Hi all, Ashton Rask again. For my final blog post, and my final project of my internship,
Savannah and I helped our Education Program Assistant build bags filled with cooking utensils,
cookbooks and other informational materials. These bags will be distributed to our local
community partners for our community members to use and enjoy. This will help equip our
community with the tools they need to create a healthy and balanced meal. Attached is a photo
of Savannah Barron and me in our Columbia County Office, prepping the bags (photo to come). We created an
assembly line to get as many of the bags done as we could so we can distribute them to our
community partners.
Over the course of my internship, I have had the opportunity to help within our community
programming, which is something I have really enjoyed. Specifically, our cooking classes at the
Food Bank that are hosted alongside WIC classes. These classes are made up of youth usually
under the age of 6. We have had some of these kids attend multiple classes this summer, and
it’s been a joy to see them repeatedly. It has given me the opportunity to give back to my
community, help educate my community about the resources we have available, and share
new, healthy recipes featuring foods that are easily accessible.
Working with Kate, our education program assistant, has been a blast. She’s extremely
knowledgeable and creates a wonderful environment for those involved. The kids we had the
opportunity to work with are so much fun and are always excited about the recipes Kate brings
to the table. Our hope is that these prefilled bags help kids and families have the tools they
need to make meals more accessible.
Hello again! My name is Aspen Bowling, and I am currently getting ready to go into my third
year at Oregon State University. As I enter the final few weeks of my internship with the Oregon
State University Extension Service in Clatsop County, I’ve had time to reflect on all that I’ve
learned, the connections I’ve made and the meaningful work I’ve been fortunate to be part of.
From hands-on experience with local programs to helping at one of the county’s biggest annual
events, this internship has given me a deeper appreciation for community-based education,
agriculture and wellness.
OSU Extension intern, Aspen Bowling, snaps a photo of livestock showmen at the Clatsop County Fair. Photo: Aspen Bowling
One of the highlights of this half of my internship was attending the Joy of Gardening
Conference in Corvallis in July. This event brought together Master Gardeners, educators and
plant lovers from across the state to learn, connect and grow. I had the chance to sit in on
fascinating workshops, meet new faces and expand my knowledge of sustainable gardening
practices. Being part of a space where people were so passionate about sharing information
and building stronger garden communities was incredibly inspiring. Back here in Clatsop
County, I’ve continued supporting the OSU Master Gardener Program by helping with
educational events, prepping materials and working alongside volunteers who are committed
to teaching others how to grow food and care for the environment. It’s been a great experience
seeing how this program connects people of all ages and backgrounds. This summer, I also had
the opportunity to get creative with some digital media production. I’ve been involved in
everything from photography and graphic design to helping manage social media posts that
promote events and share the story of Extension’s work. While much of this happens behind
the scenes, it’s a big part of how Extension reaches wider audiences and keeps the community
informed and engaged. I’ve enjoyed learning how to blend creativity with communication to
support outreach and education.
One of the most meaningful parts of my internship was working at the Clatsop County Fair. Not
only was it exciting to be involved in the planning and support side like helping with 4-H events,
capturing moments through photography and being part of the team, but it also brought back
personal memories from when I was in 4-H myself. Walking through the barns and seeing youth
proudly show their animals reminded me of my own experiences growing up. It was truly
inspiring to see today’s 4-H members building confidence, learning responsibility and creating
the same kinds of lasting memories that shaped me. Being there reminded me of how impactful
those moments are and how important it is to keep supporting the next generation. Lastly, I’ve
continued working with the Family and Community Health program, assisting with outreach
and learning more about wellness education and nutrition resources. I have continued
participating in the Mobile Produce pantries, and it is still just as rewarding to see that program
firsthand. This work really showed me how Extension touches every part of community life,
from gardens to kitchens to classrooms.
With just a few weeks left, I’m grateful for everything this internship has taught me. I’ve grown
professionally, gained new skills and met so many inspiring people who are passionate about
helping others. It’s been an incredible season of growth for both the community and for me.
Hello again! Sienna Mahaffy here, checking back in after a busy, fun filled summer with Coos County Extension!
The county fair finished up a couple of weeks ago and was a huge success! My official project was once again organizing the annual Milk Drinking Contest for our 4-H members. I contacted sponsors to supply milk and prizes (huge thanks to Organic Valley and the Oregon Dairy Council) and lined up local dairy farmers to serve as line judges, pour milk and race against the winning team. While everything worked out in the end, I made the mistake of telling my dairy farmer volunteers to arrive at the same time the contest was starting instead of a few minutes early. This left me scrambling to set up with fewer people than I initially planned for, but I learned a valuable lesson in managing and communicating with volunteers. In the end, the audience and kids had tons of fun, so I considered this year’s contest a success!
Milk drinking contestants including the winning 4-H team, the dairy farmers they raced against, the rodeo court, and Sienna. Photo: Joe Wells
At the fair, I also took a larger role in assisting with the livestock judging contest and the operation of the Purple Cow, the Coos County 4-H’s ice cream and milkshake stand and one of our biggest fundraisers. Both endeavors rely heavily on volunteers and sometimes feel like barely organized chaos, but I have enjoyed the challenge of helping my supervisor, Elissa, run these events smoothly!
Last week, I finished my work in the cranberry bogs of Coos and Curry Counties by taking the last moth counts and removing the traps. Now Cassie, the ag agent, will analyze the data to continue making improvements in treatment protocols to help cranberry farmers! This part of my internship taught me a lot about aspects of Extension beyond 4-H. I learned just how tedious research can be; it requires repetition and precision, as insufficient or inaccurate data will cause inadequate results. However, I also realized how rewarding it is to work directly with farmers. They would stop me in the bogs with questions about treatment recommendations and I would forward these to Cassie, as I was not qualified to answer them: and other times just to chat. I learned so much from these small conversations about cranberries and the communities in the southern end of Coos County that I rarely visited growing up.
Sienna checking the moth traps in a cranberry bog. Photo: Joe Wells
This will likely be my last year as an Extension intern in Oregon, but I have loved my experience and recommend it to lots of my fellow students. I have enjoyed learning about the numerous aspects of Extension and seeing the impact it has on the communities it serves.
I’ve settled into a nice groove here at the Benton County Extension Office working with well water. I’ve spent time at several farmers markets testing water samples for nitrates and talking about treatment options, health impacts, causes of high nitrates in water and other potential contaminants with folks. I have made it out to Brownsville, down to Harrisburg for Summer Sounds, up to Stayton and more.
Jessalyn at the Philomath Farmers Market on June 29th. Photo: Jessalyn Horton
When I’m not out testing water, I’ve mostly been in the office creating and mailing advertising materials for our testing events. Lately I’ve been cleaning up the mailing addresses we use from old well logs using ArcGIS and my mad Microsoft Excel skills. That stuff is all necessary but not very exciting. What’s more exciting is when I get to go out on field trips.
I’ve been able to join Crystal Kelso, who works with Small Farms and Forestry here at Extension and also coordinates activities for local Veteran farmers, on a few of the Veteran events she’s organized. So far I have attended a beekeeping event at OSU’s apiary at the Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture and a farm tour out in Albany. The beekeeping event was particularly interesting since I was coming from a level of zero knowledge. I got to get up close and personal with one of the hives. By the end I was very ready to get some personal space back! I really liked the farm tour as well, I got to provide some information on an updated Oregon law that should help the farmer out and enjoyed listening and learning all about his land and the different things he’s trying out. These events provide a great opportunity to not only share resources with one another, but to help build community among people who have shared experiences. I look forward to continuing to attend these events even after my internship is done.
Jessalyn Horton is beekeeping at the Veteran Farmer Beekeeping Workshop on June 27th. Photo: Crystal Kelso
I also went up to the North Willamette Research and Extension Center’s (NWREC) Blueberry Field Day in late July. My fellow intern Taiva and I learned a ton about blueberries, best strategies for common pests and machine harvesting and saw some exciting research from PhD students. It’s an event that’s tailored to Oregon blueberry growers, so the information was fast and furious, but I appreciated being a sponge and seeing firsthand how OSU Extension bridges the gap between research and farmers. This week I’ll be attending a similar field day more locally on organic agriculture, heading back up to NWREC to offer nitrate testing at their open house, to the West Salem farmers market (more testing) and finishing up the week strong posted up at the OSU Extension information booth at the Polk County Fair on Friday evening. I’m excited to keep learning all summer long!
Since my last post, my weeks at Extension are flying by and I’m feeling more and more ingrained in Lane County’s projects and culture.
By far, the most exhilarating experience of my internship has been working at the Lane County Fair with our 4-H team for the 4-H and FFA Fair. Coming from a suburban background where my interactions with animals amounted to the occasional squirrel, witnessing the dedication, community and skill of 4-Hers at the fair was incredible. And even more so, I admired the efforts of 4-H families, volunteers and, of course, staff in aiding their success. While fair showed me just how much I still have to learn about this program, I’m impressed by how quickly I picked up the small details that enable an event as complex as fair to run smoothly; these being thorough and direct communication, knowing when to plan ahead and when to act in the moment and how to prioritize the public’s often contrasting needs.
A youth showman walking their steer to be groomed in the Lane County Fair’s Cattle Barn. Photo: Gracie Cox
A key takeaway from fair, and this experience as a whole, is that in public service, there is no “perfect” decision or program. There will always be unexpected (or even expected) hurdles, and the key to being successful in public-facing roles is embracing these challenges as learning opportunities. Even more, I’ve learned to focus on positive feedback and experiences to contextualize the less positive. Appreciating that, at the end of the day, your work has a net positive impact on the community is key to maintaining the vigor necessary to sustain yourself in this field. This is a lesson I plan on referring back to in all areas of my life, whether it be my education, career, relationships or as an overall approach to where and how I spend my time.
Gracie and Lane County 4-H’s EPA, Kate Hammarback, preparing materials for Master Showmanship at Lane County’s 4-H and FFA Fair. Photo: Elizabeth Gangwer
For future Extension interns, my advice is to throw yourself into the experience, even when it may be intimidating to try new things and potentially mess up. The “newness” of experiences and people at Extension is what makes this opportunity so beneficial. Lean into the aspects that you’re unfamiliar with and watch your confidence grow day by day. Those days will soon turn into weeks, which will turn into months, and all of a sudden, you’ll be preparing to tell Extension “goodbye.”
Hi! My name is Natalie Padilla, and I am currently an intern with the Oregon State University Extension Service in Clackamas County. I graduated from high school this year and am about to enter my first year of college at Oregon State University in the fall. Currently, I am hoping to study fisheries, wildlife and conservation sciences. One of the main goals I have for this internship is to learn how to talk to different types of people and continue to pass my knowledge on to others.
Natalie tabling at the First City Celebration in Oregon City. Photo: Macy Jones
Working with the SNAP-Ed and Family and Community Health has already educated me on things like nutrition, food safety and community outreach. So far, I have started being one of the leaders for the Walk with Ease program. We meet twice a week to provide information about staying healthy with arthritis, while also having dedicated time for stretching and walking. We also find time to include a Food Hero recipe to give out to participants for one of the two-day sessions. The participants can sample the dish and take home the recipe to recreate too. They are also provided with the nutritional and relevant food safety information.
Not only have I been able to help with Walk with Ease, but I have also been able to help with OC’s Free Food Markets at the DHS office. We hand out small bags highlighting different recipes, fruits or vegetables and matching spice or herb packets for recipes that month. Another opportunity we had was going to teach about MyPlate to elementary and middle schoolers at Naas Elementary School.
Our most recent tabling event was the Oregon City First City Celebration. Where Macy, I and others were able to tell observers about OSU Extension and the different programs that we offer! We had them spin a wheel and answer questions for a prize, let them take flyers and many other things. It was an overall great experience that allowed us to teach even more about Extension!
I am excited for even more opportunities to teach other people important knowledge and information.
Hi, my name is Cydney Stables, and I am the Agritourism intern for the Marion, Polk and Yamhill County offices. I recently graduated from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa with bachelor’s degrees in agricultural business, business administration, communications and economics. After this internship, I plan to attend Kansas State University to continue my education by pursuing a master’s in agricultural economics. My research thesis for my master’s will be focused on the economics surrounding Agritourism operations, which has made this internship a great fit for my future plans!
Tabling for surveys at Kiger Island Blues Blueberry Farm Photo: Mindi Miller Farm
So far, this internship has provided me with insight on various topics, critical issues and farm styles within the Agritourism sector. I have had the opportunity to hear from industry stakeholders, including supporting community groups, Extension staff, customers of Agritourism operations and farmers themselves about the benefits and drawbacks of being involved in this industry.
A major part of my internship includes traveling to farms across the state of Oregon to survey customers about their experiences. So far, I have toured and surveyed at three different locations including a lavender farm stand operation in Yamhill, a blueberry u-pick farm in Corvallis and a cidery and tasting room in Grants Pass. Each of these experiences have provided me with the opportunity to speak with numerous customers who attend these Agritourism operations, and I have witnessed first-hand the positive impact these on-farm experiences have on their outlook of agriculture.
Pears grown at Blossom Barn Cidery in Grants Pass. Photo: Cydney Stables
I am excited to continue my internship and to expand my knowledge and experiences with Agritourism operations throughout Oregon.
It has been a very busy summer in the Groundwater Education Program! We have only done about a third of our events but have done over 150 nitrate screenings of well water. Our goal is to do 500 nitrate tests by the end of the summer. This goal definitely seemed a bit ambitious at the beginning of the summer. But being this far along already, and with most of our bigger events still to come, I am confident we can reach this goal.
So far, we have had events in Linn, Benton, Marion, Lincoln and Polk counties. We have gone to farmers markets, community festivals, fairs and concerts in the park. Our busiest event so far was the Tri County Business Expo & Harrisburg, where we did about 70 tests! This event was a ton of fun. I got to talk to so many people about their wells and enjoy a lovely concert while doing so. Talking with community members is one of my favorite parts of this internship. I love when I can help people find the answers to their questions on wells and just hearing about so many different peoples’ experiences. At the Tri County Business Expo & Harrisburg Summer Sounds, we talked to almost 250 different people! We stayed very busy the whole event, but it was so much fun.
Jackie talking to community members at the Tri County Business Expo & Harrisburg Summer Sounds. Photo: Chrissy Lucas
I am definitely looking forward to doing more events over in Lincoln County on the coast. Although the drive there from Corvallis can be a bit long, the coast is one of my favorite spots. And we do not get to do a ton of events out there during the rest of the year.
I am also looking forward to the Corvallis neighborhood screening we scheduled for early September. Usually, we attend events that are already happening, such as farmers markets, to do nitrate screenings. For this event, we were invited by a homeowner to host a pop-up screening at her home. It has been a very different experience planning the screening with her directly. I am excited to see the turn out we get, since I have never done a neighborhood pop up like this before.
My name is Madeline Breiling, and I am now in my last week as a SNAP-Ed intern. Throughout my internship this summer, I have had the opportunity to assist and take the lead on many projects throughout Umatilla County. Reflecting on the work I’ve done this summer and in my past summers working with OSU Extension, I am very grateful that I’ve been exposed to the wide variety of outreach, engagement and support that OSU Extension brings to our communities in Umatilla County. Before applying for this internship three years ago, I had never heard of OSU Extension and now I tell everyone I know to get in contact with their local extension office.
Gage Meagher and Madeline Breiling at the Milton Freewater Farmers Market. Photo- Mars Alderson
This summer, I have had the opportunity to hand out free food samples and Food Hero recipes at both the Pendleton Farmers Market and the Milton Freewater Farmers Market. I’ve had a Food Hero table at both of these markets for the last two years, so I was excited to be back again this year. It has been fun to match recipes to the local fruits and vegetables that people can buy at the market. It has also been nice to develop more of a relationship with the local farmers and use their produce in our samples. At the Pendleton market, we also started a scavenger hunt where kids find stuffed fruits and vegetables that are hidden in different market booths. This is a lot of fun for the kids and an easy way to encourage families to stop at all of the booths and talk to the local farmers.
I also have had the opportunity to help teach the Growing Healthy Kids curriculum at the Hermiston summer schools and the Kids in the Kitchen curriculum in Athena. Over the last seven weeks of both classes, it has been really rewarding to see the kids gain more confidence in their cooking skills and become more adventurous eaters. Students come back each week to tell us how they have been cooking with their families at home. This week is the last week of our Growing Healthy Kids classes, and we get to take the students on a field trip to the community garden in Hermiston. They get to meet with some of the Master Gardeners and learn more about how to grow some of the fruits and vegetables that they’ve been cooking with. For the last week of the Kids in the Kitchen classes, they get to cook an entire three-course meal.
Madeline Breiling teaching the Growing Healthy Kids curriculum at the Hermiston summer school. Photo- Carolina Muniz.pdf
Last year, I handed out Food Hero food samples, recipes and information at the Pendleton food pantry and I’m glad I had the opportunity to do that again this year. In addition to the Pendleton food pantry, this year I also handed out information to the Blue Mountain Community College food pantry in Pendleton. It’s fun to figure out what Food Hero recipes can be made using the ingredients that the food pantries have excess of and to encourage people to take the ingredients.
This summer has truly flown by, and I am so grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve had through OSU Extension. I want to thank Shevon Hatcher, Carolina Muniz, Karen Wagner and all of the other Umatilla County OSU Extension employees who have made my last three summers enjoyable and educational.
My name is Lucia Rocha, and as a 38-year-old mother of two, I am not what usually comes to
mind when you think of a typical college intern. My road to higher education hasn’t been easy
or linear. It’s been shaped by grief, perseverance and a deep desire to create a life of purpose
for myself and my family.
Lucia Rocha smiling with her two children at her recent graduation from Chemeketa Community College. Photo: Rosy VanHorn
Growing up in a low-income household, college wasn’t something my parents could afford for
me. I entered the workforce right after high school and quickly worked my way up. Then, as I
began to grow in my career, my mother and I were in a car accident that took her life.
Heartbroken, I pushed forward and continued working hard and trying to rebuild my life.
My perseverance and potential were recognized by the company’s owner, who awarded me a
small scholarship. This reignited my dreams of pursuing a higher education. I enrolled in college
and worked full-time while attending school full-time, determined to succeed. But just as I was
nearing the completion of my degree, the company went out of business. I lost my job,
scholarship and once again had to put my education on hold.
I soon started a new job, worked hard and found stability in my career. Shortly after, I became a
mother, and my dreams of a higher education were pushed even further back. Just as I was
preparing for a promotion, my brother and 12-year-old niece passed away unexpectedly. Their
loss reminded me just how fragile life is and forced me to reflect on what truly mattered.
In late 2023, I made the difficult decision to leave behind the career I had worked so hard to
build and return to school full-time. Although not an easy choice, it was the best choice for my
children and me. I wanted them to see that it’s never too late to start over or chase your
dreams.
My hard work and dedication paid off. This June, I received my associate’s degree in business
from Chemeketa Community College. I was also awarded the Ford Family Foundation
Opportunity Scholarship to pursue my bachelor’s degree at Oregon State University. I have the
honor of interning with the Oregon State University Extension Service in Marion County, where
I support the Juntos and Open Campus programs. I’ve spent much of my life in service to
others, through my work at the Oregon Department of Human Services, creating a youth group
at my church, co-founding a nonprofit and volunteering in my children’s schools.
Jerry Phillips presents Lucia Rocha with an award from the Ford Foundation Scholarship Award Ceremony. Photo: Keri Blue Photography
This internship has given me something new: the opportunity to serve my community while
growing in my role as a student and professional. So far, I’ve been helping with outreach to high
school graduates, guiding them through college orientation, registering for classes and
whatever they may need as they step into their future. I’ve reached out to students and
families in both English and Spanish, offering support in a way that feels natural to who I am.
It’s been rewarding to be that helping hand, especially for families who might otherwise feel
unsure about navigating these systems.
What I’ve appreciated most is having a unique opportunity to connect with students, parents
and the passionate professionals I’m learning from. I am currently in all their shoes, which
allows me to connect with them in a way that not all interns can. However, even with my
experience, I’m still growing, I’m still learning and I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity.
This internship isn’t just a stepping stone, it’s part of a bigger journey, a reminder that starting
over isn’t failure; it’s a choice. And sometimes, it’s the bravest one we can make. I am excited
for the future, both in and out of this internship.
