Ag and Natural Resources « OSU Extension Internship Program

Hi, my name is Cydney Stables, and I am the Agritourism intern for the Marion, Polk and Yamhill
County offices. A major part of my internship is traveling to Agritourism operations across the
state, surveying their customers for a day. We are collecting their information in a consumer
sentiment research project to help understand the value Agritourism serves in our
communities.

A photo of the product shelves available in the honey tasting room at Flying Bee Ranch. Photo: Cydney Stables

Our questions include topics of reasons for visiting the farm, distance traveled to get to the
farm, amount of money spent, overall satisfaction with their on-farm experience, best ways for
farmers to connect with consumers and why farms in general should be open to the public?
Several of these topics spark conversations with consumers and farmers alike. I have had the
opportunity while surveying to chat with individuals at the farm and learn more verbally about
their perspectives, experiences and personal opinions surrounding agriculture. I have found that
for consumers, the main reasons as to why Agritourism should exist seem to reside around
having the availability of locally grown products, the exposure to agricultural operations, a way
for farmers to make income and simply an activity to do with the family. To me, each of these
are important indicators that Agritourism is essential to educating consumers about the
agriculture industry.

Besides talking with consumers, I have also had the opportunity to speak with passionate
farmers and learn more about their challenges, goals and what they wished the public knew
about farming. My most recent experience of this was with the owner of Flying Bee Ranch in
Salem. Jeremy owns and manages a small honey operation where they host guests at a tasting
room on the farm, attend local farmers markets and provide direct-to-consumer products at
local stores. He sat down towards the end of my day surveying and chatted with me all about
his views as a farmer when it came to regulations surrounding Agritourism and the impact his
farm has on his customers. Some of these views include the difficulty he faces only owning a 5-
acre plot of land and trying to produce a living, the uncertainty of weather and other opposing
events impacting his daily sales and even a trend he has noticed when attending markets that
involves competing with what consumers define as “local.” Each of these concerns are topics
that Jeremy and likely many other small farmers worry about regularly, yet customers likely
never even realize.

To me, these conversations have been the most impactful part of my internship experience so
far. Coming from a small farm background and having the opportunity to network, learn and
experience how other small farms across the state of Oregon operate, the challenges they face
and the ways in which they are successful, has been extremely worthwhile.
I can’t wait to continue surveying farms across the state as I complete my internship. I am
excited to learn, network and collect research that will help aid in the awareness and
excitement surrounding a small sector of the agriculture industry.

Hi, I’m Rachel and I’m an intern at Oregon State University Extension Service in Hood River
County. I have been working in partnership with the Master Gardener volunteers at the FISH Food
Bank Garden. The mission of the garden is to grow produce for the food bank and provide garden
education to the community. The garden is a place for people to visit, volunteer and connect with
others.

Rachel Fuller smiles for the camera in the FISH Garden. Photo: Yvonne (a FISH Food Bank volunteer)

My position in the garden was that of a garden manager. I found it enjoyable working with
the plants and soils as well as background systems and structures. I have years of experience in
vegetable farming and brought new ideas with a production mindset into the garden. This was a
fun challenge stepping into the gardening world and learning how to interact with vegetable
production in a more lowkey environment where community is really one of the main
components.

I have not fully comprehended the extent of this internship’s value. There were so many
things that I got to do and take part in including public speaking, infographics, creating systems,
building relationships and developing better intergenerational communication skills, working
with youth, grant writing knowledge, volunteer management, garden management and more.
When I went back to school, I had my eyes and heart set on the NRCS. That dream was derailed
this winter and since then I have been reassessing what I value in a future career. I went back to
school with the core mission to help rural farmers and communities.

Through the grant writing courses and discussions with a mentor I have seen the value in
those skills and the foundations that fund farmers and rural community projects. While I still have
interest in working in soil conservation, my interest is peaked and I wonder if a career working for
an organization or foundation that focuses on funding rural communities. While I love being
outside and working with plants and soils, I do think that my experience here has shown me that
I could take my career in many different directions. I have become increasingly more confident in
my right to guide my own days. I have invested my time in the things that benefit me and benefit
the garden. I have also become more confident in knowing what workload is manageable for me
and when to say no to extra tasks and projects while still finding a way to delegate the tasks so
that they get done.

Hi again! My name is Savannah Barron, and this summer I had the pleasure of working as an
intern at Oregon State University Extension Service in Columbia County. During my last legs of
this internship, I have taken on many different projects. One of the largest—briefly mentioned in
my last blog—is the community garden at Lewis and Clarke Elementary School. It had been left
mostly to itself for about a year, so it was in dire need of a good weeding and watering. The
garden itself consists of four wooden plant beds and four metal ones, with previously planted
garlic and onions, as well as a fairly large native plant bed. Weeding out thistle and older plants
was a fun challenge, but planting some seeds in the hope that they would be ready in the fall for
the kids to help harvest was probably my favorite part. Currently, the radishes I planted have
taken off, while the strawberries, cucumbers and various herbs are a bit slower. I’m so excited
to see what the school ends up doing with the garden, and grateful that I could get it into a more
manageable condition for them.

OSU Extension intern, Savannah Barron, and Master Gardeners at Scappoose Farmers Market. Photo: Cassie Hall

I have continued with the Columbia County needs assessment, through both calling farmers and
tabling at events like the Clatskanie Garlic and Pollinator Festival, as well as farmers’ markets—
no matter how hot it may be. I have to say the people I’ve been talking to just have so much
passion for not only their farms and gardens, but for supporting the entire community of
Columbia County. Everyone’s very much invested in growing and changing as a collective, and
it’s been an honor being able to give them a bit of a voice in how they want to do that. Another
really fun bit of programming I’ve been able to do is going on site visits with Janhvi Pandey, who
takes care of our Master Gardener and Small Farms programs. These visits gave me hands-on
experience in what discussions occur about land use, plant diagnostics and even watershed-
based information in people’s day-to-day lives.

Overall, my time at Columbia County Extension has been very engaging. I feel as though I’ve
learned a lot, not just about the programs and events that Extension helps make happen, but
also about the community I live in. The diversity and dedication of the people I have met are
truly amazing things to witness. I am so very grateful for the opportunities that have been
presented to me and for the wonderful people in the Columbia County Extension office who
have helped guide me in this journey. I cannot wait to see how this experience will shape me as
I go on to newer things.

Hello again!
I’m Taiva Steed, and this summer has been busy and exciting. It’s hard to believe it’s already
coming to an end!

Some of my favorite moments this summer came from working at farmers’ markets, where we
offered free nitrate screenings and shared resources about wells, septic systems and
groundwater. Each market was different and came with its own obstacles and highlights.
Tangent was full of energy, with live music, NASCARs and the excitement of a brand-new
market. However, not every day went exactly as planned. In Coburg, we showed up on the
wrong day, and in Cottage Grove, our canopy broke on a hot morning. But facing those
challenges helped show me how important the work we’re doing really is! Not only did I see
community members stepping in to help make these opportunities happen, but I also saw
people go out of their way to learn about their health, even when we did not make it the
easiest. Seeing these efforts from strangers was one of the most rewarding aspects of the
internship!

Another highlight from this summer was going on a septic systems field trip in Lincoln County. It
was interesting to see the more technical, hands-on side of the work I’ve been talking about
with community members all summer. We also had the chance to get some good quality time
with the team and be by the beach!

I also had the chance to explore other parts of Oregon State University Extension. Having
worked on a farm before, visiting the North Willamette Research and Extension Center had me
feeling close to my roots. We went to a Blueberry Field Day and their Open House. These were
other standout moments because I got to meet new people within Oregon State University
Extension and learn how different programs reach out to their community. We even managed
to squeeze in a few nitrate tests there, too.

This internship has been full of learning, problem-solving and connecting with communities;
and I’m grateful for every moment.

Hello!

My name is Taiva Steed, and I’m heading into my third year as a natural resources
student with an emphasis in communications and conflict resolution at Oregon State University. I
am originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, but Oregon won me over with its mountains,
oceans and huge trees!

Taiva Steed working at the Brownsville Farmers Market. Photo: Jessalyn Horton

In the future, I hope to work as an environmental mediator, someone who helps people
come together to solve environmental and social challenges. I’m particularly interested in
working internationally and for people’s voices that are often underrepresented in these
conversations. This is why working for OSU Extension is perfect for me because it allows me to
connect with different communities and learning from people with all kinds of perspectives.

This is my first summer as an intern for OSU Extension, and I am working for the
Groundwater Protection Program out of Benton County. So far, I have been traveling to farmers
markets across Oregon, offering free nitrate screenings for well water and sharing educational
materials to community members about healthy drinking water, wells and septic systems. It has
been such a fun way to spend time outdoors, meeting new people and learning more about
Oregon! I have only been to a handful of events so far, but I already feel how meaningful this
work is, and how much I still have to learn.

When I am not working at a screening clinic, I am helping plan future events. This
includes figuring out where we will go next, making social media posts and designing postcards
and flyers to help advertise these events. I also spend time in the office learning about all things
groundwater, wells and septic systems. Coming from a city background, most of this is brand
new to me, and it has broadened my scope of the different ways people live and how those
differences can impact someone’s health and daily concerns.

I’m excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to explore what OSU Extension has to offer. I
have plans to explore the other OSU Extension programs like Small Farms and Master
Gardeners. I’m looking forward to more farmers markets, more community conversations and
continuing to learn why it’s important to protect our water!

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!

Hi, my name is Ashton Rask, and I am excited to introduce myself and be a part of the
OSU Extension services internship program. I am located in Columbia County, where I currently
reside. Though I am originally from the central valley of California, where agricultural roots run
deep. I have always been involved in some form of agriculture; I am a huge advocate for
agricultural education and take pride in being a part of a larger community. I was an active
member of 4H and FFA throughout my youth. I am entering my last year at Colorado State
University online, finishing my bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business. From here I hope to
continue to be an advocate for agriculture and move forward in a career that is rewarding and
impactful.

Garden sign displaying the Luffa in Columbia County’s demo garden. Photo: Ashton Rask

As I enter the 6th week of my internship here at OSU Extension, I have experienced a
number of exciting events. Including WIC/Snap-ED programming, Master Gardener events
along with viewing and lending a hand in our community & demo gardens. One of my recent
projects has been creating new signs to label our demo garden beds. This is a project that we
wanted to get done before our county fair, which is a goal we accomplished. I also had the
opportunity to sneak out of the office and get my hands dirty doing some weeding in our
experimental gardens located at the demo garden here in St. Helens.

I saw a need for signs to be made and placed in our demo garden. With the help of both
our agriculture Extension agent, Janhvi Pandey and A few of our master gardeners, who were
so kind to help me through this process, I was able to head out to the demo garden and learn
about all the things we are growing and showcasing. Our demo garden is flourishing, so having
proper signage to address people’s questions and celebrate the hard work of our community
members was important! Our demo garden has been a joy to work in over the past few weeks.
Watching all our unique plants and garden beds bloom and start to produce fruit has been
exciting. I am fortunate enough to be a small piece of this bigger puzzle and cannot wait to see
how our community members react throughout the fair and its showcasing.

These signs highlighted companion planting, our pollinator garden and our three sisters’
garden bed. Along with a really unique plant that has been introduced this year by a master
gardener, the Lofa plant! The Luffa plant is edible, but we often see it used in its sponge form!
Some signs needed to be created from scratch, whereas some just needed an updated look. I
spent about a week and a half creating these, printing and laminating them to help limit some
of the exposure from the elements, to hopefully make them last a while. From there I was able
to go out and place them on each plaque.

My name is Rachel Fuller, and I am an intern for the Oregon State University Extension Service
in Hood River County. This is my first time working with Extension, and my three weeks here
have already been very impactful. I am a senior at OSU, studying crop and soil science. Prior to
going to university, my background was primarily in small scale vegetable farms with a focus on
rural communities.

Rachel Fuller stands proudly in front of the FISH Food Bank Garden in Hood River County. Photo: Megan Wickersham

Through OSU Extension, I have been working at the FISH Food Bank Garden. The garden
produces vegetables that go straight to the food bank, providing the community with hyper-
local produce. The garden also serves as a classroom for groups of kids to learn about the
garden ecosystem.

In the garden I oversee the irrigation systems, plant health, harvesting, seeding/transplanting,
pest management, nutrient management and weekly flow of volunteers. I primarily work with
Master Gardener volunteers. They are a lovely bunch of people with a variety of passions,
knowledge and interests that I have learned a lot from already.

When I’m not in the garden, I have been working on projects in the Extension Office. I have
taken a grant writing class and am preparing to take the second course next week. After I have
completed this, my goal is to write a grant to create a funded Garden Manager position. In
addition, I have made a binder of garden lesson plans, created a record keeping system for the
garden and worked on systems to streamline the productivity of the garden.

The three weeks that I have been here have gone by so quickly and have been very enjoyable.
I’m excited for what the rest of the summer has in store!

Hello! My name is Aspen Bowling, and I’m currently serving as an intern with the Oregon State
University Extension Service Clatsop County, located in Astoria. This is my first year as an
Extension intern, and it’s already been an incredible opportunity to gain hands-on experience
that’s shaping my understanding of community-based agriculture and outreach. I just completed
my sophomore year at Oregon State University, where I’m majoring in agricultural science with
a minor in agricultural and natural resources communications. Agriculture has always been a big
part of my life as I grew up in California’s Central Valley, where I was actively involved in both 4-
H and FFA. Those early experiences helped spark my passion for ag education and community
engagement.

Aspen Bowling, an intern in Clatsop County, manages the Food Hero information table at a Mobile Produce Pantry event. Photo: Emily Reilly

Now wrapping up my third week with the Extension Service, I’ve had the chance to work
alongside our Small Farms and Master Gardener program coordinator, as well as our Family
and Community Health and SNAP-Ed coordinator. From checking cover crops and collecting
data to supporting mobile food banks, every day brings something new and meaningful.

One highlight so far has been participating in the Mobile Produce Pantry here in Clatsop
County. The local food bank packs up fresh produce and travels to different communities across
the county, distributing food at no cost to residents. At these events, I set up a Food Hero
information table where I share recipes, nutrition tips and quick facts about the produce being
distributed. We also prepare and offer samples of a featured Food Hero recipe, showing
community members simple, healthy ways to use the food they receive. It feels rewarding to see
how happy people get over their free fresh produce.

One of the more exciting projects I’ve been involved with is our cover crop data collection, which
supports local farmers in Clatsop County. Cover crops are important tools for improving soil
health, reducing erosion and managing pests and weeds, but farmers need localized data to
know what works best in our region. This data isn’t just for research but, it will be used to
develop practical, region-specific recommendations for local producers. We use this information
to organize farmer workshops and field days, where we can share results, demonstrate crop
varieties in action and offer guidance on how to integrate them.

This internship has already given me so many valuable experiences, and I’m looking forward to
what’s still to come. I’m proud to be a part of the OSU Extension team and excited to continue
supporting our local farmers and families!

My name is Jessalyn, and I am an Oregon State University Extension Service Groundwater
Protection intern based in Benton County. I am currently working on my second bachelor’s
degree from Oregon State University, double majoring in soil science and sustainability. I’m
excited to spend my summer engaging with local communities and learning more about
groundwater and public health. I spent the past decade moving around the United States while I
was in the Air Force and am now enjoying being back in Oregon, close to where I grew up in
McMinnville.

Jessalyn Horton at the Sweet Home Farmer’s Market. Photo: Jessalyn Horton

I first got an idea of the role Extension plays in my Soil 101 class this past fall, and thought it
sounded like an incredible community resource. I’ve got some teaching experience from my
military career, and I’m really interested in the intersection of soil and water. Working with
Chrissy Lucas-Woodruff, my supervisor here in charge of outreach, is something I knew I wanted
to do after she came to speak to a different class I took this past winter, on environmental and
agricultural predicaments. I’m very excited to be building on the knowledge I’ve gained during
my studies so far through water testing and education.

I’m less than a week into this internship, but I’ve already had an opportunity to test water
samples from local well owners for nitrates at the Sweet Home farmer’s market. I had a great
time with Chrissy and my fellow new intern, Taiva — learning the ropes, engaging with the
public on well and septic maintenance and talking about nitrates and arsenic. We spent the rest
of our time during the first week learning about groundwater, wells, septic systems and
common contaminants. We also got to put together our own lab kits and prepare the gear we’ll
use at other events all summer long, where I’m looking forward to lots more learning and
engaging conversation.

OSU Extension Internship Program

Category Archives: Ag and Natural Resources

OSU Extension intern studies agritourism’s role in local communities

OSU Extension intern focuses on growing- in more ways than one

OSU Extension intern cultivates gardens-and community insight-in Columbia County

OSU Extension intern sees the impact in imperfect days

OSU Extension intern builds a path toward environmental mediation through local action

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

OSU Extension intern enhances demo garden with educational signage

OSU Extension intern is rooted in service and growing in knowledge

OSU Extension intern connects passion for ag with community impact

OSU Extension intern returns to Oregon with a passion for natural resources

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