4-H « OSU Extension Internship Program

Hello! I am Georgette Brewer, and this is my first blog of my summer internship at the Oregon State University Extension Office in Lincoln County. I have been working currently for four weeks now and things have already been exciting and I have had many valuable experiences. However, I know that there are more to come as I continue to work for the Extension Service over the remaining course of the summer of 2024.

Georgette Brewer working in the OSU Extension office in Lincoln County. Photo: Georgette Brewer

As a recent graduate, I am not too sure where my major or minor will fall into. I have considered different careers, but I have narrowed my decision between two different fields of work that are forensic science and animal science. If I choose the forensic field in the future, my career goal is to either be a forensic anthropologist, or a blood spatter analyst. On the other hand, if I decide to go into animal science, I was thinking about something like equine science or herpetology, which is the study of lizards or reptiles.

What I am hoping to get out of this summer with working for the Extension Service in Lincoln County, is mostly work experience. This internship is my first job, so I am hoping to get a glimpse of the job field, what it looks like, and give me an idea of what I would experience. I am also open to learning new things, eager to help where I can, and enjoy working with my hands and OSU’s Extension Services offer a wide range of topics and knowledge to learn and explore that indulge all those areas. My previous experience with the Extension Service is very minimal as I only knew that it had connection to 4-H, a program that I have participated in since I was in middle school. I have served as a junior leader with the Anchor Point Archery Club that Shelley Spangler runs in Newport. Currently, I am just out of high school, so I am learning my way around the 4-H aspect of things, so I do not have a project in mind. One of the things I do see, on the other hand, is that staff can use help with organizing files and other documents.

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

Hi again, Sienna Mahaffy from Coos County here! This summer has been pretty incredible. I got to work with the Food Hero program multiple times, educating the public on the resource through farmers markets and cooking classes! I also got to spend a day working in the field with Coos and Curry County’s forestry agent, tracking down and collecting samples of a new disease that is causing defoliation of myrtle trees. The Coos County Fair was crazy busy, but super successful, definitely the highlight of my summer. A year’s worth of preparation by the Oregon State University Extension Service in Coos County, 4-H members, and volunteers culminated into a busy, stressful, and fun week.

Sienna Mahaffy at a Food Hero Booth in Coos County Photo: Nicole Wells

I had a blast with my internship project. I was responsible for restarting the annual Milk Drinking Contest under 4-H at the fair. I enjoyed reaching out to my contacts in the dairy industry to ask for donations of milk and prizes. Working with local dairy farmers at the event and bringing positive attention to the industry with the record number of participants and crowds made the event so much more rewarding. It was remarkable to see the excitement generated by a simple relay race and the effect it had on the 4-H kids, families, and visitors of the fair.

Assisting in the organization and operations of the Livestock Judging and Master Showmanship contests was another highlight of fair. I was responsible for rounding up volunteers and animals for judging, as well as helping the event run smoothly. I also assisted in finding judges for Master Showmanship, asking former winners and professionals in their species to judge. In both events I and a couple volunteers calculated and recorded the scores of the contestants, a long, tedious job that I actually enjoyed.

Through this internship I learned the importance of delegating responsibilities. 4-H is an incredible program run by some incredible people, but it would be impossible to operate without volunteers and the community’s willingness to help. Coos County’s two 4-H agents are great at their jobs, but they can not be everywhere and do everything, so they ask for help and delegate duties that need to be completed to willing and responsible volunteers, or interns in my case!

I am Matthew Harting and I am a mechanical engineering student at Oregon State University. This summer I have been working at the OSU Extension office in Douglas County for 4-H. I haven’t had any prior experience with the Extension Service and my experience with agriculture is also limited. Nevertheless, I have been learning a lot about 4-H and am very grateful for the opportunity to intern with the Extension office.

Mathew Harting painting at 4-H Clover Bud Camp in Douglas County

Recently, I got the opportunity to teach at the Cloverbud camp in the Discovery Gardens in Roseburg. I was in charge of an exhibit called ‘The Mud Explosion’. When I informed the 4-Hers of this, you may imagine, their anticipation and curiosity were captured. Little did they know, the real display is better described as a small pop. However, they seemed not to care which I was thankful for.

I did the routine three times for three groups. By the time of the third group, I had gotten pretty good at it. The ‘explosion’ worked by filling a vial with runny mud and sealing it with an Alka-Seltzer. Eventually, the Alka-Seltzer would produce enough gass that it would blow open the vial it was in and make a muddy mess all over the launch pad (construction paper). The highest we vial we were able to launch landed in a small tree. Whomever wished to take the remaining muddy paper home then would be able to, undoubtedly to their parents’ delight.

Beyond the Cloverbud camp, I most look forward to the looming Douglas County Fair. Most of the work I have done thus far in my internship has been in preparation it. Before I became involved, I didn’t fully realize or appreciate all of the work it takes to have a county fair every year. I’m well aware now.

My job there will be to help with the daily tasks, such as counting and running ribbons to the appropriate places as well as any odd job that may come up and require attention. I am looking forward to this a lot! Regardless, in my second blog post I’m sure I will have plenty to say regarding Fair.

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.”

Hello! My name is Trinitie Long-Hindman and I am beyond excited to be interning with Oregon State University Extension Service here in Lane County. I am currently a Lane Community College student where I am getting my associate degree in human services, with aspirations to move on to Portland State University. My area of interest is interacting with youth. I enjoy working with youth because it allows me to be part of tomorrow’s leaders and I find that fulfilling and with this internship I will be able to be a part of that.

Trinitie Long-Hindman in Lane County with shapes activity artwork. Photo: Trinitie Long-Hindman

I began my internship with 4-H at the STEM camp that was hosted in Lane County, at our office. Within this camp the youth interacted with various activities regarding Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. 4-H program focuses on empowering young people through hands-on learning experiences. One of my main responsibilities was to help organize and facilitate workshops for this camp. I enjoyed interacting with the youth participants who were enthusiastic and eager to learn. I love being blessed with the opportunity to guide them through challenges, celebrate their successes, and witness their development into confident individuals.

I also began working with SNAP-Ed at the Bethel Farm Camp. With this camp we showed 4th and 5th grade students how to make healthy food recipes. We provided them a hands-on learning experience while promoting healthy eating habits. In addition, I have also spent time working with forestry. This week I made an outline for a new episode for the podcast In the Woods. For this episode we will talk about youth and forestry and what programs are available to youth in our community.

Looking ahead I will be helping organize and prepare for the Lane County Fair and summer Extension camps. I am eager to experience these up-coming events. In addition to be able to enhance my professional abilities. I am given a unique chance to develop a diverse skill set that spans community outreach, education program design, and (my favorite) youth engagement. I am beyond ecstatic about the prospect of growth both personally and professionally, and I look forward to leveraging this experience to build a solid foundation for my future career.

Hello everyone!

I’m Daisy O’Hearn, and this summer has been an incredible journey for me as an intern with the Oregon State University Extension Service, focusing on their youth development program known as 4-H. This opportunity has not only helped me learn more about nonprofits but also showed me event planning and execution.

Daisy O'Hearn Lincoln County Fair with pig — Daisy O’Hearn at Lincoln County fair with a pig. Photo: Daisy O’Hearn

I was in the 4-H program for 10 years and that is how I learned about OSU Extension but now I know so much more about it. OSU Extension helps people in Oregon with community projects, youth programs (like 4-H), managing natural resources and much more. It provides knowledge and support to communities to help improve and support them.

Currently, I am a student at the University of Oregon, majoring in political science with minors in legal studies and nonprofit administration. Post-college, I hope to pursue a master’s degree in nonprofit management followed by attending law school. My passion for the nonprofit sector stems from a genuine enjoyment of this work and its meaningful impact on communities. My experience with OSU Extension has shown me that I want to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector.

Throughout my internship, I’ve been involved in many different tasks, with a significant focus on preparing for the Lincoln County Fair, which takes place over the 4th of July weekend. Leading up to the fair, I conducted a workshop aimed at equipping 4-H youth with the skills to clean and shear their sheep, ensuring they were well-prepared for showcasing their animals.

During the fair itself, I found myself immersed in various projects. I had the opportunity to assist judges during the fair, ensuring that competitions ran smoothly and participants were supported. I also worked at the OSU Extension booth, where I helped educate the public about the valuable services and resources available. Then working at the 4-H market allowed me to engage directly with community members and show the achievements of 4-H youth. Throughout these experiences, I was always ready to contribute wherever I was needed.

This marks my second year as an intern with the OSU Extension Service, and this summer, my goal is to hone my fundraising skills and deepen my knowledge of the nonprofit world. Being part of the 4-H program and the OSU Extension Service has been incredibly rewarding. It’s not just about learning event planning or improving my knowledge of the nonprofit world; it’s about making a real difference in the lives of people in my community. As I continue my internship, I look forward to the opportunities and experiences that come with it.

Hello, my name is Abigail Cape, and I am an intern for Oregon State University Extension in Polk County 4-H in Dallas. I am going into my second year at Oregon State University majoring in psychology with a minor in music. After I graduate, I am — as of right now — hoping to go to graduate school to get my doctorate in psychology. For my future career I hope to either have a career as a counselor with a specialty in trauma and PTSD or becoming a counselor for teens and young adults. My past experience with Oregon State University Extension Service primarily is being a member of 4-H for nine years, and volunteering with 4-H for a year. Throughout my time in 4-H I showed rabbits, bred and owned market rabbits, turkeys, and bred and owned market turkeys, as well as various leadership roles.

Abigail Cape horse clinic in Polk County — Abigail Cape helping at a horse clinic in Polk County. Photo: Abigail Cape

Over this summer I hope to learn about how the behind the scenes of fair and setting up classes for 4-H youth. One thing that I am really looking forward to this summer as an intern is my internship project and helping out with our county fair. For my project I am planning a showmanship clinic for small animals. My plan is to create a class that will cover various areas that can help youth improve their showmanship skills like, show presence, handling and show knowledge. This class will be conducted by slides and an in person class that will also be recorded so that the class can be used in future years. The clinic will be separated into four parts: show and barn attire, show presence, knowledge, and animal safety. I wanted to create this class, because when I was first showing I wasn’t given a lot of this information and had to learn as I went. I hope that this class can help people get introduced to this information in a stress-free environment. I love 4H and am so excited to help Polk County 4H in any way I can, and I can’t wait to see what this summer has in store for me.

OSU Extension Internship Program

Tag Archives: 4-H

OSU Extension intern hopes to gain work experience

Extension intern returns to 4-H in a larger role

OSU Extension intern starts Milk Drinking Contest at Fair

OSU Extension intern receives a muddy introduction to 4-H

Oregon State Extension intern looking forward to becoming graduate student

OSU Extension intern brings Cupcake Wars to Umatilla County pre-fair

OSU Extension intern steps into a new chapter

Today’s Extension intern, tomorrow’s leader

Extension intern in Lincoln County immersed in 4-H projects

OSU Extension Polk County intern works with 4-H youth

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