Master Gardener « OSU Extension Internship Program

Hey, my name is Symone and this summer I did an internship with Oregon State University Extension in Lincoln County! During my internship I worked primarily with Small Farms but was able to do a variety of things across different program areas. For example, I was able to do work in 4-H, Nutrition and Master Gardeners. In the beginning of my internship, I was hoping to improve my planning and management skills. I discovered I was using those skills throughout my internship which ended up coming in handy while planning my internship project. My project was a presentation on accessible gardening practices for Master Gardeners to be able to learn from the presentation and teach the information to others.

Symone Hildenbrand teaches adults in Lincoln County classroom. — Symone Hildenbrand teaches adults in Lincoln County.

Somethings that helped prepare me for my presentation were helping my supervisor (Evie Smith) set up before an event and attending Master Gardener meetings prior to me presenting. A struggle I faced was putting certain tasks before others and not balancing them out which caused me to feel under prepared when it came time to present which then taught me to do things from the get-go so you will overall feel more prepared and so you are not coming down to the wire. Something I had looked forward to earlier on in my internship was the partnership for the “Lincoln Land and Water Tour”. The goal of the tour is to be able to take people from our local community and people from other communities in Oregon on a tour that shows the agriculture, fishing industry, and forestry in Lincoln County. The main thing I was looking forward to was the fishing part of the tour where we got to tour Pacific Seafoods (a seafood processing plant) in Newport. It was interesting to see how they processed the food and prepared it for shipment. This summer internship position taught me a variety of important skills like what all goes into planning and setting up an event. A key takeaway I got from this experience that I will take with me was finding a good balance and sticking with it as it will help you out a lot overall and it will help things feel a lot more arranged rather than scattered.

I was very excited to start at the Oregon State University Extension office in Polk County, and that excitement has continued through the few months that I’ve worked here. I was excited for the chance to be creative, the chance to use the knowledge I had gained over the last year at Chemeketa Community College and excited to learn new things.

Matthew Mankins at a canning workshop. Photo: Brooke Edmunds

I had many great experiences this summer and learned a lot along the way. The main projects I worked on included: Creating a proposal for a garden to go behind the Dallas office, teaching a class on soils, working with the Master Gardeners at public events and at the Inspiration Garden and traveling to learn about various projects Extension is involved with.

I especially enjoyed the open house at the Polk County Extension office because I had the chance to hear more about the different projects that are being done. Plus, it was a pleasure to see such a supportive positive group of people.

One challenge I had was to do a soils class. I have done classes for children at summer camps, but never a class for adults and never over such a complex topic as soils. It was hard to determine how long it would take to cover the material while giving time for a break and questions or other unexpected things.

The class was on September 14, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Dallas office and we had over 15 people attend. We did a jar test for soil texture. I gave an overview of topics about soils and nutrients. I then talked about how to get a soil test and showed the results of a test I had done for the future office garden area. I then showed how to calculate the number of amendments needed for a soil test. Finally, I covered different types of amendments and their pros and cons. I think people of different knowledge levels were able to get something from the class.

My main takeaway from the class was to adjust the class for the general public. I created my class with Master Gardeners in mind. However, the general public doesn’t necessarily have the background knowledge to follow some information. In the future if I do any math or talk about pH, I will give more basic information to prepare the audience for these topics.

There were many important takeaways from this interesting experience. One is to just try doing something even if you aren’t exactly sure how to go about it. In a positive supportive work environment where people are allowed to learn and grow, the entire team is stronger as a result of this culture. This allows the organization to produce the best results. The support I felt from the office staff made trying things like teaching a class much easier. As I look for employment, I will look for a place that gives the type of support I felt at the Extension office in Polk County.

-Matthew Mankins

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!

My name is Madeline Breiling and I’m now in my last week of my OSU Extension summer internship in Umatilla County. This summer has gone by so quickly with so many learning opportunities and fun events. I can’t believe my internship is almost over. Throughout the summer, I have had the opportunity to plan and assist with many projects. I was able to continue many of the projects I started and enjoyed last year, as well as start many new and exciting projects for this summer.

Interns Madeline Breiling (left) and Ashley Treadwell (right) in Umatilla county at the Pendleton farmers market. Photo: Carolina Muniz

At the very beginning of my internship, I got to assist with Extension’s table at the Morrow County Children’s Fair in Boardman. We did a food sampling of two different recipes that are healthier alternatives to common afterschool snacks. We also helped children plant radish seeds to start their very own garden. This was a great opportunity to jump straight into community engagement in the first couple of days of my internship.

Throughout my internship, I have had the wonderful opportunity to assist with many classes being taught all over the county by the Umatilla County SNAP-Ed team. I got to assist with smoothie making and seed planting with the Head Start kids at the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. This was a very unique opportunity because this is the only event or class I’ve had the opportunity to do with preschool age children.

I also had the opportunity to assist with the Hydromania camp in Hermiston. Master Gardeners and researchers from the Extension office in Hermiston led an insect class. Then the SNAP-Ed team led a smoothie making class using the blender bike. This got the kids at the Hydromania camp very excited about healthy eating and physical activity.

Last summer, I handed out free food samples and educated the public about Food Hero at the Pendleton Farmers Market and the Milton-Freewater Farmers Market. This summer, I had the opportunity to expand that project by also handing out samples and educating the public about Food Hero at the Athena Farmers Market. I also got to assist with the Hermiston Farmers Market. I’ve always loved attending farmers markets and last summer I really enjoyed having a Food Hero table at the farmers market, so I am very excited I had the opportunity to continue and expand that project.

The project I am the proudest of is my work with St. Mary’s Outreach in Pendleton this summer. I got to hand out free food samples to everyone getting food from the food bank and educate them on Food Hero. I also gave the food bank many Food Hero resources to hand out to the public even when an OSU representative can’t be present. This included Food Hero tortilla recipes to tape to the bags of masa, Food Hero instructions for how to cook dried beans that are now included in every box of food the food bank hands out, and instructions for how to safely cook food in the microwave to give to members of the public who don’t have access to a stove or oven. I felt this project was very fulfilling because I felt that some of these community members would really benefit from having Food Hero resources. I also felt that my work has a more lasting impact because St. Mary’s Outreach continues to hand out the Food Hero resources I left with them to everyone who comes to get food.

Overall, I feel very proud of my work with OSU Extension this summer. I was able to take the lead on a variety of projects as well as assist team members with projects they were working on. I want to thank Shevon Hatcher for being the best person to share an office space with and for knowing the answer to any question you could think to ask, Carolina Muniz for supporting me in my projects and Karen Wagner for introducing new ideas to the Umatilla County SNAP-Ed team.

My name is Matthew Mankins, but please call me Matt. I am in week four at the Oregon State University Extension office in Polk County in Dallas. I am currently a horticulture student at Chemeketa Community College. I have a bachelor’s degree in anthropology with a studio art minor from Southern Oregon University. I have previous work experience working for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland, and as a CNA doing in-home care. In short, I have a broad field of experience. I am working to get an associate degree in horticulture so that I can work towards employment as a greenhouse or nursery manager. Once employed I plan to take advantage of Chemeketa’s bachelor’s in management program to move up into a managerial position.

Melissa Hand Master Gardener Volunteer in Polk County. Photo: Matthew Mankins

I chose to study horticulture because I wanted work that was hands on, mentally stimulating, and that benefited my local community. Although this is my first experience at an Extension office, I’ve come to love the camaraderie I’ve experienced working with the different groups who are a part of the Extension team. I try to save a few hours each week to work with the Master Gardeners at the Inspiration Garden in Independence. Not only do I like the opportunity to get my hands dirty, but what I’m gleaning from the wealth of knowledge and experience of the Master Gardeners, is invaluable. The Master gardeners have a life of gardening experience and I am so glad that they are able to pass that on to future generations.

In my horticultural studies I have taken a special interest in using organic methods to manage soils. I have always had an interest in biology and how we can work with biological systems rather than against them to grow plants in a sustainable way.

This is why one of the projects I’m developing is a class for the Master Gardener program about soils, why it is important to test the soil, and how to use a soil analysis to amend them. In addition to explaining the benefits of doing so organically.

My second project is to create a proposal for a Learning Garden in the lot behind the office. So far, I have drawn a map of the area and created a survey to incorporate the ideas of the groups who use the office into the proposal. These groups include: the Master Gardeners, 4H, SNAP-Ed program, and the office staff who all should have input on the plan. This project is perfect for a person who is new to the Extension system, because by interviewing these groups I am developing a strong understanding of the services that the Extension program provides to the community.

This summer I’m excited to develop my public communication skills, as well as my ability as an instructor. Whether I continue to work as an educator or not. These skills will help me to be a better leader in the work environment and in the community.

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.

A woman kneels in the grass to feed a black and white baby goat with a bottle. — Sophia Nowers feeding a two-day old baby goat on a recent farm tour. Photo credit: Teagan Moran

Hello, again. I’m Sophia Nowers, the summer intern for Oregon State University Extension Service’s Small Farms Program and Community Horticulture in Benton, Linn and Lane counties. It is hard to believe that I’m already in the last week of my internship. The past month has sped by in a blur of events and activities. I have tabled at the Benton County Fair, helped on Small Farms farm tours, gone to OSU field days, and worked with Master Gardeners to publicize some of their events and talks. Between writing up summaries of events for sharing on social media and in Extension publications, I have also been working on an article about the OSU Dry Farm Project and its community involvement through the Dry Farming Collaborative.

It has been fantastic to explore Extension this summer, especially as an OSU student in the College of Agricultural Sciences. I have had the opportunity to make so many connections with professors, researchers, and members of the community and it has given me a strong sense of what I might want to do in the future.

There have been so many highlights, from getting to bottle feed a two-day old baby goat to attending the Organic Grains & Pulses Field Day and several Master Gardener events. My favorite part of my internship was learning how Extension bridges the gap between communities and the university, connecting researchers with farmers and business owners, community members with resources about gardening and homeownership and farmers with each other. I am grateful for the opportunity to help publicize Small Farms Program and Community Horticulture’s events and activities.

The project that I am proudest of is my article about the OSU Dry Farm Project. For the article, I interviewed the lead researchers of the project, Lucas Nebert and Matt Davis, visited two of their dry farm sites, and in the process learned a lot about dry farming and its challenges in Oregon.

I am grateful to my supervisors, Teagan Moran and Brooke Edmunds, for their support and guidance this summer, and to everyone I met through this internship. I have greatly enjoyed exploring some of what Extension has to offer and realizing that there is so much more!

A woman shows children a drawing. — A lesson on soil and soil types at Hydromania science camp.
Photo credit: Amanda Woodlee

Hello! My name is Cadence Cooley, and I am interning at the OSU Extension office in Umatilla County throughout the summer. I was born and raised in Hermiston, Oregon, and graduated from Hermiston High School this June. I plan on attending Eastern Oregon University this fall and majoring in elementary education.

A woman teaches children in a classroom using visual aids on a screen. — Introduction and ice breaker at Camp Cloverbud.
Photo credit: Shauna Newman

I have been involved in the livestock and 4-H industry, showing swine for as long as I can remember, and I participated in FFA throughout my high school years. These programs have really shaped the person I have become today. Seeing how I am going to be helping in the 4-H and Master Gardener programs, I think this will be right up my alley.

So far, I have helped mainly in setting up our Cloverbud Camp, Hydromania Camp, as well as preparing for our Umatilla County 4-H Dog Show, which will take place in a little under a week. These experiences have been so fun and very informative. I love getting the chance to make new connections with people and see how the inside of the 4-H world takes place. Not only have I learned a deeper understanding of how the 4-H and the Master Gardener programs work, but I have also learned how the people at the Extension office complete all of their tasks. There is all sorts of communication, organizing, as well as networking. I know I will learn so much more this summer and I am looking forward to all that is to come!

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!

A woman at a table outdoors helps two children fill bowls with plants to make fairy gardens. — Making fairy gardens.
Photo Credit: Rachel Brandon

Hello! My name is Amber Stewart and I am an OSU Extension intern in Polk County. I am attending Chemeketa Community College pursuing my career goal of becoming a nurse.

I have grown up being a part of this 4-H program in Polk County and have been very much involved throughout the years with various camps, clubs and fairs. When I heard about this internship opportunity for the summer it seemed to be a great fit that would allow me to still engage with the 4-H program, even after I had aged out as a 4-H’er. It has been amazing to be able to become more connected to the program and take on more responsibility with planning and creating different events.

I have been working at the Extension office for about a month and I have already had so much to experience. For my main project, I had the chance to plan from the ground up a Jr. Master Gardener Camp. I used my time to coordinate activities, gather material and finally lead the camp that drew 30 youths from kindergarten through the fifth grade.

A woman teaches children how to arrange flowers in an outdoor class. — Leading a flower arranging activity.
Photo Credit: Rachel Brandon

Taking on the challenge of organizing this camp as well as teaching the youth was exhausting but so rewarding! Many of the campers got to experience new activities and learn more about horticulture. Quite a bit of the families that attended are interested in 4-H and are wanting to get more involved with the clubs that 4-H program in Polk County has to offer!

Next month I will be at Polk County’s fair and get to be fully involved with the behind the scenes of how the fair works, so it runs as smoothly as possible. I am excited for what I am going to experience and what skills I am going to gain from it.

OSU Extension Internship Program

Category Archives: Master Gardener

OSU Extension intern learns how to find professional balance

Extension intern reflects on learning and growth

OSU Extension intern connects with the public at fair

OSU Extension intern involved in outreach at food pantry in Pendleton

Extension intern finds skills as an educator

Incredible experience as the natural resources intern

Extension is a bridge from the OSU campus to communities

Looking forward to all that is to come

Exploring all that Extension has to offer

Returning to 4-H in Polk County as an intern has been amazing

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