Internship solidified my plans to work for Extension after graduation

Ashley Armstrong presenting the Champion Herdsmanship award.
Photo credit: Kayla Sheets

Hello again from Josephine County 4-H! This is Ashley Armstrong, finishing up my final week here as an intern. This summer has been amazing, and I have learned so very much, through talking with my supervisor, Lisa Parlette, 4-H outreach program coordinator; talking to our youth members and adult volunteers and getting to plan and put on events during the Josephine County Fair.

Though this year’s fair looked different for 4-H, it didn’t stop us from having a great time. In the weeks leading up to fair there was a lot of work put into updating our static displays, and it certainly paid off in the end. So much time was put into creating new banners, new display boards and other décor so that all of our youth were given opportunity to see their project shine. We even broke out our Clover mascot costume to invite people into our static display room.

Clover at the Josephine County Fair 4-H Static Exhibit.
Photo credit: Kayla Sheets

During my time in 4-H I showed both dairy goats and poultry, and one of my goals was to one day make it to master showmanship. Our round-robin competition looked different this year than it had in the past, but I think some of the changes that had to be made were for the better. Normally in a round-robin competition we would have different animals – cavies, dairy goats, dogs, horses, meat goats, poultry, sheep, steer and swine – shown by the grand champion showman for each animal.

Ashley Armstrong and Lisa Parlette presenting Master Showmanship awards.
Photo Credit: Brooke Armstrong

This year we had no steer or horse projects, so instead of shortening our round-robin, we chose a random reserve grand champion from large and small animal to be our wild card contestants. This meant that as we rotated through, there would be a period where the participants would be showing the same animal twice, so instead we turned those spots into water breaks. Having planned this show and executed it with the help of our animal superintendents, I was so happy when things went smoothly.

I think the best part was at the end while scores were being tallied, the 10 kids we had waiting in the ring for the announcement were happy, joking with each other and hugging. The joy they showed when their fellow 4-H’er was placed was indescribable, and I think my ears are still recovering from the happy yelling when I announced our master showman.

This internship has taught me so much and has only solidified my plans to work in Extension and 4-H when I graduate in June. Though there are times where I am incredibly tired from the work done through the day, I wouldn’t trade the work I have done this summer for anything.