Extension has been a part of my family since before I was born. My family has been preserving food for decades. My mom learned from her mom and mother-in-law, and I learned from her. As my mom looked for safe canning recipes in the early 90’s, she turned to the Extension Service for help. From Extension, she found a recipe for salsa that would become a part of my family’s summers for decades. In April of 1990, according to the date on the bottom of the paper, my mom picked up a recipe for salsa. The salsa recipe, in a packet with a couple of other recipes printed on pink paper, became a family staple. We have made that salsa, using that same paper, for 34 years now.
Now, as a college student exploring my options, I have also turned to Extension, though for slightly different reasons. As I look for possible career paths and avenues of study, the OSU Extension service is where I have landed. A career in Extension connects research with the public. It helps farmers, families and the surrounding community use new ideas to solve real problems. My goal is to work as an Extension agent who shares useful knowledge, supports local growth and builds strong community ties.
Extension work plays such an important role in the community by acting as a bridge between the academic work of universities and everyday people. Extension programs serve as a critical link between academic research and the practical needs of local communities. By translating complex scientific data into accessible, actionable tools, Extension agents empower individuals and businesses to implement proven best practices.
My own desire to work within Extension programming stems from a deep commitment to meaningful community service and public impact. I want to build a career where my daily efforts directly improve the lives of the people around me; Extension provides the perfect framework to turn that goal into reality. By working at the crossroads of education and community, I look forward to giving back to the community, helping my neighbors with their questions, and equipping families with the tools they need to thrive.
-Emily Braibish, OSU Extension intern in Benton and Linn Counties