Aspen Bowling « OSU Extension Internship Program

Hello! My name is Aspen Bowling, and I am currently in week five of my summer internship with the OSU Extension Service in Clatsop County. This fall, I will be entering my fourth year at Oregon State University, where I am pursuing a degree in agricultural science with a minor in agricultural and natural resource communications. This is my second summer interning with OSU Extension, and returning has given me the opportunity to continue building on the experiences and skills I gained last year.

Aspen holds up an Oregon State University pennant; Go Beavs! Photo: Cayden Pricolo

One of the most valuable parts of this internship has been seeing the broad scope of OSU Extension and learning how many different programs work together to serve our communities. Before joining OSU Extension, I knew very little about everything it offered. Over the past two summers, I have had the opportunity to work with programs such as 4-H Youth Development, Master Gardener, Small Farms and Oregon Sea Grant. Each program has a unique mission, but they all share the common goal of providing research– based education and resources that improve the lives of Oregonians.

Throughout the internship, I have been able to take part in many hands– on experiences that have helped me better understand OSU Extension’s impact. I have participated in dock walks with Oregon Sea Grant, where we educated the public about seafood and commercial fishing industries. I have been able to represent Extension at local farmers’ markets, helping answer questions about soil and connect community members with available programs and resources. I have also volunteered at local food pantries through the Family and Community Health program, where we helped distribute healthy food information and educational materials to families. I have also had the opportunity to help with several youth activities through 4-H, which has been one of my favorite parts of the summer.

Aspen asks questions to a cloverbud participant regarding her home economics project. Photo: Alisabeth Ogier

One of the highlights of my internship so far was serving as a judge for the 4-H Home Economics Skills Contest. It was inspiring to watch the youth demonstrate their knowledge, creativity and confidence while showcasing the skills they have developed through 4-H. Seeing the pride they took in their work reminded me of the positive impact Extension programs have on young people and how these experiences help build lifelong skills. It was rewarding to play a small role in encouraging and recognizing their hard work.

Returning for a second summer has also allowed me to strengthen my skills in social media management, graphic design, photography, educational outreach and communication. As I prepare to enter my fourth year of college, this internship has reinforced my passion for agriculture, communications and community education. It has shown me how OSU Extension connects university research with local communities while creating opportunities for people of all ages to learn and grow. I am grateful to continue learning from the dedicated faculty, staff, volunteers and community partners in Clatsop County, and I look forward to making the most of the rest of my internship.

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! My name is Aspen Bowling, and I’m currently serving as an intern with the Oregon State
University Extension Service Clatsop County, located in Astoria. This is my first year as an
Extension intern, and it’s already been an incredible opportunity to gain hands-on experience
that’s shaping my understanding of community-based agriculture and outreach. I just completed
my sophomore year at Oregon State University, where I’m majoring in agricultural science with
a minor in agricultural and natural resources communications. Agriculture has always been a big
part of my life as I grew up in California’s Central Valley, where I was actively involved in both 4-
H and FFA. Those early experiences helped spark my passion for ag education and community
engagement.

Aspen Bowling, an intern in Clatsop County, manages the Food Hero information table at a Mobile Produce Pantry event. Photo: Emily Reilly

Now wrapping up my third week with the Extension Service, I’ve had the chance to work
alongside our Small Farms and Master Gardener program coordinator, as well as our Family
and Community Health and SNAP-Ed coordinator. From checking cover crops and collecting
data to supporting mobile food banks, every day brings something new and meaningful.

One highlight so far has been participating in the Mobile Produce Pantry here in Clatsop
County. The local food bank packs up fresh produce and travels to different communities across
the county, distributing food at no cost to residents. At these events, I set up a Food Hero
information table where I share recipes, nutrition tips and quick facts about the produce being
distributed. We also prepare and offer samples of a featured Food Hero recipe, showing
community members simple, healthy ways to use the food they receive. It feels rewarding to see
how happy people get over their free fresh produce.

One of the more exciting projects I’ve been involved with is our cover crop data collection, which
supports local farmers in Clatsop County. Cover crops are important tools for improving soil
health, reducing erosion and managing pests and weeds, but farmers need localized data to
know what works best in our region. This data isn’t just for research but, it will be used to
develop practical, region-specific recommendations for local producers. We use this information
to organize farmer workshops and field days, where we can share results, demonstrate crop
varieties in action and offer guidance on how to integrate them.

This internship has already given me so many valuable experiences, and I’m looking forward to
what’s still to come. I’m proud to be a part of the OSU Extension team and excited to continue
supporting our local farmers and families!

OSU Extension Internship Program

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OSU Extension intern connects passion for ag with community impact

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