September News

Engaging Youth Entrepreneurs

Dr. Darryl Birkenfeld, Director, Ogallala Commons

Dr. Birkenfeld shares with attendees at the WT Youth
Engagement Day
(Photo credits to Greg Moreno)

More than 80 high school students, several teachers, along with more than a dozen WT ENACTUS  chapter members participated in OC’s 7th Annual Youth Engagement Day on September 18th at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX.Students from 5 high schools in Texas (Canyon, Hereford, Plainview, Dimmitt, and Tulia) worked in small groups to “Explore Entrepreneurship,” using some assessment materials and videos from the Council for Economic Education (www.councilforeconed.org).  Next, three young adult entrepreneurs who have started businesses shared their stories: Austin McWhorter, AMAC Custom Built Rods (www.amacrods.com), Roman Leal, Evocation Coffee (www.evocationcoffee.com), and OC’s very own Justin Trammell, JBT Sustainable Ag.

Fueled with examples and ideas, the small groups went down to the Courthouse Square in Canyon, where each group conducted a visit and an interview with these business located in the downtown area: Paper Crane, Consolidated Beef Products, Palace Coffee, Rock ‘n Roll Soda Shoppe, Hudspeth House, Cat-man-du, Reuze Discount Store, Canyon Rim Pottery, and the Canyon Chamber of Commerce.

More than 80 high school students attended the
September 18th Youth Engagement Day.
(Photo credits to Greg Moreno)

Before the event wrapped up, students gave reports about their business visits, and were encouraged to enter the upcoming Youth Entrepreneur Fair and to apply for an OC Community Internship.  Above all, students
 were encouraged to develop entrepreneurial skills, and to recognize that all communities want and need youth to return—when they choose and when they are ready—to live, work, and raise their families. 

Ogallala Commons and partners will present the next Youth Engagement Day in Mullen, Nebraska on Oct. 15th.

Getting Outside with Kids in the Southern High Plains

Julie Hodges, Education Coordinator, Ogallala Commons

Students explore the outdoors at a recent
Playa Festival

The Playa Festival Season in September and October mark a busy time for OC staff, our agency partners, a few interns and volunteers. This program employs regionally specific hands-on learning opportunities and partnerships with both federal and private organizations to bring 5th grade students, their teachers and communities a one-of-a-kind outdoor education experience.   A typical festival includes classroom sessions with expert faculty on flora, fauna, soils, and the Ogallala Aquifer followed by a field trip to a near by Playa.  Last year, we began including water and wetland festivals to expand our program to schools that live near other water resources.

So far, OC has worked with over 350 children and 50 educators, bringing them hands-on opportunities to see, touch and experience the unique wetlands of our region.  These events are great fun, but also serve as an educational anchor that can be referred to throughout the school year as students learn about ecology, soils, physical science and social studies.

Fall 2013 Festival Schedule

Sept. 9th	Bean Elementary Wetland Festival	Lubbock, Texas
September 10th	Ascension Academy Playa Festival	Amarillo, Texas
Sept. 16th	Ervin Elementary Wetland Festival	Lubbock, Texas
Sept 23rd	Whiteface – Morton Playa Festival	Whiteface, Texas
Sept. 26th	Pep High School Playa Festival	Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge
Sept. 26th	Nazareth and Kress Playa Festival	Nazareth, Texas (Playa Classroom)
October 2nd	Canadian Water Festival	Canadian, Texas
October 3rd	Amherst and Sudan Playa Festival	Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge
October 8th	Farwell Playa Festival	Farwell, Texas
October 10th	Lockney Playa Festival	Lockney, Texas

Planned Grazing and Prairie Ecology:
Upcoming Google Hangout for Interns and Alumni

Simone Cahoj, Board Member, Ogallala Commons

Justin Trammell (JBT Sustainable Ag)
will be presenting at the
September 30th Intern Hangout

Through the use of Google Hangouts on Air, Ogallala Commons’ intern alumni are staying connected and learning from each other. Our next intern Google Hangout will be September 30 at 7 PM. Intern alum Justin Trammell (JBT Sustainable Ag) will be presenting on the effects that planned grazing can have on prairie ecology.

Once the Hangouts are completed, the entire conversation is recorded and uploaded to YouTube, creating a record of exciting presentations and networking for Ogallala Commons’ interns.  2013 intern, Beto Rincon's presentation from the first ever hangout can be found here. 

More information, including how to get on Google Hangouts on Air, the schedule of Hangouts and topics, will be sent out. If you’re interested in participating, add Simone Cahoj, simone.cahoj@gmail.com, on Google+ using your Gmail email address.  Plans are still in the works for physical meet-ups at Quivira Coalition’s Conference in Albuquerque, NM on November 13-15.

August News

Looking Back, and Forward

By Megan England, Intern Coordinator

This summer has been a busy one for the OC staff as the Community Internship Program took off like never before. Throughout the summer, we have had 43 interns working, and several more internships will continue or begin in the Fall semester.

Ogallala Commons has an internship presence in nearly 30 communities throughout the Ogallala Aquifer region. States represented this year include Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas.

Starting early in May, our interns began counting hours, and to date, have logged over  7,150 hours in addition to over 250 hours of volunteer time. They have posted over 150 blogs and around 300 photos—some of our best blogs ever!

Ogallala Commons is incredibly proud of our 2013 interns, and we look forward to keeping up with them as they build on experiences this summer in sustaining and revitalizing all the aspects of the Commonwealth.

A half- dozen Community Interns celebrated with a potluck dinner at 

Darryl Birkenfeld and Joann Starr's home in Nazareth, TX.  
Each brought  a tool or symbol that represented their internship work, 

sparking interesting  and humorous conversations! Pictured L to R: Angie Cox, Yaracet Sanchez, Alba Soltero, Raylyn Bowers, and Alex Gerber (photo credits to intern Christena Stephens) Fr. Ken Keller and Darryl Birkenfeld also attended the Potluck as Intern Supervisors.

Wilson ISD Engages Youth Through Internships

By Julie Hodges, OC Education Coordinator

Since the summer of 2012, Wilson ISD has hosted eight OC Community Internships.  The small community of Wilson, TX (population 487) is located on the Santa Fe Railroad and Farm Road 400, thirteen miles northeast of Tahoka in the northeastern quadrant of Lynn County. The agricultural based community has experienced as steady decline since the 1980s  -- losing both population and businesses.  The school is the largest employer in town, and by adding interns they are encouraging youth to explore career options in the community and to become leaders in community enhancement.

The 2012 crop of interns produced quite an impact, writing a grant for and then planting 50 trees around the school campus, removing trash from the streets, teaching grade school students the benefits of good nutrition and physical fitness, exploring science during a summer academy, proposing a plan for improving the city park and demolishing a vacant structure.

This year’s interns – Joey Pope, Coby Villarreal, Mayra Gonzalez, Peggy Jackson, and Jenna Autry – are focusing on helping to provide an enhanced learning environment for students at Wilson ISD.  They have cleaned out, organized and removed three classrooms from “storage” status. The classes of 2013- 2014 will enjoy a new science lab and two new computer labs.  Jenna Autry, a student a South Plains College, has been working closely with teachers. She has helped teach summer school classes and is assisting teachers with preparations for the coming school year.  Jenna hopes to return to Wilson as a teacher once she completes her degree.

As the summer wraps up, Wilson ISD is already planning for next year, hoping to have a new crop of interns and meaningful projects for them to complete.

Google+ Hangout=Success!

By Simone Cahoj, OC Board Member

On July 29, five interns plus Intern Coordinator, Megan England, and OC Board member, Simone Cahoj, participated in the first ever Ogallala Commons Community Internship Google Hangout. Beto Rincon presented on integrating development of local food systems into sustainable community development.  Though there were a few technical glitches such as feedback, low volume and screen sharing issues, overall the event proved to be quite a success. It was a unique way of connecting interns over vast distances and sharing the knowledge and expertise that each intern brings to their community internship. The best part of all is through using Google Hangouts on Air, each session is recorded and posted on Youtube, creating a record of the Ogallala Commons Community Internship program and the knowledge of interns on varying subjects. We will be hosting another Hangout at the end of September, so be on the lookout for information on the date and presenter. If you missed Beto’s presentation and want to check it out, you can find it here! 

July News

Ogallala Commons Interns Stay Connected

Simone Cahoj, Board Member, Ogallala Commons

Through the use of Google Hangouts on Air, Ogallala Commons’ intern alumni will be able to stay connected and learn from each other in the future. The first intern alumni hangout is tentatively scheduled for the last week of July, and will feature a presentation from intern Beto Rincon. During the Intern Orientation, 10 people signed up to present during our OC Intern Alumni Hangouts. Once the Hangouts are completed, the entire conversation is recorded and uploaded to YouTube, creating a record of exciting presentations and networking for Ogallala Commons’ interns.  More information, including how to get on Google Hangouts on Air, the schedule of Hangouts and topics, will be sent out. If you’re interested in participating, add Simone Cahoj, simone.cahoj@gmail.com, on Google+ using your Gmail email address.  Plans are still in the works for physical meet-ups at Prairie Festival in Salina, KS on September 27-29 and Quivira Coalition’s Conference in Albuquerque, NM on November 13-15.

Intern Potlucks 

Kansas Simone Cahoj, Board Member, Ogallala Commons

On June 20th, interns Parker Hassell, Julianne Essmiller, Summer Castens, Amy Korbe, Jenna Kreigh and Greg Laudenslager, and some of their supervisors gathered in Atwood, Kansas. Interns learned about the High Plains Food Cooperative from Chris and Sheri Schmidt, who had donated the meat for dinner. 

Interns also went on a walk through the area for a photo scavenger hunt. During the community walk, out of town interns were introduced to fresh ideas that they took back to their communities with hopes of implementation. The next intern gathering will be July 18th in Leoti, Kansas.

Texas P.B. Martin, Board Member, Ogallala Commons

On Sunday, June 30^th, 2013, a few more than 20 wonderful people joined together at Paul & Betsy Martin's house in Seguin, Texas for a pot-luck meal.  The jeweled gears of community on which we wished to focus on during this lovely day (in which we received a bit of rain and benefited by unseasonably cool weather) were several Ogallala Commons interns (Beto Rincon, Thomas Schroeder, and future prospect Crystal Mendez) and Intern Supervisors Paul Castillo and Cynthia Green.  A big part for Sunday’s celebration was the partaking of locally-grown tomatoes, asparagus, peppers and herbs.  In addition to discussions about communities and sustainability, some of the group truly relaxed and played horseshoes while the really young built with jenga and domino pieces.

Playa Field Day

Darryl Birkenfeld, Director, Ogallala Commons

It was probably the hottest day in the year (104 in the late afternoon), but 19 attendees at OC's Playa Field Day on June 27th, were out prowling two recently wet but almost dry playas, out on either side of the Texas/New Mexico line (western Deaf Smith County, TX and northern edge of Curry County, NM).  We left out of Hereford, TX at about 9:20am headed west toward the state line.  As one person said, "It was worth the $10 registration just to see the green country!"  Indeed, we saw two recently-flooded playas (only partially filled) about 12-15 miles west of Hereford in the shortgrass country. 

At our first stop, the playa that filled on June 5th was only wet in the bar ditch, but we found lots of moist-soil playa plants, good number of dragonflies (thanks to Dr. Nancy McIntyre and the nets she brought along), plus tadpoles, toads, macroinvertebrates, and a checker garter snake.

At our second stop, we were out near a huge 90-acres range land playa on the property of rancher John Woods.  The playa partially flooded (covering about 45 acres) on June 5, but the surface water was almost gone.  To eat our sandwich lunch and ward off the heat, John allowed us to sit under the shade of his back yard porches, where we were treated to an amazing "live herp" exhibit by Robert Martin of The Nature Conservancy, from Santa Fe, NM.  After that, we head over a mile to an arroyo/gully, just west of the big playa.  The gully was still filled with rainwater for about 50 yards, and was an amazing place to net all types and colors of dragonflies and damsel flies.

Our next OC Playa Management Day will be in mid-September.

June News

The Great Internship Launch

2013 Interns at the Orientation near Channing, TX

Ogallala Commons held its 2013 Community Intern Orientation at Talon Point Retreat near Channing, TX, on May 28-30.  In total, 35 interns and 30 intern supervisors learned tools and skills to enhance their work, while enjoying plenty of free time to network and get to know one another during meals. 

Our 2013 Internships are being conducted in five states—Kansas (6), Colorado (7), New Mexico (4), Nebraska (2), Texas (39).  In addition to interns hailing from these five Plains states, we also have an intern from Oregon, and 2 from Arizona, plus we have an intern who goes to college at University of North Carolina and another in Pennsylvania.  Our entire intern cohort consists of 43 females and 15 males.

Interns and supervisors discuss ways to creatively conquer
roadblocks during the internship process.

This was by far our largest Orientation.  Our OC staff managed things well, but we could not have pulled it off without our five Board Members and three Advisers who attended.  We were also fortunate to have Sherry Kunka (Sharyland Utilities), Andrew Jacob and Sarah Tyree (CoBank), and William Nelson (the CHS Foundation and CHS, Inc) attending and presenting at our Orientation.

35 interns and 30 supervisors attended Orientation.

Here is a testimony sent by one of our South Central Texas interns, Thomas Schroeder from San Marcos: 

"I just wanted to say thank you for allowing me to be a part of Ogallala Commons intern orientation week…I was not sure what to expect from the week and there were many great moments highlighted by so many of the great individuals that were in attendance. I could not be more proud or more excited to be a part of such a positive, proactive community building organization... Thank you for your vision and the wonderful opportunity you have placed before me, it is going to be a great summer!”

OC Connects with Native American Partners

NB3 interns and supervisors take time to learn about their
personalities at the orientation on June 5th.

This summer, six OC Community Internships have been created with Native American youth and adults in Colorado and New Mexico, thanks to partnerships with First Nations Development Institute in Longmont, Colorado, Taos County EDC in Taos, NM, and Notah Begay III Foundation (NB3) in Bernalillo, NM. 

On June 5, OC Director Darryl Birkenfeld and Fr. Ken Keller traveled to Santa Ana Pueblo to conduct a Mini-Orientation for Carlos Latoma and Nikki Tulley at NB3 office.  These two OC Interns are part of a cohort of 10 interns (see photo) working on projects this summer such as a Community Health Summit for 300 participants. 

2013 Notah Begay III Foundation Interns

In 2005, 4-time PGA TOUR winner Notah Begay III (who grew up in Albuquerque, NM), the only full-blooded Native American on the PGA TOUR, founded the Notah Begay III Foundation. Throughout his career, Notah has been a committed advocate for the health and well-being of Native American youth and their communities. He formed the NB3 Foundation to use sports and wellness as a means for social change and to fight the epidemic of type 2 diabetes.

Based at the Santa Ana Pueblo in New Mexico, the NB3 Foundation operates soccer, golf, health and youth leadership programming at San Felipe Pueblo, in the greater Albuquerque area and other tribal communities in New Mexico, including the Navajo Nation community of To’hajiilee. Beginning in 2009 the Foundation has expanded its impact to tribal communities nationwide through strategic grant-making and education and outreach through soccer and diabetes prevention education.

Building Youth Entrepreneur Resources

Three high school teachers who have worked for years on OC
E-fairs attended the workshop: Rachel Gonzalez (Dimmit, TX),
Debbie Raymond (Plainview, TX), and Rebecca Cobb (Tulia, TX)

Even in the summer months, OC is busy planning and educating to open more possibilities for youth entrepreneurs.  On June 12, Darryl Birkenfeld and Kade Wilcox gave an hour-long presentation to area teachers at a “Creating Entrepreneurs” Workshop conducted Region 16 ESC, West Texas Center for Economic Education, and West Texas A&M University. 

OC is also helping to fund a Community Internship for Lauren Long.  Lauren’s main project is creating a Community Leadership Program for 6 rural counties in western Nebraska that form Sandhills RC&D region (www.sandhillsrcd.org).  In addition, Lauren will also help OC to plan a Youth Engagement Day in Mullen, NE in mid-October.

May News

Spring Playa Festivals

Fourth Grade students from Wheatley and Iles
pose for a group photo after exploring the park.

May has been a busy month for Playa Festivals.  Ogallala Commons conducted two Festivals for 180 fourth and fifth grade students at Wheatley and Iles Elementary Schools in Lubbock during the first week of May. Students enjoyed presentations from OC Intern Justin Trammell on Macroinvertebrates, Master Naturalist Carol Burgett on wetland plants and animals, learned about raptors with Gail Barnes of the South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and learned how to use binoculars with Julie Hodges.  The students visited Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock for a hands-on field experience and were able to see many different species of plants, birds, aquatic insects and even a few mammals. 

On May 16^th, 260 fifth graders from Lindsey Stiner Elementary School enjoyed a Playa Festival at Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge.  This was one of the largest Festivals ever conducted by Ogallala Commons and was a great success thanks to the team of 10 presenters that helped student to discover the wonders of the Refuge.  Presenters were Jim Steiert, Tish McDaniel, Roger Grass, Gail Barnes, Jessica Kissner, Carol Burgett, Julie Hodges, Darryl Birkenfeld, Justin Trammell and Jude Smith.

Local Talent: OC Staff and Interns Prepare for 2013 Orientation

Interns at the 2012 Orientation

On May 28-30, Ogallala Commons will be conducting its annual Intern Orientation at Talon Point Retreat, located between Channing and Dumas, Texas.  We are expecting 33 interns and 25 supervisors, as well as 8 presenters to attend, representing ten states.  There are four main purposes for the Orientation: 1) To give all interns an opportunity to network with each other, 2) To cover the nuts and bolts of how to complete internships requirements, 3) To give the tools needed to make internships a valuable experience well into the future, and 4) To help interns complete the products that will aid them in their pursuit of careers and other opportunities.  Interns attending the Orientation will receive a cool “Local Talent” Community Intern t-shirt, so look for a group photo in next month’s newsletter!

April News

Partnering for Community Internships in Colorado
Jane Enger (Teller County Famers Market), Joe Stone, and Dave Ward (Central Colorado Foodshed Alliance) attended an Internship Supervisor Training, conducted by Darryl Birkenfeld, at Fusion Japan restaurant in Woodlawn Park, Colorado. These two organizations are partnering with Ogallala Commons to create 2 Community Internships. OC will be training more than 60 Internship Supervisors over the next 5 weeks.


OC Attends Kansas Farmer’s Union Food Co-Op Workshop

Bob Mailander presents on how to create successful co-ops

Part one of Food Hubs and Co-ops: How local family farms can feed our communities, Establishing an Online Food Cooperative, was held April 6th in Hiawatha, Kansas. The workshop provided a look at food co-ops and local food in general. Ogallala Commons director, Darryl Birkenfeld, explained how his community created enthusiasm about local food, and  that to have a flourishing Foodshed, you have to engage youth. In addition, OC board member Bob Mailander spoke on creating successful co-ops. OC’s advisory council was also represented by Kim Barker, with the Oklahoma Food Co-op, and Chris Sramek, with the High Plains Food Co-op. The two cooperatives have very similar operating procedures. (Read the full story from Kansas Farmer's Union)

3^rd Annual Youth Engagement Day 

Back: Ty Ownbey, David Willhite, Zane Jenkins, Adrian Suarez

Front: Kidryn Hoeffner, Shaelynn Wood, Chelcy Viner, Katie Jenkins

The Campo Youth Advisory Council (YAC) hosted their 3rd Annual Youth Engagement Day on Wednesday, April 10.  Approximately 100 students from Campo, Kim, Pritchett, Vilas, and Walsh, Colorado and Keyes, Oklahoma attended the event. Students gathered in the gym for a welcome by YAC President, Adrian Suarez.  David Willhite then introduced the keynote speaker, Ogallala Commons Advisory Council member Andy Wilkinson.  Andy spoke to the group about their responsibility to get involved in their communities and to plan for their future and encouraged them to pursue the post-secondary education that meets their career goals. Following the keynote session, students chose from various breakout sessions put on by local and regional colleges, governmental organizations, and even emergency responders. The event concluded with an "Entrepreneur Panel" featuring talks from  former YAC member and current OPSU senior, Rafe Schroder, local business owners Shalah Perkins and Shawn Crane, Otero Junior College’s Bill Dutro, and Baca County Economic Development director, Shelia Crane. (Read the full story in the Monday Morning Update)

'Graduates' of OC Playa Festivals Help Keep the Wetlands Safe

The "Arsenic Arresters" meet with former First Lady Laura Bush

Students who attend OC Playa Festivals go on to do even bigger projects! Recently, a 6^th grade "Science Rocks U" team—Hudson Sanders, Brett Wilson, and George Wiebe—have spearheaded efforts to reduce arsenic in their region. Research and experiments sampled and determined arsenic levels in farmlands and wetlands, as well as the local water supply.  It was discovered that the highest levels of arsenic were found in irrigated farmlands. Additionally, playa wetlands were negatively affected by the presence of arsenic. The team, called "Arsenic Arresters," instituted an outreach campaign which encouraged people to draw water from the hot side of the tap.  Public awareness days were hosted and the team presented to local conservation groups, university scientists, and the public. Through the Conservation Symposium in Midland, the team was able to share their findings with landowners and former First Lady Laura Bush. Legislative efforts were begun which seek to limit arsenic levels found in food.  In conjunction with Texas Tech University and West Texas A&M, long-term action plans were developed for continued monitoring of arsenic. 

March News

Growing Our Collaborative Network Out West

Darryl Birkenfeld, OC Director 

Dr. Birkenfeld meets with
Peou Lakhana and Kristyn Yepa
of the Notah Begah III Foundation

Ogallala Commons is building some great partnerships to create Community Internships out in New Mexico with Native American groups.  On March 8th, OC Director Darryl Birkenfeld met with Peou Lakhana and Kristyn Yepa from the Notah Begay III Foundation based in Santa Ana Pueblo near Bernalillo, New Mexico, a nonprofit focused on combating childhood obesity.  Darryl also drove to Bernalillo High School to meet with Community Intern candidate Tenisha Velasquez, accompanied by her mother Jolene and little brother. Tenisha has dreams of becoming a nurse and working with children who have special needs.  After high school graduation, she hopes to land an internship working with folks at NB3 Foundation.  

Intern Candidate Tenisha Velasquez
with her mother and younger brother

It looks like a northern New Mexico nonprofit that is building an amazing local food hub, Taos County Economic Development Corporation, will also be seeking to create 3 Community Internships with Ogallala Commons.  So, we are well on our way to achieving 60 interns in 2013.

In addition, OC is pleased to announce that CoBank contributed $10,000 sponsorship for our Intern Orientation on May 28-30 at Talon Point in Dumas, Texas.  Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank is a $90 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states.

Middle School Youth E-Fair A Success

Julie Hodges, OC Education Coordinator

Students taking Career Investigations at Irons Middle School in Lubbock, Texas participated in an Ogallala Commons Youth Entrepreneur Fair on March 7, 2013.  Representatives from Plains Capital Bank and Lubbock Christian University SIFE/INACTUS team served as judges for the event.

The winners of the Fair received cash prizes donated by Plains Capital Bank in Lubbock.

1st: Easton Verkamp

2nd: Maggie Garcia & Mckenzie Pierson

3rd: Cameron Edens, Creighton Alejandro, Andrew Worthy

Ogallala Commons Attends College Conference on Cooperatives
Megan England, OC Intern Coordinator

Participants and Sponsors at the CCOC
Megan: 2nd from bottom, 2nd from right,
Justin: 6th from bottom, 2nd from left
(Photo courtesy of National Farmers Union)

On March 15-17, more than 100 students from 16 states (and Canada) gathered in Minneapolis for the National Farmers Union 2013 College Conference on Cooperatives. Ogallala Commons’ Megan England and Justin Trammell both had the opportunity to attend.

Some highlights of the weekend from Justin’s guest blogs on the NFU website included a visit to the headquarters of the nation’s leading cooperative: CHS, Inc., and tours of various local co-ops. 

“[The CCOC] is an opportunity for Farmers Union and the cooperative community to teach young people about cooperative business principles and history,” said NFU President Roger Johnson, “to introduce them to a wide variety of co-ops, and to show them that there are great careers in strong, ethical and community-minded businesses.”