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.
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 3rd 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.