Union County « OSU Extension Internship Program

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!

Hi, my name is Heidi Moran, and this summer I have been the Union County intern. This summer has
been busy with many incredible experiences. During my internship, I mainly worked with various 4-H
events. Before this internship, I was always extremely involved in 4-H. I have enjoyed working for 4-H
and being able to see all the work that goes into running all of the events I used to participate in. This
summer, I helped with the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show, Union County Interstate Exchange Trip, Tri-
County 4-H Camp and the Union County Fair.

Heidi Moran and Shelby Benson strike a pose at the Tri-County 4-H Camp Celebration. Photo: Heidi Moran

This summer, I was able to help with the Tri-County 4-H camp. This year’s camp theme was board
games. Before camp, I helped prepare all of the necessary supplies that we would need at camp. At
camp, I helped with check-in, board game Pictionary and popping popcorn. I also taught an ice cream
class with our office specialist, Shelby Benson. We also created a playlist for the celebration and MCed
the celebration. 4-H camp was always a highlight of my summer every year, and I enjoyed being able to
help out.

The main event I helped with this summer was the Union County Fair. I helped with preparations for the
fair, such as making exhibitor packets, putting together clerk books and preparing awards. Before the
fair started, I helped with the horse show and pre-fair contests such as the fashion revue. During the fair
week, I was the clerk for all of the livestock shows and handed out ribbons for the steer show. OSU
Extension also had a booth at the fair, so I helped decorate (we won), staff the booth and engage with
the public, informing them of all the opportunities presented by OSU Extension. When I had free time
from helping with 4-H events. It was a great Union County Fair!

An office project I helped with this summer was the renovation of our conference room. We were
getting new flooring put in, so Shelby Benson and I pulled up some of the carpet. We also painted the
bottom of the conference room walls blue. When the flooring was finished, we brought all of the
furniture back in and arranged it. This is a project that will have a lasting impact on space functionality
for community members.

This will be my final summer as an intern. Over the last 3 years, I have learned many things, such as time
management, organization and how to paint (kind of). I also made many relationships and memories
over the past 3 years. I will be able to use what I have learned and the relationships I have built in my
future career as an educator.

Hi everyone, my name is Heidi Moran! This will be my third summer as an intern for Oregon
State University Extension Service in Union County. I just finished my junior year at Eastern
Oregon University, where I am majoring in elementary education. I have been involved in 4-H
since I was in fourth grade and have really enjoyed working and helping at 4-H events that I
participated in when I was in 4-H. So far this summer I have worked at Eastern Oregon
Livestock Show and the Union County Crop Tour.

Heidi Moran at the Union County Crop Tour. Photo: Shelby Benson

At the beginning of my internship, I prepared and helped at the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show
in Union, Oregon. To prepare for the show I prepared awards, made exhibitor packets and
brought everything to the Stock show grounds. During the show I helped by directing traffic
during weigh in, assisted with some of the livestock shows, took pictures and helped wherever
was needed. This was a great way to start my internship!

Another highlight of the summer was the 47th annual Crop Tour in Union County. During the
tour I helped by counting people on the buses, taking pictures and doing anything else that was
needed. I enjoyed learning more about the agriculture in Union County!
This has already been a great summer, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer has in
store for me!

Hi, my name is Heidi Moran and I have been an Oregon State University Extension intern in Union County intern. This summer was extremely busy but filled with so many incredible experiences! During my internship I mainly worked with 4-H and our Iron Chef cooking class through our Snap-Ed and 4-H programs. Before starting this internship, I was extremely involved in 4-H for nine years and my summers were always filled with many 4-H activities. As an intern I have enjoyed being able to work for 4-H and see all of the work and time that goes into putting on all of these summer 4-H events. Some of the events I helped prepare for were Eastern Oregon Livestock Show, Tri County 4-H Camp, Union County Fair, and preparation for the Oregon State Fair.

Heidi Moran, Lena Wheeling at Tri County 4-H Camp. Photo: Katie Hauser

One of the major 4-H events I helped with this summer was the Union County Fair. There is a lot of preparation work and behind the scenes work that goes into fair. The weeks leading up to fair I helped prepare exhibitor packets, clerk books and many other projects that were needed to be finished before fair began. During our pre-fair week, I clerked and helped out at the horse show. During fair I was able to clerk all of the livestock shows, help in our Oregon State Extension booth, and help prepare for the awards program. Even though it was a busy week at fair, it was fun being able to work at the fairgrounds and seeing 4-H members enjoying the fair.
Leading up to the Oregon State Fair I spent many hours preparing exhibits to be sent to Salem. I tagged all of the items, made sure that all of the exhibits had all of the necessary paperwork, and packaged them so they could safely to travel down to State Fair. It was a lot of work and took a long time but I enjoyed seeing the projects that kids had worked on all year and preparing them for State Fair.
This summer I also had the opportunity to work with our Iron Chef cooking class through the Snap-Ed program. Every Wednesday during the classes I helped make sure the kids were being responsible in the kitchen. The last class was a competition to see who could make the best one pot skillet meal. Kids were given the opportunity to be creative with what protein, grain, vegetable and sauce they were going to use in their skillet. I was asked if I would be one of the three judges for the competition. I enjoyed being able to see how creative some of the kids got with their skillets and how their cooking skills had improved over the course of the classes.
This internship has been an incredible experience. I was able to learn and grow from working with Extension. This internship has been a highlight of my summer the last two years and I am hoping to be able to do it again next summer. I am grateful for all of the experiences and relationships I was able to build this summer!

Hi my name is Heidi Moran! This will be my second summer as an Oregon State University Extension intern in Union County. I just finished my second year at Eastern Oregon University where I am majoring in elementary education. I was involved in 4-H for 9 years and last summer I really enjoyed having a larger role in 4-H events around Union County. So far this summer I have helped at Eastern Oregon Livestock Show, Tri County 4-H Camp, and our Iron Chef Cooking Class. I really enjoyed working and helping at these events which I had participated in for many years while I was in 4-H.

Heidi Moran serving lunch at Tri-County 4-H Camp. Photo: Katie Hauser

At the beginning of my internship, I was able to work out at Eastern Oregon Livestock Show in Union, OR. I was able to help with some of the livestock shows, answer questions, and help with awards. It was a great way to start off my summer internship.

A highlight so far from the summer was helping with Tri-County 4-H Camp. I was able to help prepare for the camp by organizing camp supplies, make cabin boxes, and counselor binders. At 4-H Camp I taught an ice cream making class, popped popcorn for the movie night, and helped where needed during the camp. 4-H Camp was something I always looked forward to each summer when I was younger and I enjoyed having a larger role this year.

This has already been a great summer and I am excited to see what the rest of the summer has in store for me

A woman in sunglasses sits on a stool and smiles at the camera. — Announcing and clerking the horse show at the Union County Fair.
Photo credit: Katie Hauser

Hi, my name is Heidi Moran, and I am an Oregon State University intern in Union County. I am attending Eastern Oregon University and majoring in elementary education. This summer has gone by extremely fast working for the Extension office and helping with many 4-H events.

This summer I helped with our Iron Chef cooking class through our SNAP-Ed and 4-H programs. Every Thursday morning, I would help Jamie Cox with the classes and making sure that the kids were being responsible in the kitchen. I really enjoyed working with the kids and building a connection with them.

Five women stand and smile at the camera. — Carole Smith, Heidi Moran, McKenzie Sheldon, Jordyn Stonbrink and Reese Roys at Tri County 4-H Camp.
Photo credit: Katie Hauser

I also helped at the Union County Fair the first week of August. Before fair started, I announced and clerked the horse show for both Union and Baker counties and prepared packets and other things needed for fair. At the beginning of fair week, I helped clerk the art and photography section of our home economics building. During the fair I helped clerk most of the livestock shows, helped prepare awards for the awards ceremony and helped with what was needed throughout the week. I had participated in the Union County Fair for over nine years as a 4-H member and helped with many of the events at fair. I never realized how much work went into preparing and working at the fair.

A boy stands at a table and chops vegetables. — Helping with the Iron Chef cooking class.
Photo credit: Jamie Cox

One of the highlights of my summer was helping with our Tri-County 4-H camp. I helped prepare for the camp, teach an ice cream class, and help the new counselors learn some of the camp traditions. 4-H camp was something I always participated in as a 4-H member and something I always looked forward to every summer.

From this internship I have learned many new things from helping at all of these events and I will continue to use those skills in the future. It also helped me grow my passion for 4-H and want to stay involved with it in the future. This is something that I will continue doing throughout the rest of my college career!

A woman in a baseball cap sits at a desk, writing names under pictures of students. — Tri-County 4-H Camp
Photo credit: Katie Hauser

Hi, my name is Heidi Moran! This summer, I am an OSU Intern in Union County. I will be a sophomore at Eastern Oregon University, majoring in Elementary Education.

Before starting this internship, I didn’t know about other programs OSU Extension offered. I was surprised at how many different things our Extension office offers. I am excited to learn more about those programs and help them with their needs. This summer, I am helping with our Iron Chef cooking class and am excited to learn more about the program.

I grew up extremely involved in 4-H here in Union County and have had many incredible experiences in 4-H. I am excited to experience 4-H on a different side, working in the office and helping organize different 4-H events. 4-H profoundly impacted my life and I can’t wait to help other youth have experiences like mine.

So far, I have helped with Eastern Oregon Livestock Show, Tri-County 4-H Camp, and our Iron Chef cooking class! These have been incredible experiences and I have learned a lot through them. I have really enjoyed my internship so far and I can’t wait to see what the rest of it holds!

OSU Extension Internship Program

Category Archives: Union County

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

OSU Extension intern closes out three years of service and growth

OSU Extension intern supports 4-H and local ag events

Long time 4-Her wraps up summer as Extension intern

Extension intern returns to 4-H in a larger role

Planning to pursue a career in Extension as the result of this internship

Helping others have incredible 4-H experiences

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