OSU Extension Internship Program «

Hello, I am Bobbie Ann Sharp and I am excited to be spending the summer serving the OSU Extension 4-H Program at the Umatilla County office in Pendleton. I just completed my third year at the University of Idaho, where I am studying agriculture communications, science and leadership. I am from Hermiston and was involved in 4-H in Umatilla County for almost 10 years. I’m super excited to see a different side to the 4-H program I grew up in and what molded me into who I am today.

Within the 4-H program, I found my passion for helping others, animals, and agriculture. I was also involved in FFA throughout my high school career. I understand how each program differs from the other and what all you can gain from both.

This summer, I’m ready to see the behind-the-scenes work that makes 4-H in Umatilla County so great. This internship is a huge learning opportunity for me and will help me in deciding the best career path. I am also excited for all the new experiences I will get to learn and witness firsthand. I can’t wait to be a part of the effect this program has on the members.

This summer my big project is creating activities for Camp Cloverbud. I am in charge of contacting volunteers, the location, choosing activities and arranging all the materials needed for the event. I am excited to see how the event goes and how the kids react to the activities I have picked for them. Thanks for welcoming me as an intern and let’s have a great summer.

Hello everyone, my name is Celilo Brun. I grew up in the Hood River Valley where I was a part of OSU Extension 4-H for as long as I can remember, and FFA. After I graduated from high school, I moved to Joseph, Oregon, where took a year off of school to serve as the 2020-21 Oregon FFA state treasurer. As treasurer, I learned more about agriculture while helping kids find their passion in ag and FFA. I also started my own show cattle company, Hurricane Cattle Co. This allowed me to continue to fuel my passion for the livestock industry. Fun fact: I have shown cattle in over 10 states!

Celilo Brun with her steer, Henry and her heifer, Sassy.

This past school year I attended Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) where I am majoring in agriculture communications. On top of my schooling, I am on the Livestock Judging Team, Show Team, and I am the president of our Block and Bridle Club (a collegiate agriculture club). After my sophomore year at EWC I plan on transferring to a university to continue my education and livestock judging.

If you can’t tell, my passions have always been for agriculture and advocating for the future of agriculture. I believe that advocating for the future generations in agriculture is essential because they become the future leaders in agriculture. In my future I would like to be a traveling sales representative for an agriculture-related company, as well as continuing to be an agricultural advocate through seminars and leadership opportunities.

Celilo Brun took pictures at this year’s Eastern Oregon Livestock Show.

I began my internship in the OSU Extension office in Wallowa County at the beginning of June. I jumped right into planning and preparing for the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show. From there I have been helping the SNAP-Ed nutrition program by attending summer lunch programs, the Wallowa County Watershed Festival, and facilitating workshops to kiddos in the Building Healthy Families summer program. During the slower days I have been preparing for the Wallowa County Fair, Tri-County 4-H Camp, and my cattle clinic. This time of year it’s crazy in the Extension office with deadlines, fair, and various events that have been taking place!

Ever since I joined 4-H in fourth grade I thought OSU Extension has been a very positive and welcoming environment. I have attended workshops and done various projects though extension and I never once felt like I wasn’t at home. The staff are some of the hardest working people I know, and they want everyone to succeed in what they are doing. Extension agents and staff are truly superheroes.

Hi there, my name is Caitie Smith. I am a senior at Oregon State University studying agricultural sciences and this fall I will be returning to get my master’s in agriculture education with hopes of becoming a high school ag teacher. This summer I am interning at the OSU Extension office in Linn County with Christy Tanner and Elizabeth Records as my supervisors.

I live in Corvallis at the moment but will be moving to Salem in August. Outside of school I like to hang out with my dog, Filbert, ride horses, garden and play guitar. I am also a first generation U.S. citizen as my parents immigrated to Lake Oswego, Oregon, from South Africa in 1998. I do not come from a background in agriculture but found a passion for it when I came to OSU originally intending to study animal science. Through meeting people, taking classes and joining clubs in the college of agriculture I was able to find my interest in crop science and education.

It is because of my background that I want to become an agriculture teacher and share what I love about the industry with my students that may not be able to find it elsewhere.

Before starting my internship with Extension, I worked for the OSU Wheat Research program for two years. Through this experience I was able to learn what goes into crop breeding and research and how it can be used to increase the food supply. My current internship position with Extension allows me to combine my love of research with my future in education.

I am working with Christy, assistant professor of practice and Extension field crops specialist, on a few different research projects, one of which is assessing damage in grass seed fields from voles. We use a drone to view the field from above and look for weak spots. Another project I am doing some work on this summer involves the effect of different pests on mint. This is done by setting traps in several mint fields throughout the mid-Willamette Valley and then checking them weekly for signs of mint root borers and variegated cutworms.

In addition to my work with Christy, I am working with Elizabeth, community horticulture and Master Gardener educator, and the Extension Master Gardener program. With the help of the Master Gardeners seasonal content team, I am publishing blogs and social media posts about gardening issues and topics throughout the summer. These topics so far include container gardening, native plants, beginner gardening, trendy houseplants and so much more.

I am beyond excited to learn as much as I can this summer about extension and apply it to my future as a teacher!

Hi there, I’m Molly Taylor. I grew up in The Dalles, and I’m currently a student at Oregon State University, where I just finished my third year. I’m majoring in nutrition with a dietetics option and a minor in public health. Once I finish my bachelor’s degree I hope to complete a dietetic internship/master’s program and become a registered dietitian. Right now, I picture myself doing clinical work in a hospital and potentially becoming a diabetes educator, so I’m excited to work with OSU Extension and learn about the strategies used to educate the public.

This summer I’m interning with Lauren Kraemer in the Extension Family and Community Health Program at the Extension offices in Wasco and Hood River counties. It’s my first time working as an intern with extension and I’m looking forward to seeing all the different tools and strategies Extension utilizes to reach different populations in the local communities. My impression right now, with only two weeks under my belt, is that Extension goes out into the community and provides more accessible and equitable learning opportunities that some communities may not have had without Extension services.

This summer I will be doing a variety of things such as food demonstrations at local farmers markets, handing out snacks at day camps, demonstrations at food pantries, along with helping out with some 4-H cooking camps and potentially helping to create a cookbook using Food Hero recipes for seasonal migrant workers and their families who make Wasco and Hood River counties their home for the summer.

Last week I got to see Extension in action when I helped out with a 4-H cooking camp. The camp taught kids how to cook a three-course meal using Food Hero recipes which are balanced, easy-to-make and affordable. The camp also allowed the kids to develop food safety skills and measuring techniques which got them excited about what they were eating because they had a part in creating it. There were also some MyPlate activities where we went over the MyPlate illustration with the kids and then had them build their own meals using pictures of different foods. It was fun to see the kids get excited about food and put their MyPlate knowledge to work by brainstorming different meals using some of their favorite foods while trying to incorporate all the food groups in order to have a balanced meal.

I’m excited to continue working and learning from all the opportunities and experiences that come with this internship!

Hello there! I am Keon Cohl Kiser, a freshly cooked college freshman going into my second year at Oregon State University. I am studying to be an environmental engineer with honors, with a hope to provide new solutions and/or sustainable alternatives for waste treatment through the study of organic decay. For me to be ready to take those steps I wanted to take an internship position to familiarize myself with the working environment and communal relationships.

I found this opportunity at the OSU Extension office in The Dalles with the Extension 4-H program, whose mission is to provide meaningful opportunities for all youths and adults to work together to create sustainable community change. I experienced a change as a high school student participating in the VEX Robotics Program, organized by Lu Seapy, 4-H STEM educator in Wasco County.

Through 4-H I was introduced into STEM and I was able to find a calling in my life to help improve the health of our planet and our communities, leading me into the engineering field. This is something that I hope I can give back to youths by introducing them to a multitude of topics like robotics and biology (as a few examples) to provide a groundwork for whatever path they are called to be on.

Not only will I build communal relationships and communication skills, I will also be put into an environment where I am charged with tasks to be done by deadlines. This opportunity provides new habits of scheduling, planning and executive decision-making, when needed.

Being at 4-H I can be a part of the lives of many people within my community, striving to enthrall youths in a variety of ways to encourage them to push themselves to grow in their future careers and as people. Similarly, I will grow with this experience communally and technically to establish the groundwork for my future.

Hey everyone!

My name is Alli Dixson. I am a sophomore at Montana State University studying animal science with a concentration in livestock management and industries. Through my experiences in Oregon 4-H and FFA I found my love of agriculture and more specifically livestock. For that reason, I have chosen to come back home for the summer to work as an intern for 4-H in the OSU Extension office in Tillamook County. Through the summer I hope to get a firsthand experience of what it’s like to work in Extension along with gaining key skills that are essential to any workplace.

Alli Dixson (middle) helping a Cloverbud launch a bottle rocket.

While I’ve only been working with Extension for a short while, I’ve definitely been busy. My first week I planned and assisted in instructing and leading a livestock clinic for 4-H members. We covered some basic information and specialty management techniques of swine, cattle, sheep and goats. The 4-H’ers learned through both a classroom setting and many hands-on activities involving feed rationing, contagious disease, animal behavior and safe injections.

Alli Dixson (right) assisting at a poultry clinic.

The following week I moved directly into 4-H Cloverbud day camps. We had an action-packed three days of art, crafts, and science. Some of the fun learning activities included making wildflower paper, planting herbs, cloud watching, and launching bottle rockets. The kids had a great time, and I enjoyed getting to work on my teaching skills along with my ability to manage a room of kids. It was a great experience and I hope to have many more like it throughout the summer.

Just this past week I’ve attended a poultry clinic in which members learned how to show chickens, ducks, and turkeys. Throughout the week I have also been working on planning and preparing for our 4-H junior day camps for 9- to 12-year-olds. During this camp we will cover topics such as engineering, horticulture, and other stem topics. While I’ve clearly been very busy, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have enjoyed being surrounded by kids, stem, agriculture, and most importantly learning.

Hello!

My name is Kylie Siddoway and I am an Intern in the OSU Extension office in Baker County. I grew up in eastern Oregon on my family’s cattle ranch and I was heavily involved in Extension 4-H and FFA. I just finished my first year at Texas A&M University in College Station and came home to work at my local Extension office for the summer.

I am majoring in agricultural leadership and development and am excited to explore Extension as a potential career path. I am working with both the Baker County Fair Board and Angela Robb, the administrative office manager and local liaison in the county office. My main responsibilities are organizing the county fair, contacting vendors, helping with open show entries and overseeing our front office.

So far this summer I have had an amazing time here at the Extension office and I’ve already learned more than I could have hoped for. Angela is someone I have known for a long time and it has been nice to work with a familiar face for my first college internship. She’s been off for a few weeks and that gave me an opportunity to help manage the front office and take on additional responsibilities such as filing paperwork and working with staff to answer community members’ questions.

I have really appreciated all of the staff here for their support and kindness. It is a wonderful place to work and a great learning environment. I already know I’ve developed skills that will transfer to any career I end up in. Working at the Baker County Extension office is a great opportunity and I’m thankful to be on staff here.

Overall, I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to the remainder of my internship before heading back to Texas A&M.

Hi, my name is Anahi Sanchez Marcial, I use she/her/hers pronouns, and I am a first-year college student in Portland. I am majoring in neuroscience and spending my first summer of college with OSU Extension Service at Washington County. I’ll be here for 10 weeks and as I reflect on my first few days at the office, I could not be more excited to begin this journey.

I am a first-generation college student and a proud child of immigrant parents. I love all my STEM classes, practicing math with my friends, and discussing chemistry with my roommate. However, an immense part of me loves acts of service and the opportunities for personal growth that it offers.

I was not raised in Portland and I moved back a couple of years ago, expecting challenging times. To my surprise, in less than two years I learned to speak English and began to volunteer in Parkrose, my local neighborhood. The kindness and support I received from my teachers and mentors felt rewarding, heartwarming, and special. From there, my passion for community service only grew stronger.

I applied to be an OSU Extension intern with one intention: To give back to the community that welcomed me years back. Now, I only wish to expand my passions, education, and connections. So, keep up with us, an amazing group of interns and I’ll check in by the end of my time here to tell you all about it.

Hello, my name is Cydney Stables. I am the intern for the OSU Extension Communications office, located in the Kerr Administration Building on the main Oregon State University campus in Corvallis.

Two girls are posing with a dairy cow. — Cydney Stables (right) shows a dairy cow in 4-H.

I’m from Gaston, Oregon, and I just completed my first year of college at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. I am majoring in agribusiness, communications, business administration and economics with a minor in plant and animal sciences.

I plan to pursue a master’s in agricultural communications upon completing my undergraduate work. After that, I hope to obtain a job in agricultural public relations, working as a spokesperson for the agriculture industry or as an educator for Extension.

So far, this internship has given me insight into the vast future career opportunities I may have in Extension and communications. One of the greatest experiences I have had thus far was the opportunity to tour county Extension offices across the state.

In late May, I traveled with the communications’ news and public issues team to Pendleton, where we began our tour of offices from there.

We visited with faculty and staff in the Extension offices in Umatilla, Sherman, Wasco, Hood River and Clackamas counties.

Then at the beginning of June, I went with colleagues in Extension Communications to the Extension office in Tillamook County, where we met the staff and discussed communications resources on the Extension employee intranet and media outreach. On our way back to Corvallis, we stopped at the Extension office in Yamhill County, which is one that is very familiar to me. My mom works there and I’ve helped around the office in previous summers as a volunteer.

These trips opened my eyes to the breadth and depth of what Extension truly does. Growing up a part of Extension through the Oregon 4-H program, I had no idea how many opportunities OSU Extension offers for communities. In addition, I learned first-hand from faculty and staff about their successes, challenges and failures.

Hood River Extension office research orchard

The trip was an immersive experience. Not only did I get to see Extension employees in action, but I also had the opportunity to experience the diversity in agriculture across the state.

I learned about programs of SNAP-Ed, Strong People, Master Gardeners, Open Campus, Juntos and more. All of which are great community outreach opportunities that benefit individuals in countless ways.

I want to thank all of the employees from the county offices we visited for being so welcoming and kind.

I can’t wait to see what the rest of this internship learning opportunity has in store.

Hello everyone, my name is Yolanda Diaz, and I am from the town of Nyssa in Malheur County. I’m a student at George Fox University, on my way to a bachelor’s degree in social work. I aspire to pursue a master’s in social work and then become a licensed clinical social worker. One of my main goals is to have my own counseling practice for families and children.

I’ve been involved in OSU Extension 4-H Teens as Teachers and other programs where I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., and network with many STEM professionals. This summer, I’m working alongside my supervisor, Barbara Brody, associate professor of practice and 4-H educator. So far, I’ve had the opportunity to plan cooking camps for youths, learn about aviation services, promote physical activity around our county, and develop engaging activities at the farmers market.

Yolanda Diaz poses for a picture in front of an Oregon State University Extension Service farmers market booth with coloring supplies and coloring sheets available for youth — Yolanda Diaz at the OSU Extension table at a farmers market.

The process of planning and delivering “Kids in the Kitchen” was a new and exciting experience for me. I’m grateful that our team is able to host summer camps in order for youths to gain essential skills regarding cooking and baking. Seeing them understand concepts and apply them to their work throughout the summer is truly rewarding. Our team has also gotten the chance to visit different schools in our county and teach lessons related to food and nutrition.

Yolanda Diaz handing out sliced fruit to a little girl for making smoothies. — Yolanda Diaz (right) hands out ingredients for making smoothies.

One of my favorite parts of this internship is working in makerspace events. I contribute by helping students learn the process of laser engraving, vinyl cutting, T-shirt and sticker-making, and 3D printing. With the rapid advancement of technology, I believe it’s crucial for youth to learn 21st-century skills. One of the best things about makerspace is that it provides a chance for students to stay determined and creative through the process. The makerspace even won a national teamwork award this year!

Planning educational activities for families at the farmers market is one of the most rewarding parts of this internship. It’s an exciting time to meet families and share resources with them. This year, all of our activities are focused on bringing awareness regarding what bees do for our environment. Engaging with youth about this topic, while building fun crafts, is a beneficial way to inform children about the agricultural setting we live in and how it contributes to our daily lives. The farmers market really helps Extension reconnect with our community and remind them what we are all about.

A valuable lesson I’ve gained from working in Extension this summer is the importance of community partnerships. Involving different organizations is very beneficial. Networking with professionals that may have a different background than yours brings another insight into the subject matter and it also strengthens our community. I’m looking forward to the upcoming events that we have planned. I am thankful to be doing such meaningful work in my community and to grow as a leader, student and intern.

OSU Extension Internship Program

Back in Umatilla County and ready to intern

Extension agents and staff are my superheroes

Combining my love for research with my future in education

Teaching youths and adults about nutrition in the Columbia Gorge

Building a brighter future for youths in my community

Action-packed beginning to my internship in Tillamook County

Having a fair-ly amazing time in Baker County

Giving Back to the Community: My Summer with OSU Extension

Traveling across Oregon to learn from Extension County faculty and staff

Meaningful work in Malheur County

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