\nstudent with an emphasis in communications and conflict resolution at Oregon State University. I
\nam originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, but Oregon won me over with its mountains,
\noceans and huge trees!<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/osu-wams-blogs-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com\/blogs.dir\/3908\/files\/2025\/07\/credit-is-Jessayln-Horton-Taiva-Steed-working-at-the-Brownsville-Farmers-Market-748x1024.png\")
\n In the future, I hope to work as an environmental mediator, someone who helps people
\ncome together to solve environmental and social challenges. I’m particularly interested in
\nworking internationally and for people’s voices that are often underrepresented in these
\nconversations. This is why working for OSU Extension is perfect for me because it allows me to
\nconnect with different communities and learning from people with all kinds of perspectives.<\/p>\n
This is my first summer as an intern for OSU Extension, and I am working for the
\nGroundwater Protection Program out of Benton County. So far, I have been traveling to farmers
\nmarkets across Oregon, offering free nitrate screenings for well water and sharing educational
\nmaterials to community members about healthy drinking water, wells and septic systems. It has
\nbeen such a fun way to spend time outdoors, meeting new people and learning more about
\nOregon! I have only been to a handful of events so far, but I already feel how meaningful this
\nwork is, and how much I still have to learn.<\/p>\n
When I am not working at a screening clinic, I am helping plan future events. This
\nincludes figuring out where we will go next, making social media posts and designing postcards
\nand flyers to help advertise these events. I also spend time in the office learning about all things
\ngroundwater, wells and septic systems. Coming from a city background, most of this is brand
\nnew to me, and it has broadened my scope of the different ways people live and how those
\ndifferences can impact someone’s health and daily concerns.<\/p>\n
I’m excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to explore what OSU Extension has to offer. I
\nhave plans to explore the other OSU Extension programs like Small Farms and Master
\nGardeners. I’m looking forward to more farmers markets, more community conversations and
\ncontinuing to learn why it’s important to protect our water!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hello! My name is Taiva Steed, and I’m heading into my third year as a natural resources student with an emphasis in communications and conflict resolution at Oregon State University. I am originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, but Oregon won me over with its mountains, oceans and huge trees! In the future, I hope to… Continue reading