NRCS 2024 Summer Internship West National Technology Support Center | Portland, Oregon

Week 3

This week was full of field visits in remote areas, to the Plant Material Center and to a community garden here in Milwaukee, OR. Our first field visit was to a SNOTEL site in USFS land near the South Fork Bull Run River. We met with Soil Scientist Anthony Corolla and had the opportunity to watch him at work. Along with another Soil Scientist, we learned how to determine the best area for a soil pit, the work it takes to mark horizons and collect samples, the clod method, and how to install soil probes. Allen Buckman, a hydrologist for SNOTEL also joined and showed us the hard work it takes to install soil moisture probes. We helped Allen with digging out the trench that leads from the data tower to the soil pit. It was very interesting to learn from Allen how SNOTEL will use the soil moisture data and how this data is available to the public so Soil Scientists can use it in their own explorations.

The other major field visit was going to the Plant Material Center in Corvallis to learn about the center and what research is being done. We learned these centers are based on different environments which is why there is usually only one per state, if that. Amy Bartow, the PMC manager explained how they are growing plants on the Federally Endangered Species List, so they can harvest seeds to be used in the wild. This form of farming helps populations continue to survive in the wild as people won’t be going out to harvest seeds from wild plants. I had the chance of transplanting some endangered Lupin. The crew also showed us a potential method they might use to harvest seed using machinery. After touring the facility and getting to help out I quickly realized this would be a place I would want to work at.

The last visit we had was with Stephanie Payne, an Urban Conservationist located in the Portland Metropolitan Area. We visited one of the USDA’s People Garden here in Portland. Growing Gardens is located next to the Milwaukee Hospital and grow food for both the community and patients. Through the hospital test kitchen, Growing Gardens provides the product used to teach classes to patients who are pre diabetic, diabetic, or any other diet restricting health issues. It reminded me of Flowers and Bullets back in Tucson, AZ and great to see how Stephanie aimed her questions to reveal what resource concerns they are facing at the garden.

Week 4

Coming from a very busy week, this week I found myself in the office more with one field visit to the Salem field office. I had the chance to talk with Sara Alexander, a data development specialist at the Smithsonian. I learned she is one of the scientists in charge of inputting data to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). Using ITIS in both my class and previous research, it was amazing being able to talk to someone who works for ITIS and learn about how the website works behind the scenes. I had the opportunity to brush up on my GIS skills with Steve Campell and get an introduction to how NRCS uses Web Soil Survey and GIS to create different maps to answer specific questions.

At the Salem field office I got to hear from Theresa Brehm, a soil conservationist who briefed us the irrigation work Marion county is doing and the great response farmers are having to the program. I also had the chance to learn more about NRCS easements, how they work, and how these easements are permanent no matter if the land owner changes. Last week, I met with Rob McAfee, the NRCS Urban Agriculture Coordinator and worked with him to identify resource concerns in this Urban Ag study. It was a great way for me to learn more about the NRCS conservation practices but also help develop questions around urban agriculture and the work that needs to be done to address resource concerns in an urban setting.

Week 5

With how great the visit to the PMC went, I expressed to my supervisor how much I would like to go back and help and this week I did exactly that. The majority of my week was spent at the PMC in Corvallis and I stayed in a hotel in town to make my commute to work shorter. Not only did I get to learn more about what plant material centers do within NRCS but I also explored Oregon. I had the chance to learn about the Springbank Clover being grown in the field and help determine if enough of the plant is blooming to determine if seed should be harvested or rather take a biomass sample. I was able to help with the collection, label the bags, and organize it all in the greenhouse. Another big part was weeding the study fields with tools or by hand. For plants like the Hairy Vetch, which is used as a winter cover crop, it is best to pull out by hand because it was growing next to endangered lupin. In other fields, it was mainly using the hula hoes or a hori hori to remove all the weeds. During this time, I got to ask what people study to work at the PMC and the different positions available. Most importantly, I learned that even if my degree isn’t in horticulture my experience can replace the educational requirements when it comes to applying for government jobs.

Week 6

This week was the state wide intern training camp in Redmond, Oregon. It included all pathways and NRCDP students and a great way for all interns to meet because in my case I only get to see the state interns because they are in the same building. It was filled with trips to farms, easements, soil health demonstrations and learning about the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs which include Warm Springs, Wasco and Paiute Native American Tribes. This week was filled with learning from Wetland Easement Specialist, Wildlife Biologist, Archaeologist, and from Soil Scientist and a Soil Survey lead. Since Redmond is considered a high desert it was fascinating to see a different ecosystem in Oregon. I was even able to practice some sagebrush plant id I learned at the UA. The most breathtaking experience was being able to stand right next to a part of the Deschutes River that is on the Forest Service. I had to practice the SVAP 2 again and see some of the aquatic insects that helped characterize the water quality. The trip ended with a panel of different NRCS employees and had the opportunity to learn how they got to their position and the benefits of working for NRCS.

Week 7

This was one of the most impactful weeks I have had in the internship. It first started out with a field visit to Clear Branch Dam in Mt Hood, OR and not only were there amazing views but a great deal of history surrounding the construction of the dam. It was built on top of a moraine which is caused by the debris left over after constant glacial moving. Since its creation in the 1960s it has experienced water slowly moving out because of the soil material around it. I learned about how they plan to continue to stabilize the dam, the extensive timeframe for a job like this, and the importance the dam plays for the community and aquatic life. I also had the chance to visit two dairy farms in Tillamook, OR. This was a brand new experience for me and had the chance to ask many questions regarding dairy operations and see the difference between a more traditional dairy farm and a modern dairy farm. I learned the different breeds of dairy cows and the pros they each have, when pregnant cows are not milked and on “vacation” and how they care for sick cows in their herd. More importantly, I got to learn where my milk comes from and carry that with me every time I purchase a Tillamook product.