Ag and Natural Resources « OSU Extension Internship Program

Hey everyone! If you don’t remember me from my last blog post, my name is Shylee Davis, and I am interning with OSU Extension in Harney County. Since my last blog post, a lot has happened! One of the biggest things was our day camp. This year, our day camp was called Dirt to Dinner, where kids ages 5 to 11 were taught where their food comes from and how it gets from the farm to their plate.

Shylee smiles with her steer that she will be showing at the 2026 Harney County Fair in September. Photo: Nikylee Davis

We kicked off the camp by bringing in local producers from the farmer’s market. They explained where and how the items sold at a farmer’s market are produced and what kinds of products you can find there. The kids then learned about chickens and goats from another local producer, including the different breeds that are raised for meat and may eventually end up on their dinner plate.

The next part of our Dirt to Dinner journey focused on the kids learning about growing plants. We had an agriculture teacher come in and teach them about germination and how to properly plant seeds. The kids were able to pot peas and marigolds to take home with them. After that, they learned about the ruminant stomach from our very own Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center. They brought in a cannulated steer, which has an opening into its rumen that allows people to observe what cattle eat and how their food is digested. The kids were able to safely put their hands into the rumen and feel what the steer had been eating. It was definitely an experience they will remember!

The bee display from the Harney County Dirt to Dinner day camp. Photo: Shylee Davis

On the third day, we had a local honeybee producer come in and teach the kids about bees and microgreens. She brought a special display that allowed the kids to see the bees up close without being stung. The kids observed many interesting things, from spotting drone bees, which are male bees, to even watching a baby bee hatch. After learning about bees, the kids got to start their own microgreens and learned what microgreens are and how they are grown. Later that day, our Junior Leaders (members of a 4-H club focused on leadership) each gave an educational presentation to the kids on a topic of their choosing. It was great to see them take what they have learned through 4-H and share their knowledge with younger kids.

We finished our week with Autumn, our 4-H Coordinator, teaching the kids about different types of soil and showing them how to ribbon soil to determine its texture. Later, we had someone bring in a milking sheep, allowing the kids to try milking and learn more about where milk comes from. At the same time, Boer goats made an appearance to teach the campers about their purpose in agriculture. We ended the camp with frozen yogurt and a water fight, which was a pretty great way to finish four busy days of learning!

After day camp, I was busy with fair preparations, including creating social media posts and helping put together our new fair office. Unfortunately, the fires then affected my family and our cattle, which meant that things had to slow down for a little while. I am now back in the office and right back to working on preparations for our County Fair, which will be held September 8th–12th.

Looking back on my internship, I have learned so much about what goes on behind the scenes to make programs and events happen. From working with kids at day camp to helping prepare for the county fair, I have been able to experience many different sides of Extension and agriculture. I am grateful for all of the opportunities I have had and for everyone who has helped make this internship such a great experience. Thank you for following along with me through my internship! Until next time!

Hi again! I’m Olivia, and things have really begun to ramp up here at the OSU Extension office in Klamath County since my last post! I mentioned the “Activity Kit Day” I will be hosting; well, it is only in a few days! Along with this date closing in, I am adding the finishing touches to the activity kits I have been creating throughout my internship. I cannot wait to see my hard work come to fruition! I have had a wonderful time working with OSU Extension this summer and I am honestly sad to have to say goodbye. I have got to learn and do so many amazing things. Just a few examples being: catching and examining bugs, assisting during classes, helping at our local arboretum, working with Master Gardeners at our farmers’ market and tabling at a local farm for our annual small farm tour. My favorite thing to do was examine bugs under the microscope. I even made an awesome discovery! The larvae I examined was that of the European Elm Flea Weevil and as I was observing, I found a parasitic wasp using the weevils as a host. Nicole and I had not seen this before, so it was amazing to see it firsthand!

Olivia’s Native Plant ID Activity Kit she created. Photo: Olivia Wilde

Olivia examines a parasitic wasp under the microscope. Photo: Olivia Wilde

Although I have been having a great time working for OSU Extension, that doesn’t mean I haven’t struggled during some points. This was the first job I have worked where I am almost completely independent. At times it has been somewhat difficult knowing where my priorities lie, especially with the creation of the new kits. However, Nicole did a great job checking in and creating a welcoming atmosphere for me to ask questions and get help when needed. I have learned that even when working independently, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to ask questions or look for guidance, in fact you should do those things. Independence doesn’t mean you’re alone! I am sure the skills I have learned during this internship will follow me in my future professions and I could not be more grateful for this wonderful opportunity!

– Olivia Wilde, Klamath County Intern

Hi! I’m Natasha Lane, the Summer Intern for OSU Extension in Union County! As an incoming sophomore studying plant science-crop science and sustainable food & bioenergy-crop production with a minor in precision agriculture & land management systems, I aim to become the owner/operator of the diversified crop farm that I grew up on here in Union County. Following my past experience as a 4-Her, especially as a 4-H Ambassador, I had been exposed to Extension and decided to pursue this internship with the intent of being able to give back to 4-H and learn about the behind-the-scenes of Extension as well as its different branches.

OSU Extension intern, Natasha Lane, driving the Alfalfa Omega SP-SW 125 during the forage trails. Photo: Darrin Walenta

In June, I was able to assist with the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show, which encompasses multiple counties and allowed me to work and connect with the other 4-H program coordinators across Oregon. Some of my responsibilities during the Stock Show included managing the 4-H office window, assisting the photographer during market shows, preparing for the shows and awards ceremony, running errands, and staffing the OSU Extension office.

I also helped our Agronomist and Assistant Professor of Practice with forage trials— collecting dry and wet samples of the forage as well as being able to drive the Alfalfa Omega SP-SW 125. I also helped with the annual Union County Crop Tour, during which I managed bus attendance. On the tour, the public and I were driven around the county and stopped at three diverse locations where we learned about different agricultural operations near us. I enjoyed being a part of the Crop Tour and seeing how it helped bridge the gap between producers and consumers.

Natasha judging the Pee Wee swine showmanship contest during the Union County Fair. Photo: Carrie Lane

The last few events that I was able to be a part of, Tri-County 4-H Camp and Union County Fair, were some of my favorites. At camp I assisted with check-ins, chaperoned a trip to the water park, and helped co-teach a workshop on ice cream making. I love working with kids and seeing the campers have a great time was truly a rewarding experience. Similarly, I was able to get involved with helping 4-H youth at the fair from clerking the dog show to clerking the livestock shows. It really became a full-circle moment for me as I was also able to act as a judge for the All-Around Showman and Pee Wee Show for swine, something I competed in when I was a 4-Her!

As my summer ends, I have been able to reflect on all the valuable lessons and skills being an intern has taught me that goes beyond just Extension. Volunteers are truly the backbone of so many of our youth programs and it truly is a thankless job. I worked my hardest to be an asset to them because they deserve all thanks and praise for making 4-H such a successful program. Additionally, I have been exposed to research projects that I didn’t know existed and I can’t wait to return to school with a revamped passion for learning and discovery. Lastly, all the men and women I have worked with this summer are such impressive people and being allowed to be a part of their team has truly been something special, so I would like to thank Karie Kelley, Honour Bowen, Shelby Benson, Darrin Walenta and Grace Dudek for letting me be a part of their whirlwind of a summer!

Hello! My name is Makaela Carter, and I am very excited to be working with the Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service in Douglas County as a 4-H intern this summer. I was born and raised in Douglas County, so I am grateful for the opportunity to work within my home community. I graduated from OSU this spring with a bachelor of science in agricultural sciences and a minor in agricultural and food business management. I will be returning to OSU this fall to pursue a master of science in agricultural education, with the goal of becoming a high school agriculture science teacher.

Makaela Carter smiles for a grad photo taken outside of the Memorial Union on OSU’s campus this past spring. Photo: Jacob McGhehey

I am extremely passionate about teaching others about the agriculture industry and helping students develop leadership skills early on. I hope to give students the resources they need to be successful in life after high school. Because I care deeply about education, I am excited to learn more about different types of educational outreach during my internship with OSU Extension this summer. I hope this experience will broaden my perspective on education and help me become a stronger educator in the future.

My involvement with 4-H began when I was 11 years old through raising and showing hogs at the Douglas County Fair. While my knowledge of OSU Extension as a whole has been limited, I am eager to expand my understanding throughout this internship. My main tasks this summer will be assisting with preparations leading up to the Douglas County Fair and helping out behind-the-scenes to ensure that it is a successful week for all 4-H members. I am looking forward to being a part of such an important event in the community!

Since beginning this internship a few weeks ago, 4-H activities have been in full swing. I helped prepare and facilitate our county’s Cloverbud 4-H Camp, where we offered many engaging activities for members. Kids created bug hotels, made bird feeders, performed science experiments, potted flowers and even put together a paper quilt that will be displayed at the fair this August along with the other 4-H static exhibits.

These three weeks have flown by and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer has in store!

Douglas County intern, Makaela Carter, smiles for the camera at the end of the 4-H Cloverbud Camp alongside the 4-Hers, volunteers and other OSU intern (Amaya Slay); posing with the paper quilt that the Cloverbuds created. Photo: Katie Baxter

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!

OSU Extension Internship Program

Category Archives: Ag and Natural Resources

OSU Extension intern recaps a busy summer of youth development and fair preparation

OSU Extension intern celebrates new discoveries and project milestones

OSU Extension intern explores a summer of crops, camps and the county fair

OSU Extension intern supports education in the local community

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

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