do many other tasks around the office. I did not grow up in Heppner, but have been living here for three years. I grew up in Wallowa County and some time in a little town called Frenchglen in South-Eastern Oregon.

Hailey Cunningham, OSU Extension Intern in Morrow County. Photo: Jessica Tomasini

I am currently going to school at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton and will be graduating with my associates of agricultural business this spring. I will be continuing my education by going on to receive my bachelor’s, but I am looking into options of where I want to attend. I did 4-H all through my grade school and high school career, so I have been in the extension office many times to get forms and do things that needed to be done for my various 4-H projects, but that was as far as my knowledge went for understanding what the Extension Service does. I am now quickly learning what Extension really does and all the facets that are offered under our office.

I hope to further my knowledge in the 4-H program so that I can come back and volunteer and have a greater understanding of what needs to be done. I am really looking forward to our fair and getting to help prepare for this event and help during that week. I am also looking forward to creating a project that will serve as my end of summer farewell. My project will be involving Cloverbuds and future Cloverbuds to try and boost enrollment through this amazing program. My hope is that through this project it will give kids the enthusiasm to chase their dreams and become future 4-H members.

OSU Extension Internship Program

Category Archives: 4-H

OSU Extension intern grows in confidence

OSU Extension intern finds personal and professional growth

OSU Extension internship strengthens skills and creates opportunity

Extension intern’s summer experience spans from archery to animals

Long time 4-Her wraps up summer as Extension intern

Extension intern reflects on summer of fairs

OSU Extension intern connects with the public at fair

Extension intern hosts “show” clothes drive

OSU Extension intern learns planning and management techniques

Intern hopes to boost enrollment in OSU Extension

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