Summer Internship Program: Louisa County

Primary Program Area Focus: 4-H  

1. Describe your plans for this internship.  (i.e. What specifically will the intern be doing?)

The Louisa County internship will provide great exposure to an Extension career, including special projects, programming to meet community needs, and exposure to interdisciplinary programming by the office team. The intern will work under the direction of the 4-H Extension Agent/Unit Coordinator and in partnership with the office’s 4-H Program Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent and the Family Nutrition Program Assistant.

The Louisa office staff is committed to a positive internship experience and will be flexible in allowing and encouraging the intern to develop programs or experiences in specific areas of personal interest, if those programs meet locally identified needs. Candidates will work on planned programs but will also be able to customize the internship as needed.

Specific programs that will involve the intern include:

• Assist with Camp preparation (June 3-7, 2024) –attend a portion of camp and teach class if interested.

• Assist with the development and implementation of a series of workshops related to livestock and horse programming including showing and fitting clinics, animal health and safety.

•  Assist with the development and implementation of knowledge-based day camps such as stockmen’s and hippology camps, and natural resource camps.

•  Assume a large role in planning and managing short-term (summer long) clubs.

• Assume a leadership role in providing and managing 4-H programs and Extension presence at the Louisa County Agriculture Fair (July 26-28, 2024)

   

2. Describe the knowledge/skills you expect the intern to gain from the experience?  

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

• Awareness of VCE program areas and corresponding events.

• Understanding of the correlation between VCE programming and community viability.

• Time management through a varied schedule that will be dependent on programs planned and stakeholder needs.

• Planning and Organizational skills through program delivery, data handling and program support.  

•  4-H Camp preparation, forms, policies, and procedures.

• Resources available to Extension Agents (FCS, ANR), and related procedures and responsibilities.

• Extensive computer use, especially Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Google Drive. 

   

3. How will the intern learn about the breadth of VCE and our various program areas?

The intern will work with all three program areas (4-H, FCS, ANR), including three agents, one full-time 4-H Program Educator, and a unit support staff, to gain a better understanding of programs provided by VCE and the planning that goes into quality, educational, community-based programs. They will shadow the FCS and ANR Agents on at least one program. A strong office team is currently in place and the intern will be expected to join the team approach to programming. There may also be opportunities to partner with Extension staff and interns from neighboring counties for specific programs. 

The intern’s training and responsibilities will be carried out in a hands-on manner. This is a chance for the intern to be trained by VCE and then educate the community based on this training and under the supervision of Extension staff. The intern will gain an understanding of and appreciation for the role that VCE plays in the community through partnerships and collaboration.