Category Archives: Mid and Southern Willamette Valley

OSU Extension intern supports healthy communities and accessible education

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Hello! My name is Colleen Lovdokken. I am double majoring in biology and Spanish at Oregon State University. I hope to work in community-based conservation for my future career. With OSU Extension, I work across the Willamette Valley and on the coast conducting nitrate screenings of well water and educating homeowners about their wells and septic systems. This summer, I am excited to experience farmers’ markets and community events while making a meaningful impact on people’s quality of life. I hope to grow in community engagement and education skills through interacting with individuals from various locations and backgrounds. 

Interns, Colleen (right) and Abby (left) conduct a nitrate screening at the Brownsville Farmers’ Market. Photo: Melanie Reynolds
Nitrate test tubes at the Brownsville Farmers’ Market. Photo: Colleen Lovdokken

So far, I have attended the Millersburg and Brownsville Farmers’ Markets. For these markets, I was joined by one other intern as well as a representative from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Together, we completed 36 tests and talked to 66 community members about our educational materials and OSU Extension’s work.  

In the office, I have also been developing bilingual educational materials for well owners. Getting to use my Spanish language skills while developing resources that make well water education more accessible has been invaluable. 

One thing that stands out to me so far is the collaboration involved in every step of our work. Everyone has their individual strengths and getting to work together allows us to connect with community members and grow as a team. I can’t wait to see what this summer brings!  

                                                                                                       – Colleen Lovdokken 

OSU Extension intern serves at the intersection between health and the environment

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Hello! My name is Abby Thorsen, and I am entering my third year at Oregon State University. I am studying human development and family science. After finishing my undergrad, I plan to attend grad school to pursue a career in counseling or therapy. I have loved every part of my internship under the OSU Extension Service Groundwater Protection program in the mid and southern Willamette Valley so far. My favorite part of this internship has been speaking with community members about their water and health and helping them find resources they can utilize.  

Abigail Thorsen smiles for the photo at a nitrate screening clinic. Photo: Colleen Lovdokken

Extension has always been a huge part of my life, starting when I joined 4-H at nine years old and continuing until they gave me the boot after graduation. In high school, I was a member of multiple Extension Advisory boards in Polk County, where I learned about how Extension programs are run and funded on a deeper level. I am super excited to be involved with Extension again this year and give back to the program that has had such an impact on my life personally.  

So far, I have learned an incredible amount about well water, groundwater and septic systems, and I have so much to learn still! Understanding the way these systems work together has also opened my eyes to how deeply our environment shapes daily living and health. As I keep learning, I’m excited to explore even more of the connections between environmental systems, public health and human services. It is meaningful to see how these areas overlap and I’m looking forward to continuing to build this understanding.  

Given the numerous water screening clinics we host over the summer, I am also looking forward to traveling across the mid and southern Willamette Valley and seeing areas I have not spent much time in. I am excited to observe not only the environmental differences in this region, but also the varied community demographics. Having the chance to see these contrasts firsthand will help me better understand how environmental conditions and population characteristics intersect, and it will broaden and inform my perspective on the communities that we serve. This knowledge is something I plan to carry with me as I pursue my future career.  

OSU Extension intern seeks to communicate and engage with the community

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Hello everyone! My name is Nakayda Jacobs, and I am a senior at Oregon State University studying natural resources with a focus in agricultural and natural resources communications. This summer, I have the great pleasure of being part of the Groundwater Protection and Education team with OSU Extension in the mid and southern Willamette Valley. 

OSU Extension intern, Nakayda Jacobs tabling at the Millersburg Farmers’ Market. Photo: Colleen Lovdokken

One thing to know about me is that I enjoy a little bit of everything and love working at the intersection of different disciplines. One of my favorite parts of this internship has been seeing how natural science and human health come together. I also enjoy working alongside a team of peers with diverse academic backgrounds, each bringing a unique perspective and expertise to the program. Every day has allowed me to learn something new, whether it’s about groundwater, public health or what community outreach really looks like. 

As part of the groundwater team, I get to apply what I’ve learned in soil science and water resources to real-world issues involving private well water and septic systems. It’s been exciting to see how the concepts I’ve learned in the classroom directly translate into helping communities make informed decisions about their drinking water. Working for OSU Extension has been especially rewarding because it allows me to put my education into practice while continuing to learn through hands-on experience and community engagement. 

One unexpected challenge has been learning how to communicate the bitter with the sweet. As someone passionate about science communication, it can be challenging when the information I share has the potential to affect someone’s daily life or livelihood. While I love spending time at community events and farmers’ markets talking with people about topics I’m passionate about, an important part of this work is helping people understand potential risks to their health and water quality. Those conversations require empathy, patience and the ability to explain technical information in a way that is both accurate and approachable. 

Throughout this summer, I hope to continue developing my communication skills and become more confident in having meaningful conversations with a wide variety of audiences. I’m excited to keep learning from my team, strengthen my outreach experience and continue growing as both a natural resource professional and science communicator.