Hello! I’m Emma Branson, the intern for OSU Extension in Lane County. I’m a sophomore at the University of Oregon majoring in environmental science with a minor in secondary educational foundations. Since my last blog post, I have enjoyed designing community outreach projects, exploring new tools for my career and leading summer 4-H efforts!
Throughout the summer, I designed multiple themes for spin-to-win wheels to engage community members at events with our Family & Community Health program. The themes are intended to introduce some basic health information while keeping the mood lighthearted including hydration, bone health, the farmers’ market and nutrition. This project was fun to design an interactive outreach method, coordinate logistics and collaborate with staff along the way. We now have a finished copy of the themes for each office in Lane County to reach more communities with our resources!
In early August, I participated in the Virtual Canopy training through Forestry and Natural Resources which showed educators how to use a VR headset program that addresses safety education and career exposure within the forest sector for students. I met some amazing professionals in our community and discussed the many ways we interact with forestry and natural resources daily. This was an amazing opportunity to experience the power of cutting-edge technology and education, all thanks to Extension, which I hope to integrate with my future career.
Of course, the summer has been packed with 4-H fun! I took initiative to create some engaging 4-H lessons and activities for leaders and their clubs. I’m grateful for the opportunity to expand this project and create a meaningful contribution to my 4-H community using my passion for agricultural education. I’ve centered the activities around hands-on engagement, teamwork and thought-provoking discussions to balance learning with fun! Topics covered include biosecurity and farm mapping, market retail cuts and anatomy, basic animal needs and animal health issues. This project opened my eyes to the challenges volunteers face and how to build systems that best support their goals. My intention is to provide volunteers with a bank of educational resources for wherever they meet, at any time of year, of all ages.
At the end of the summer, I happily worked alongside staff and youth from across Oregon to clean and set up the 4-H statics exhibit hall at the state fair! The pride and care the youth took into preparing the space for 4-H was an uplifting reminder of OSU Extension’s positive impact in our communities. I’m grateful to the people and programs at OSU Extension, especially in Lane County, who have inspired me to connect with my community face-to-face and address real problems with hands-on, healthy solutions.
