Hello again! My name is Natalie Padilla and this summer I have had the opportunity to work as
an intern at the Oregon State University Extension Service in Clackamas County Extension office
in the SNAP-Ed, Family and Community Health program and recently even the Small Farms
program as well. I have spent this summer gaining new experiences and having the chance to
learn about so many different things! Now that September is here, I am nearing the end of my
internship and I am extremely grateful that it has been possible to do something like this.
As I mentioned, I am currently working with the Small Farms program. Macy, my fellow intern
at the office was given the chance to start working as SF interns this summer, which keeps us
even busier with more opportunities. We were able to finish up some of the social media posts
for the Small Farms Facebook and Instagram accounts. Once or twice a week, we go to NWREC
in Aurora to harvest Bitter Gourds and different Cucamelons. Most of what we have been
harvesting has been going to Salem Harvest, a non-profit organization who focuses on feeding
hungry families. It has been refreshing to see that what we have been harvesting is going to be
used to feed people that need it and they are not going to waste!
Not only have we been out in the field, one of the biggest things we have been working on is
preparing for Small Farm School at NWREC. SFS will host around 300 people who are excited to
learn about everything Ag related. To prepare I helped, along with Buffy Rhoades and Tanya
Kindrachuk to make around 400+ craisin oatmeal balls by hand. It was definitely an interesting
learning experience since I have never really cooked for that many people. Macy and I have also
been preparing nametags, and stuffing packets for the attendees of SFS. There have also been
some tiny side projects that we have to complete occasionally!
On the SNAP-Ed and FCH side of things, I am keeping busy as well but as my internship and
summer nears its end it is slowing down a little bit. Our last Walk With Ease class was
September 4th. It was a nice closing, and I am glad that we were able to do that bit of outreach
for people. I also helped at the OC Free Food Market on the 2nd and we have the last one to do
on the 11th.
Even though my internship is ending I am glad that it was a learning experience and that I can
say that I had the chance to help in some way. Being an OSU intern has taught me so much and
I have been able to grow through the summer and meet so many wonderful people, who have
also taught me so much.
