Clatsop County « OSU Extension Internship Program

Hello everyone! It’s Aspen again! As I continue through my internship with Clatsop County Extension, I have had the opportunity to support a variety of programs and projects throughout the county. One of the things I have enjoyed most about this internship is that no two weeks look exactly the same. I have been able to help with community programming, create communication and outreach materials and participate in hands-on projects. Each experience has given me a better understanding of the many ways Extension connects with and supports the community.

Aspen and other community volunteers after the first KMUN weed removal workday. Photo: Mari Begeron

One project that has stood out to me so far has been the KMUN weed removal project. This was a very hands-on experience and ended up being a big learning moment for me. We worked with community members and Extension staff to remove invasive Himalayan blackberry and English ivy from the area around KMUN. Throughout the project, we held several community workdays and were able to see the area improve each time we worked on it.

Wiley, Makena and Aspen at the Clatsop County Fair helping with the Master Gardener tabling booth. Photo: Wiley Thompson

What I found especially rewarding was seeing how much can be accomplished when people come together. In total, 21 volunteers and four employees contributed 82 person hours to the project. We also removed eight heaping pickup truck loads of plant debris. Seeing the physical results of everyone’s work made the project feel especially meaningful. The KMUN project also taught me that weed removal is more than just pulling plants out of the ground. I learned that invasive weed management requires planning, follow-up and long-term maintenance. This helped me better understand how Extension education can connect to real-world natural resource management.

Another experience I have really enjoyed was helping at the Clatsop County Fair. This experience felt especially full circle for me because I grew up participating in 4-H. When I was younger, I remember going to fairs and participating in 4-H activities. Now, getting to be on the other side of the fair and help support Extension programs has been a special experience. It has allowed me to see how much work goes into creating the same opportunities I enjoyed growing up.

Along with these experiences, I have also supported other Extension programs through outreach, communications, community programming and creating educational materials. Being involved in different programs has shown me just how broad Extension work really is. One of my biggest takeaways so far is the importance of being willing to try new things. From pulling invasive weeds to helping at the county fair, every experience has taught me something different. I am looking forward to continuing to support programs, meet new people and learn even more throughout the final days of my internship. I am leaving this internship feeling very thankful for the experience this program has given me in the past two summers.

Hello everyone! I have had a great summer so far interning in the Clatsop County Extension office and I want to share a little bit about what I have been doing so far. Since I don’t just focus on one program, there are always a variety of activities and projects that I get to be a part of on any given week. This may be my favorite part of my summer. Every week is different and there is always something new to experience or learn. That being said, the last few weeks of my internship will have a main focus: trees.

Makena taking photos of trees for a website and database of notable trees in Astoria. Photo: Aspen Bowling

One event surrounding this topic happens to fall on my last day, so I’m happy I get to participate before I leave; it will be a great way to cap off an already great internship. The event is an urban tree walk around downtown Astoria with an urban forestry specialist. We will stop and learn about some of the historically important and interesting trees in the area as we go along. As someone who studies wood science and has done projects on urban wood and trees in general, I am excited to learn from an urban forester, and maybe even share some of my knowledge with attendees as well. It should be a very fun event, and I am excited that I get to be a part of it.

In conjunction with the event, I have been working to put together a database, website and information handouts for a list of notable trees in Astoria. One of the Master Gardener volunteers has been compiling the list, and I am making it accessible to the public. There are some very interesting trees around Astoria, and it has been so fun to visit them, write about them, and take their pictures to add to the website. It is a big project, but it has been a fun project, and I am excited to see the end result. I hope it can become a great resource in the future that gives people the chance to explore the trees of Astoria and learn more about the forest in their backyard.

Hi there everyone! My name is Makena Oglesby, and I am interning at the Clatsop County OSU Extension office this summer. I’ve had fun the first few weeks, and I’m excited to share my experiences with you through these blog posts over the summer!

Makena Oglesby poses with a display of some of her woodworking projects, including fish shaped cutting boards, coasters and magnets. Photo: Monique Council

During the school year, I study wood innovation for sustainability and have a focus on art & design at Oregon State University (this is a fancy way to say that I do woodworking). My major focuses a lot on wood science which I then get to apply to woodworking projects, both functional and artistic pieces. My favorite combination is when I get to make something beautiful or fun that is still fully functional, which you can see some examples of in the photo above. I am still exploring what I want to do once I graduate (at the end of fall term!) but I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far in the OSU Extension office, and before that for about 4 years in Special Events for the Parks and Recreation Department in Hillsboro, Oregon. The work I did there is very similar to what I get to do this summer, and I have always enjoyed it so I could see myself continuing a career in the Extension Service realm after graduation (with perhaps some woodworking thrown in for fun).

I am typically located in Hillsboro, but this summer I have the opportunity to stay with my great grandmother as I work at the OSU Extension office in Astoria. I am excited to spend time with her as I work at the office and around the county this summer. As I am an intern under the Master Food Preservers coordinator at the Clatsop County OSU Extension office, I do a lot of work with all of the programs that we house including the Master Gardeners and Small Farms, 4-H and Oregon Sea Grant programs.

One thing I have already had a lot of fun doing is helping out at Seafood Tours on docks along the Oregon coast. The tours are free and open to the public and help teach people about Oregon ports, the daily lives of fisherman and how to buy seafood directly off of fishing vessels. It has been so interesting to listen to the tours as I help put them on, and make them enjoyable and memorable for the attendees. I may not be studying marine life, but it is a hobby of mine and something I love to learn about!

I am looking forward to the rest of my summer with everyone at the OSU Extension office in Astoria, and I am so excited to be involved in all of the events and programing we have planned!

More of Makena’s creative masterpieces: Makena’s Portfolio

Hello! My name is Aspen Bowling, and I am currently in week five of my summer internship with the OSU Extension Service in Clatsop County. This fall, I will be entering my fourth year at Oregon State University, where I am pursuing a degree in agricultural science with a minor in agricultural and natural resource communications. This is my second summer interning with OSU Extension, and returning has given me the opportunity to continue building on the experiences and skills I gained last year.

Aspen holds up an Oregon State University pennant; Go Beavs! Photo: Cayden Pricolo

One of the most valuable parts of this internship has been seeing the broad scope of OSU Extension and learning how many different programs work together to serve our communities. Before joining OSU Extension, I knew very little about everything it offered. Over the past two summers, I have had the opportunity to work with programs such as 4-H Youth Development, Master Gardener, Small Farms and Oregon Sea Grant. Each program has a unique mission, but they all share the common goal of providing research– based education and resources that improve the lives of Oregonians.

Throughout the internship, I have been able to take part in many hands– on experiences that have helped me better understand OSU Extension’s impact. I have participated in dock walks with Oregon Sea Grant, where we educated the public about seafood and commercial fishing industries. I have been able to represent Extension at local farmers’ markets, helping answer questions about soil and connect community members with available programs and resources. I have also volunteered at local food pantries through the Family and Community Health program, where we helped distribute healthy food information and educational materials to families. I have also had the opportunity to help with several youth activities through 4-H, which has been one of my favorite parts of the summer.

Aspen asks questions to a cloverbud participant regarding her home economics project. Photo: Alisabeth Ogier

One of the highlights of my internship so far was serving as a judge for the 4-H Home Economics Skills Contest. It was inspiring to watch the youth demonstrate their knowledge, creativity and confidence while showcasing the skills they have developed through 4-H. Seeing the pride they took in their work reminded me of the positive impact Extension programs have on young people and how these experiences help build lifelong skills. It was rewarding to play a small role in encouraging and recognizing their hard work.

Returning for a second summer has also allowed me to strengthen my skills in social media management, graphic design, photography, educational outreach and communication. As I prepare to enter my fourth year of college, this internship has reinforced my passion for agriculture, communications and community education. It has shown me how OSU Extension connects university research with local communities while creating opportunities for people of all ages to learn and grow. I am grateful to continue learning from the dedicated faculty, staff, volunteers and community partners in Clatsop County, and I look forward to making the most of the rest of my internship.

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.

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!

Seven kids in artist smocks work at a long table covered in paper. — Kids get messy with activities at 4-H STEAM summer camp.
Photo credit: Sofie Carlson

Hi again, it’s Sofie Carlson, welcome back to my blog! I am in the final week of my incredible experience as the natural resources intern at Lincoln County Extension. Let me give you an update on the projects I’ve been working on this summer:

I continued composing the monthly newsletters that my supervisor, Evie Smith, sends out: Small Farms TLC Newsletter, which provides relevant information for small farms and ranches in Tillamook, Lincoln and Clatsop counties; and LC Master Gardener’s Newsletter, which contains information and expertise to help our Master Gardeners (and any other readers) meet local challenges. In total, I helped put out six newsletters!
I finished redesigning an updated brochure for Lincoln County Local Foods that will deliver information on all of the producers in Lincoln County conducting farm direct sales at the four local farmers markets in our county: what they sell, how to contact them and when the markets are I am really proud of the final version and can’t wait to see the printed copies make their way into the community. I joined in on one more Cooking Matters Tour at the Newport Farmers Market, with our FCH/SNAP-Ed Program Coordinator, Beatriz Botello, and Nutrition Education Program Assistant Jennifer Pettit. I hope that the brochure I created can draw more attention to Lincoln County’s farmers markets and the valuable tour that Beatriz and Jennifer give.
I collected more blueberries and blackberries at Gibson Farms! I ended up completing seven collections at six different sites within the blueberry farm, contributing data for a larger ongoing research project that monitors a pest called spotted wing
I did my last round of maintenance on a project called Juntos en el Jardin, which is a community garden located at the Newport This has been rewarding work and I am glad to have been involved in making the garden a more accessible space. I also joined Sea Grant marine fisheries educator Angee Doerr for four Fridays, with her Shop at the Dock program. I greeted and organized the tour groups for the guides to then teach families about Newport’s commercial fisheries through a tour of the port.
Lastly, I attended the Kids’ Garden Fair at the Lincoln City Demonstration Garden and assisted 4-H Youth Development Program Leader Shelley Spangler with one of her summer camps. These two experiences helped solidify my love for working with
youth and being outside learning about the natural world.

Picture of a dock in Oregon, with a sign over a walkway that says Port of Newport, Dock 5. — Shop at the Dock gives tours of the fishing boats, gear, and fisheries associated with Port Dock 5.
Photo credit: Sofie Carlson

As my time in Oregon comes to a close, at least for the time being, and I reflect on my summer, I want to give a huge thanks to my supervisor, Evie Smith, for her support and guidance. I have absolutely loved working with her and I could not have asked for a better role model to mentor me in this position. I would also like to thank all of the people I worked with at the Lincoln County Extension office; it was an amazing work environment, and I will miss working there! Lastly, I want to thank my aunt, Emily Blume, for telling me about this opportunity and letting me live with her and her family for the past two months in this beautiful state.

I will soon be heading back home to Vermont, where I will be starting a new job as a Naturalist Educator at North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier. I am excited to begin the next chapter of my life, teaching environmental education to youth in my home state.

Hi, my name is Sofie Carlson, and welcome to my first blog post! I grew up in Vermont and went to school at St. Lawrence University in upstate New York. I graduated this past May with a degree in environmental studies and economics and now I am spending the summer as the natural resources intern for the Lincoln County Extension office. This is just the second time I have ever been out West and I am really enjoying my time here.

A woman stands in a grassy area, holding a bag and a box. — At Gibson Farms in Siletz, collecting blueberries and blackberries to be sent to the lab in Corvallis for testing.
Photo credit: Sofie Carlson

It is now Week 5 of my internship, so I am about halfway through – time is flying. As the natural resources intern, I have mainly been working with my supervisor, Evie Smith, the Small Farms and Master Gardener coordinator in Lincoln County. However, I am working in several other branches of Extension, including Sea Grant, SNAP-Ed, Agriculture and 4-H.

Here are some of the projects I am in the midst of:

– I am assisting in the composition of the monthly newsletters that Evie sends out: Small Farms TLC Newsletter, which provides relevant information for small farms and ranches in Tillamook, Lincoln and Clatsop counties, and LC Master Gardener’s Newsletter, which contains information and expertise to help our Master Gardeners (and any other readers) meet local challenges. I have never put together a newsletter before, so it has definitely been a learning process, but luckily, I have a great mentor to show me the ropes.

– I am in the process of redesigning and distributing an updated brochure for Lincoln County Local Foods that will deliver information on all of the producers in Lincoln County that are doing farm direct sales. Farm direct sales are when the farmers sell directly to you, without a middleman, by methods such as farm stands, CSAs, and dock sales. The brochure lists which farms sell at the four local farmers markets in our county, what they sell, how to contact them and when the markets are held. Last weekend I joined our FCH/SNAP-Ed Program Coordinator, Beatriz Botello, in her Cooking Matters Tour at the Newport Farmers Market, which inform people how they can use their SNAP benefits at the farmers market. It was an educational opportunity for families to learn how to budget, compare prices and shop locally.

A woman in overalls rakes through a compost pile. — Juntos en el Jardín: Moving compost at the community garden.
Photo credit: Michael Christy

– I am collecting blueberries and blackberries at Gibson Farms as part of a larger ongoing research project that monitors a pest called spotted wing drosophila. This is a weekly task that I look forward to because I get to be outside, chat with Farmer Alan, and eat a ton of freshly picked blueberries.

– I am also assisting in the maintenance of a project called Juntos en el Jardin, which is a community garden located at the Newport Fairgrounds and this week I will be joining Angee Doerr, Sea Grant marine fisheries educator, to run her annual Shop at the Dock program, teaching families about Newport’s commercial fisheries through a tour of the port. This program is a unique opportunity to meet the fishermen and boats that we buy our seafood from. It will be running for five weeks on Fridays.

So far, this position has been valuable, rewarding and fun. It has been a great way for me to explore several future career paths while gaining new knowledge and experience. I have enjoyed working for Extension and feel very lucky to be living with family in Oregon. I am looking forward to continuing working on the projects I’ve started, making new connections, and taking advantage of my time here until I head back East. I am very thankful for this opportunity. Catch you on the next blog post!

Astoria-Megler Bridge. Photo by Luke Brockman.

Hello, readers! Luke Brockman here, and it’s now the middle of August. My position as an intern with Extension’s Forestry and Natural Resources Fire Program is soon coming to an end. Oregon’s fire season, however, is in full swing. Just about all of the Pacific Northwest is in historic drought conditions, and more than 18 wildfires are still burning in our state. Incredibly, and thanks to the collaborative efforts of so many people fighting to contain them, a few major fires including the Bootleg Fire in Southern Oregon, are close to 100% contained. Working for the Fire Program has been hugely informative for me, not only in my understanding of the work that goes into forest management and fire education but also by awakening me to the hugely diverse array of geographic areas that make up our state, each of which requires collaboration between many different agencies in order to properly manage.

Working for Extension has also been an amazing professional experience. I’ve learned more fully the importance of teamwork, communication, and creative problem solving, in a refreshingly professional setting. Something that surprised me about my supervisor (who holds the title Regional Fire Specialist for the Coast Range) was the spectrum of different groups he collaborates with, and his ability to lead and provide appropriate input no matter the situation. Much of the work of the regional fire specialists involves doing planning, meeting with other specialists and partners, and doing a ton of technical writing. In the classroom, doing such planning and collaborating (especially via Zoom) can feel sort of dull, when questions are posed and sit lingering in the air waiting to be answered.

My experiences this summer in the myriad of collaborative group settings allowed me to witness the ability that Extension professionals have to provide guidance, information, and problem-solving relative to their specialty areas. It was especially refreshing to see this sort of collaboration and problem-solving applied to a field with obvious, and growing importance and sensitivity: Oregon’s forests, and the people who inhabit the land and play important roles in the use of our natural resources.

What I wish for you all to know about Extension is that it’s really, truly, a resource for the benefit of your community. The people who inhabit the Extension office in your county are very knowledgeable and inspiring, and the work they’re doing behind the scenes is important and impactful. The challenges we face in our changing environment are vast and complicated, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my experience in Extension, it’s that there are so many people working on solutions, right here in our state!

Hello everybody, my name is Luke Brockman, and I’m humbled and excited to introduce myself as an intern this summer in the OSU Extension Service. I’ll be working under the supervision of Aaron Groth, Extension regional fire specialist for Clatsop and other northern counties in Oregon’s Coast Range. I’ll also be working alongside the rest of the team members in OSU’s Extension office here in Astoria.

Here’s a little bit about myself: I’m 23, and I’m a senior at OSU. My primary area of study is biocultural anthropology, with a bachelor’s in sustainability. I’m originally from Kodiak, Alaska – a large island in the Gulf of Alaska, situated due south of the opening of the Cook Inlet. My family moved to the small town of Triangle Lake, Oregon (about 50 miles southwest of Corvallis) when I was still an infant, but during the course of my childhood, I spent enough time visiting Kodiak to consider it home.

It’s late June, so normally I would typically be on a commercial salmon fishing boat somewhere around Kodiak Island, searching tirelessly for salmon returning to their streams to spawn and continue that amazing, cyclical spectacle of biology. This summer will be the first since I’ve graduated high school that I’ll be staying in Oregon instead, and I couldn’t be more excited to get to work with Aaron.

When Aaron is in the field doing community outreach, speaking at workshops and at meetings with stakeholders, I’ll be there too – shadowing him, meeting people, and taking notes in my journal. Already I’ve gained insight into both the career world at large and into the work of OSU Extension, as well as the Oregon community of forest owners and stewards. Although I’m not a student of Forestry and natural resources, I’m confident that the curriculum in both of my undergraduate fields of study will prove useful in assisting with the projects and concerns of the boards and individuals that Aaron and I will be interacting with this summer.

I think it’d be awesome to have the chance to write a newspaper article having to do with fire awareness and education, and the diversity of landowners and stakeholders in the Coast Range. I love both writing and doing field research and I’m particularly inspired by ethnography and analog photography (one of my main creative outlets). Prior to stumbling upon this internship opportunity, I knew very little of OSU Extension. I assumed that the office in Astoria was some sort of liaison for researchers working at OSU to access resources and an office space. Now that I know what OSU Extension really is, and what its goals and objectives are for our diverse Oregonian communities, I’m very honored to be part of an organization whose community-oriented philosophies align so closely with my broader ethical ideals as a person.

OSU Extension Internship Program

Category Archives: Clatsop County

OSU Extension intern sees teamwork blossom through project leadership in Clatsop County

OSU Extension intern branches out to celebrate Astoria’s trees for a perfect summer finale

OSU Extension intern brings creativity and curiosity to Clatsop County

OSU Extension intern connects passion for ag with community impact

Incredible experience as the natural resources intern

Exploring all that Extension has to offer

Extension is a collaborative, problem-solving resource that benefits the community

Trading salmon fishing in Alaska for a summer internship in Astoria

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