OSU Extension Internship Program «

Greetings fellow farmers and lovers of Agriculture!

My name is Mia Claire Koljian and I am one of the summer interns for the Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture at Oregon State University. I am currently a senior working on my bachelors degree of science in botany with a concentration in ecology, evolution, and conservation. I am located in Corvallis and I am hoping to obtain a master’s in plant pathology. In my future I see myself working in environment stability by studying and preventing plant diseases. I have a goal of working in laboratories to study invasive pests and pathogens and their impact on the environment they are in.

Mia Claire Koljian at Oregon State Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture Photo: Mia Claire Koljian

When going into the summer term I knew that I wanted to be working on a farm, and I was very lucky to be provided the opportunity to work on the Dry Farm through the Extension Service Program at the Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture. So what is Dry Farming? Dry farming is crop production without irrigation during a dry season. It is a practice that emphasizes production and growth with as little intervention as possible. I have greatly enjoyed my time working on the dry farms so far and have been extremely supported as a worker by my supervisor Lucas Nebert. Under Lucas’ guidance I have learned so much about the processes of the dry farm and all the foundational techniques of farming. It is a goal of mine to become more knowledgeable in the processes of organic farming and working on plots of land, and I feel that I am able to achieve this with the Dry Farm Program.

So far we have been doing necessary upkeep of the land like weeding, pruning, and planting. One of my favorite tasks that I’ve been working on is planting cucumber melons next to the pollinator garden at the Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture. Starting your mornings by being out in the sun and listening to the sounds of nature has been such an excellent time for me. One of the other tasks I have enjoyed doing is assisting my supervisor Lucas with his project on studying drought resistant corn. The working hypothesis is that by inoculating a corn plant in its early stages with an endophyte, it will be able to assist the corn plant in becoming more drought tolerant and being able to grow and produce a fruiting body under those conditions. Endophytes are bacteria or fungi that live between living plant cells. They can have symbiotic relationships and aid in stress tolerance for the plant. I have found this very interesting to work with because it can provide foundational work for what I want to study in my future career. I am hoping to learn more information about organic farming plant microorganisms during my time with the dry farm.

Hello again, from the Oregon State University Extension in Tillamook County 4-H Intern, Alli Dixson. There are only about two weeks left of my internship and it still feels like it just began. Somehow it has already been two months of hard and fulfilling work (and a healthy dose of chaos).

Campfire skits at wild west camp. Photo: Alli Dixson

To be quite frank with you, I have barely been in the office at all in the past two weeks. And I will hardly be in the office at all in the next two weeks. However, this is not due to any lack of work, tasks, jobs, or anything of the sort. I have been taking my work on the road! Much of this internship has had me working at different events and locations across the western part of the state.

My trips include:

Summer Conference at OSU in Corvallis
Wild West Camp at The Oregon 4-H Center in Salem
Swine Judge at Columbia County Fair in St. Helens (outside of work but still awesome!)

Coming up very soon (like starting this week) the majority of my time will be spent at the Tillamook County Fairgrounds.

As I mentioned above, I attended Wild West Camp at the 4-H Center, where I served as the assistant director. Wild West Camp is a 4-H camp for kids ages 9-13. Campers participate in a wide variety of activities and lessons such as arts and crafts, fishing, equitation, archery, environmental sciences, leadership/relationship skill building, etc. We also have a very strong team of youth leaders that run cabins, manage campers, lead activities, and many other things. My role at camp was somewhat all encompassing. One moment I would be applying a bandage or ice pack to a small wound, the next I was helping youth tie-dye, not a moment later I would be consoling campers and cabin leaders alike on their concerns or issues. I fielded a wide range of questions, conversations, and intense feelings from youth about their camp experience. This was a great experience for my personal and professional development and I am happy to have been “Gator” (my camp name) to another year’s worth of campers.

We are very quickly approaching the Tillamook County Fair. It begins on August 7th, but for me and others in my office it has already been underway for weeks. We have been hard at work preparing for the fair and organizing events leading up to fair week.

My personal tasks for fair preparation and during fair week include:

Creating recognition posters for horse fair, fashion revue, and foods and presentation contest
Social media posts for:
- Fair Schedules
- Member/Leader Awards
- Event Spotlights
- Recognition posts
- Fashion Revue
- Foods and Presentation Contest
Creating materials for and running the Livestock Quiz Bowl
Creating the awards script and slide show
Finding and managing a photographer
Running Master Showmanship

Additionally, I serve as one of the two “Swine Superintendents”, meaning that I am largely responsible for the happenings of the barn and the running of all swine shows.

Needless to say, I am absolutely swamped with all things county fair, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I absolutely love fair and enjoy the chaos that it brings to my life. On top of all of the fair activities I am preparing to move to the Corvallis area immediately following the county fair so that I can begin my master’s program at OSU.

Hello! My name is Riley Hampton, I just finished my first year at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. I am super excited to start my internship with Oregon State University Extension. I am working this summer with the 4-H program in Umatilla County, an organization I am very familiar with as I have been a member of Umatilla 4-H since I was 9 years old.

Clay Pig made by 4-Her Katie Knudsen. Photo: Riley Hampton

Even though the summer just started, Umatilla County 4-H is in full swing. The fair is just around the corner, and just last week was our very first Umatilla County 4-H Pre-Fair. Exhibitors competed in Food Preparation Contests, Fashion Revue, Table Setting, and Presentations. It was amazing to see all the involvement by the 4-H members this past week.

Another first for Umatilla County 4-H, was our inaugural Cupcake Wars competition, which took place on Thursday of Pre-Fair. 4-H Members compete in teams of two and together create a dozen themed cupcakes in two hours. This year’s themes were “vacation” and “Dr. Seuss”. I was very impressed with the work these members presented, even if I was very full of cupcakes by the end of the day.

This year marks the 3^rd annual Camp Cloverbud, and I was lucky enough to be able to lead it on the last day of Pre-Fair. Twenty Cloverbuds came to participate in five educational activity stations, taking home five different projects that can be entered into fair. One of my goals regarding Camp Cloverbud was to teach Cloverbuds about many different parts of 4-H activities. Campers participated in an art project, livestock project, plant project and even a science experiment!

I am currently studying emerging media and digital arts at Southern Oregon University, with hopes of becoming a digital artist and animation showrunner. I am using my design experience to create new displays that will be presented at the Umatilla County Fair. Wish me luck!

I am super proud of everything that happened during Pre-Fair and I’m very excited for the rest of the summer! I am located at the OSU Extension Office in Hermiston. I hope to meet you all this summer at Umatilla County Fair in Hermiston, Oregon, August 7-10. Stay cool and see you soon.

Without the opportunities that OSU Extension has offered me I know I would not be the self-reliant person I am today. I have been a 4-H’er for eight years, and have been able to increase my knowledge through educational events, inspiring programs and transforming travel. Now, after I have graduated from high school and am heading off into adulthood, I have the chance to work with Extension, and not only build my professional proficiency but have the opportunity to help youth also experience such enriching moments.

Nyla Bennett High School Graduation Photo — Nyla Bennett high school graduation photo. Photo: Patrick Farrell

Hi, my name is Nyla Bennett. I’m proud to say that I am a student intern at the Oregon State University Extension office in Wheeler County. It’s been almost a month since I graduated high school and then four days later started this job. I’ve enjoyed every second of it.

Since finishing high school, I have realized that a majority of my favorite memories and closest friends have stemmed from the 4-H program. The events that had brought me and my peers together I now work on to continue and make better. Now, I get to be a larger part of our Tri-County 4-H Camp, 4-H Field Day, Clover Bud Day Camps, County Fair, State Fair and so much more. I have already been working on advertising, organizing and orchestrating these events and can’t wait to lead and teach them as the summer goes on.

However, I’m anticipating what will come after this summer ends even more. I’m planning on attending Eastern Oregon University and applying to their branch of OHSU for Nursing. I hope to earn my BSN and become a registered Nurse. From there I anticipate working a few years and hopefully having the opportunity to become a traveling nurse. I then aim to find a specific area I enjoy to specialize in, and pursue a master’s degree.

This position with OSU is a blessing I’m incredibly grateful for. I find this position enriching. It’s an experience I have not had before. In our incredibly rural area, there are limited job opportunities that aren’t an hour away. Learning from my supportive supervisor, preparing for my future, and being able to help kids expand their worldview is a gift. One I hope to pass on through my dedication to “Making the Best Better.”

Hi everyone! My name is Jackie Ruff, and I’m thrilled to share a bit about my journey and the work I’ve been doing. Currently, I’m in my third year of undergrad at Oregon State University, majoring in environmental science with a concentration in chemistry and the environment and minoring in education. It’s been a fantastic ride so far, blending my love for science with a passion for teaching.

Rocks painted by intern Jackie Ruff for the community garden in Marion County. Photo: Jackie Ruff

I’m based out of the Oregon State University Extension Service office in Benton County, but my work takes me across various counties through the Groundwater Quality Education Program. This program is an amazing initiative that aims to protect and improve our groundwater quality. Since starting in October, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to engage with communities and make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

One of the key aspects of my role is organizing outreach events throughout different counties. These events provide free well water screening for nitrate and offer education on wells and septic systems. It’s a rewarding experience to see how these efforts help ensure the safety and health of our communities. Many people rely on well water for their daily needs and educating them about potential contaminants and how to maintain their systems is crucial. It’s not just about testing water; it’s about empowering people with the knowledge they need to protect their families and the environment.

Another project that we have been working on involves painting inspiration rocks. These aren’t just any rocks — they’re little pieces of art and hope. We donate them to the Marion County Juvenile Department to inspire visitors to maintain positive outlooks on life. It might seem like a small gesture, but sometimes a bit of color and a few encouraging words can make a world of difference to someone going through a tough time. The process of painting these rocks is therapeutic and fun, and knowing they bring a smile to someone’s face makes it all the more special.

Balancing my studies and this work can be challenging, but it’s incredibly fulfilling. My education in environmental science, particularly with a focus on chemistry and the environment, gives me a solid foundation to understand the complexities of groundwater issues. Meanwhile, my minor in education helps me effectively communicate and share this knowledge with the community. It’s a perfect blend that prepares me for a future where I can continue making a positive impact.

Hi everyone! My name is Elsa Buchholz, and I am currently going into my fourth year as an undergraduate student at Oregon State University. If everything goes according to plan, I will be graduating this coming fall. I am majoring in Public Health with an option in Health Promotion and Health Behavior, as well as a minor in Environmental and Occupational Health and a certificate in Medical Humanities. I am based in the Corvallis OSU Extension office as an intern for the Groundwater Protection Program. Although I do not have a set career path at the moment, my main passion is in environmental health. I am particularly interested in climate and reproductive health, and I want to research the intersection between the two if possible. I plan to continue my education in graduate school to explore these areas further. This internship over the summer is my first experience working with the OSU Extension Service.

Elsa Buchholz at the Tri-county business expo in Lane County — Elsa Buchholz at the Tri-county business expo with OSU Extension in Lane County. Photo: Kelci Free

This summer I hope to learn more about community outreach and the efforts that are required to make a positive impact on the health of the community and the environment. I am particularly looking forward to the opportunity to schedule, plan, and participate in my own events. While I have had the chance to help create and send out postcards for events, advertise them online, and participate in them during my internship so far, I am excited to take on the responsibility of organizing multiple events from start to finish. I have been brainstorming several project ideas that I believe will both contribute to the goals of the OSU Extension Service, as well as relate to my personal interests in the field of public health. One of these ideas is to design and implement a survey or questionnaire that gathers important information from community members. This survey would aim to better understand how people discovered the Groundwater Protection Program, and the OSU Extension Service in general, how they heard about our events, whether they had their water tested for nitrate at our events, if they received any publications on well water or septic systems, and what changes, if any, they made after attending our events. Collecting and analyzing this data would help us to better understand the impact of our efforts and identify any areas for improvement. This project would help us refine our outreach strategies, as well as ensure that we are effectively addressing the needs of the community.

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.

¡Hola!

My name is Flor Gaspar Marquez, and I am from Puebla, Mexico. In 2012, I embarked on a journey to the USA, speaking zero English. However, with determination, I conquered the language barrier. Currently, I’m an Oregon Coast Community College student majoring in Nursing. My career aspiration is to work initially in the Acute Care Unit, with a future transition into Public Health. I completed my first year of studies this summer and will begin my second year this fall. My strong belief in the transformative power of education fuels my passion to serve others through healthcare. Envisioning my future role as a nurse, I see myself contributing to a local hospital dedicated to assisting Hispanic individuals who encounter language barriers in accessing medical care and understanding community services. My experiences as an immigrant inspire my commitment to supporting fellow immigrants, ensuring they receive essential care and support without language obstacles.

Flor Gaspar Marquez in Lincoln county at the county fair. Photo: Flor Gaspar Marquez

My journey with the OSU Extension in Lincoln County began in 2021 during the pandemic. I collaborated with various organizations and local nurses at COVID-19 vaccination clinics, translating for Spanish-speaking individuals and supporting vaccination efforts. This experience deepened my passion for nursing and my commitment to positively impacting the Latino community. I am deeply committed to serving diverse communities and advocating for equitable access to healthcare for all.

This summer, I’m interning with the Extension for the second time with SNAP-Ed and Family and Community Health. As I wrap up my 10^th week, I have actively participated in diverse events such as the Lincoln County Fair, Cooking Matters sessions, Farmers’ Market Tours, and Food Tasting events at DHS, local stores, and WIC. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in events at local kindergartens and camps, educating children about healthy eating habits and the importance of physical activity. In collaboration with my supervisor, we have initiated two new programs—Walk With Ease (WWE) and A Taste of Latin America Heritage. These experiences have been instrumental in boosting my confidence. Engaging with diverse communities and individuals of all ages has pushed me beyond my comfort zone, fostering significant personal and professional growth.

The WWE is an evidence-based program designed by the Arthritis Foundation that promotes daily walking to enhance joint flexibility, alleviate pain, and improve overall health through gentle exercises for everybody. Collaborating in this program has enabled me to develop essential skills such as event planning, organization, flyer design, marketing, teamwork, problem-solving, and utilizing tools like Qualtrics. These skills lay a solid foundation for my future career in nursing. I am eager to further cultivate my teaching and public speaking skills, expand my nutrition and physical fitness knowledge, and continue engaging with diverse communities. These competencies are vital for my aspirations in nursing and crucial for my growth journey. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to meaningful initiatives through this internship. Witnessing the positive impact of our efforts on the community brings me immense joy and reaffirms my commitment to making a difference through healthcare.

Hello everyone!

My name is Kimberly Alcaraz and I am interning with Oregon State University Extension Service in Lincoln County with SNAP-Ed and Family and Community Health. I will be going into my second year at Oregon State University in the fall, majoring in Public Health on the Pre-Med track. I want to become an Emergency Medicine Physician and do my best to help anyone I can. I am very optimistic that this internship will help me open my eyes and see what the community really needs help with concerning health. I was born and raised in Lincoln County, so I am very excited to be helping in the community I grew up in with the many opportunity programs we offer.

Kimberly Alcaraz Walk With Ease — Kimberly Alcaraz with stretching Walk With Ease participants. Photo: Braden Alcaraz

This summer I hope to gain a better understanding and point of view on community based nutritional programs and how they impact public health, physically, emotionally, and even mentally. Nutrition is important because it’s a way to help develop and grow mentally and physically and just feel great about ourselves and help others feel healthy as well. This internship will help me learn about the awareness of social determinants of health, preparing me for the comprehensive perspective, which is key for my future career in the medical field. I am also looking forward to working in a more professional environment during my internship. I will develop skills that I will use in the future like, communication, working with others, and problem solving. I hope to use these skills to build the type of doctor and person I want to be.

That being said, I am now in my fifth week of my internship and I’m thrilled to share some of my achievements so far. Food tasting with Food Hero has been one of the most recurring events that I have been a part of during my internship. For these events we have been looking up healthy and simple recipes on the Food Hero website and then offering them to people from the food pantry, farmers markets, summer programs, and so much more. Doing these food tastings might seem boring but they can actually be fun and most importantly impactful. We provide a different point of view on how to approach the food you might have in your pantry and for some people provide the only meal sometimes people have a day. Overall, it’s something we can do to promote healthy eating for both kids and adults. Another thing I have done during my internship is help my supervisor with cooking classes and demonstrations. We have done this for both kids and adults and I have noticed they love it. People, especially kids love being involved with an activity like these which makes my internship so much more fun.

Lastly, the main thing I will be involved with this summer is a program called Walk With Ease. This program is to help reduce pain and improve overall health. Walk With Ease is a research based program emphasis for people with arthritis being that it is published by the Arthritis Foundation, but is a program for everybody. This program is very important to me and my internship because it’s something I helped plan from the very beginning. I have helped with brainstorming, flyer making, advertising, and help lead sessions to later lead a whole session on my own. However, being that we have only had one session so far, it has been so rewarding seeing how people might actually take something from this program. People from this program will gain confidence to exercise in which they will help with pain management, social interaction, and so much more.

Overall, my internship with the Oregon State University Extension Service in Lincoln County with SNAP-Ed and Family and Community Health has been a fantastic experience so far. I can’t wait to continue this experience to learn more and most importantly help the community that has always been in my life.

Hi everyone! My name is Forrest Pratt, and I am interning with Oregon State University Extension Service in Linn and Benton counties this summer. I am working with SNAP-Ed and supporting the Food Hero program. I am a senior at Oregon State University, where I am pursuing a double bachelor’s degree in zoology and education, and I will be a student teacher in a middle school science classroom during the upcoming school year.

Forrest Pratt serves "Strawberry Swirl" at Food Hero booth at Farmers Market. Photo: Vonda Peters — Forrest Pratt serves “Strawberry Swirl” at Food Hero booth at Farmers Market. Photo: Vonda Peters

So far, I have focused on Food Hero outreach at farmers’ markets with Extension. I have also worked on a few other Food Hero outreach projects in community resource centers. Food Hero promotes accessible healthy eating by sharing recipes that are nutritious, low-cost, and easy to make. The website also has information about food safety and storage, gardening, and physical activity. We bring samples of these recipes that use in-season produce to the markets for people of all ages to try. We encourage people to try making them and to explore what else Food Hero has to offer. I love talking with the people at the markets about the recipe, the market, Food Hero, or anything else they want to talk about. My favorite part is seeing the different reactions kids (and adults!) have to trying something new.

I’ve also met with other people who work for the Extension Service in Linn County, and had chances to learn about what they do and support some of their work. I am exploring careers for myself in formal and informal education, and I am especially interested in community outreach. Interning with the Extension Service is providing me with a new perspective on what this type of work can look like. It is also offering me opportunities to practice event planning and facilitation.

In a few weeks, I will be teaching a local youth club a lesson about energy as it relates to food intake and physical activity. One of the parts of this position that I am enjoying the most is the ability to connect with a variety of people, and to promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle to many different people in my community. As the summer goes on, I am looking forward to taking on more of the planning responsibilities of our outreach initiatives and participating in more farmers’ market events.

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