June News (4)

2012 Intern T-Shirt Design

Have you seen an intern in a shirt that looks like this (see below)? Did you wonder what it meant? Check out this explanation by the designer, OC's Education Coordinator, Julie Hodges.

"The 2012 Intern T-Shirt design is based on a map designed to show traffic volume on highways throughout the United States.  The thicker lines indicate more traffic. This year I wanted to do something with the t-shirt that showed our intern communities and the fact that they are in rural areas.  I thought the traffic patterns showed an interesting way of looking at the Great Plains."

Youth Engagement and Entrepreneurship Training

Students participate in the 2011 Campo Youth Engagement Day

Summer brings opportunities for continuing education.  We want to let you know about a Training on Youth Engagement & Youth Entrepreneurship that Ogallala Commons is conducting in conjunction with the WTAMU Enterprise Center and Leading/EDG on Thursday, July 12 from 9am-4pm at the WTAMU Enterprise Center in Amarillo.  There is no cost to the workshop, and the Enterprise Center will cover the lunch and refreshments. The purpose of the workshop is to provide program overview to teachers participating in Ogallala Commons Youth Engagement Days and Entrepreneur Fairs, and to assist educators in preparing an appropriate business plan for the Youth Entrepreneur Fairs.  OC hopes that interested folks will attend this workshop to learn how to use the new financial projection model.  Please let Darryl know if you would like to attend the event, so we can have an accurate lunch count (darrylb@amaonline.com or 806-945-2255)

Intern Profile: Cynthia Buster

Hi! My name is Cynthia Buster and I live in Lubbock, Texas, with my husband, David, our daughter Ashleigh, and our pets, Norman, a dachshund, and Klondike, a guinea pig. I grew up in Fort Worth and completed my Bachelor’s degree in History with Secondary Education Certification from Tarleton State University in May 2010. The summer after graduation, I was accepted at Texas Tech University to work on my Master of Science in Heritage Management. I will be graduating in August 2012. I am currently an Ogallala Commons Community Intern working in Nazareth, Texas, producing the exhibit about the village’s veterans and their service to their country, community, and families for their annual German Festival.

The result of Cynthia's internship is the historical exhibit, “Lest We Forget: Stories of Nazareth Military Veterans”, and it will be open to the public inside Holy Family Church during the 40th Annual German Festival in Nazareth, Texas on Saturday, July 14th from 10am to 4pm. The posters and veterans story books will be eventually housed at the Francis Wilhelm American Legion Post No. 528 and oral histories with veterans will be archived at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library at Texas Tech University.

Intern Profile: Rebecca Garza

Hello everyone! My name is Rebecca Lynn Garza. I am a twenty-nine year old mother of four and wife of ten years. I am originally from Springfield, MO but have been raised and raised a family of my own in a little town called Wilson in the heart of West Texas. I learned about Ogallala Commons Community Internship [Program] through a good friend and employee of our school, Nancy Walker.  I want to be a part of my town’s story so for my internship I will be aiding in the preparation of our 100th year anniversary celebration. The other major role I play in my life is a student, which I have pursued to complete an Associates in Business Administration and currently working toward a Bachelors in Accounting. It is my dream to one day own and operate my very own business and for this reason the other two portions of my internship will include learning how to write grant applications and engaging the youth of Wilson to understand the importance of entrepreneurship and creating and maintaining local businesses.

Intern Profile: Ty Ownbey

Hello, my name is Ty Ownbey, and I’m a community intern for the small town of Campo, CO, [where] I’ve lived in my entire life. I am 14 years old and a freshman at Campo School. Campo has about 150 residents inside the city limits, and about 50 students at Campo School, K-12. I have lived both on a farm and ranch, currently I live on a ranch that’s about ten miles outside of Campo. I live there with my mother and father. I also have two sisters that have both graduated out of Campo and returned after college to the town of Campo. Some of my favorite hobbies are fishing, hunting, playing basketball, and attending community functions. I’m also a member in our school’s Youth Advisory Council “YAC” and Student Council, outside of school I am in 4-H. When I get older, I want to work for Colorado  Parks and Wildlife, because I have always loved the outdoors and I want to do my part to preserve Colorado’s natural beauty. I thank that this internship will help me learn responsibility, and work ethic. Which I think is the back bone of upholding a good job in the years to come. I also hope that this job will [also] bring me closer to my community and its history.

June News (3)

Intern Profile: Alejandra Chavarria

Hello everyone! I am Alejandra Chavarria and live in Hart, TX. I am 19 years old and am a sophomore at West Texas A&M University. I am majoring in nursing to become a Registered Nurse and hopefully then get my masters to become an anesthetist nurse. I [also] recently got married.

This is my second internship with Ogallala Commons. I hope to do much more than in my first. My first internship was more in focus with my community this second internship is helping me to learn more about my career. I will be doing my internship in Dimmitt, TX, at the Castro County Healthcare Hospital which I am very excited about. 

Intern Profile: Alyssa Evalle

Hello...my name is Alyssa Evalle!

Born and raised in San Jose, California, I came to Amarillo with my family in 2004. In the past eight years, I have come to call the wide open Texas Panhandle my home. Loving the outdoors from an early age, I originally wanted to pursue a Wildlife Biology degree in college, but through the influence of a book called “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” I became more drawn to organic farming...Eventually, I would like to manage my own organic farm and participate in a local farmer’s market. [This summer], I will be assisting Justin and Cara Young at the High Plains Food Bank’s very own organic urban garden. Although I worked at the HPFB’s garden last summer as well, my accountability to Ogallala Commons will take this year’s internship to another level.

Intern Profile: Jacob Hamby

Hello everyone.  My name is Jacob Hamby [and] I am from Canadian, Texas. Canadian is a small town with a populaion of less than 3,000 people. Canadian is supported primarily by ranching and oilfield. For my internship, I will be working with the Hemphill County Underground Water Conservation District under Janet Guthrie. I hope to accomplish numerous things through this internship, the main points of which include conducting water sampling to test water quality, and constructing water harvesting containers so as to utilize the infrequent amounts of rainfall that Canadian receives. By attending orientation I learned many things about the concerns and priorities of Ogallala Commons. I learned that they truly value the impact that young people can have on communities and the world. I also learned that community service can be a great benefit to the person giving that service. I learned that networking can provide great opportunities for me to get to know people who could possibly be future employers, or who can provide contact information for future employers.

Supervisor Spotlight: Simone Cahoj

The first intern ever for Ogallala Commons (OC) is a seeker of opportunity and a hard worker. Her search as a high school senior inspired the beginnings of OC's Community Internship program. In the summer of 2007, Simone Cahoj of Atwood, Kansas, approached OC Director Darryl Birkenfeld about the possibility of interning with Ogallala Commons over the summer. Simone’s internship included an extensive tour of communities in four states the High Plains region, as well as assisting in the planning and marketing of events to showcase her hometown. Atwood [also] presented opportunities for Simone to return as a Community Intern in 2008 & 2009. Simone has also worked as Ogallala Common’s Intern Coordinator.

Throughout high school and college, Simone planned on returning to a rural community after graduation. Her experience as a Community Intern exposed her to ways to build a career in rural communities and taught her to enjoy the region she grew up in. After graduating with a degree in business from the University of Kansas, Simone became the Economic Development Director for Wichita County, (Leoti, KS) and is now charged with the task of helping entrepreneurs and engaging youth in the community. She does an excellent job, and this summer, she is supervising her first Community Intern: Kassandra Baker.

Thanks, Simone!

June News (2)

Intern Profile: Jill Bergling

Hi everyone! My name is Jill Bergling and I am from the small rural town of Atwood, KS. I was born and raised on a family farm southwest of Atwood, and as a result I help out with wheat harvest and raising cattle. This coming fall I will be a junior at Kansas State University where I am majoring in Family Studies and Human Services with a minor in Leadership Studies. My main project this summer for the internship will be to work with the newly developed dental clinic and develop a medical plan. I will also be working with the already developed food co-op, assisting in the dental clinic, working with the Hospital Capital Campaign, and working with various home town competitiveness activities and projects.Before I came to the orientation I only had a vague idea of what Ogallala Commons was and did, but I didn’t realize how big and involved it was. It was great to see the number of interns wanting to make a difference in their communities. It was neat to see how Ogallala Commons is such a big part in networking which can be such a huge part of future careers. The OC can be such a big stepping stone to later careers in life. One other thing that I found interesting was the fact that the symbol has meaning which ties the whole organization together. All of this knowledge will help me go through the internship now and can also continue to help me later on in life.
Intern Profile: William Brewer
Hello, fellow interns. I’m Will Brewer from Arlington, TX, but for the past four years, Lubbock has functioned as my adopted home. The wide open space and laid back atmosphere of the Llano Estacado stand in stark contrast to the clustered freeways and hurried existence offered to me during my younger years growing up in the Metroplex. Not only is life vastly different here, but so is the manner in which people pursue it. The sense of community has a tangible presence on everyday routine and family is singularly offered up as the most important component of life. Not to say metropolitan areas don’t have many of the same qualities, it’s just rural and small towns offer them in far greater abundance. 

This life lessons component of my education has been central to my education and maturation over the past four years. The curriculum taught in the lecture halls at Texas Tech is the same everywhere in the country, but the lessons taught by the Llano community are unique to this place. It is this component I want to receive more of and it is this quality that exemplifies the Ogallala Commons Community Internship Program.

Intern Profile: Justy Bullington


Born and raised in the Sandhills of Nebraska, I have been lucky enough to experience all that it has to offer. Mullen, Nebraska, is where I call home, and I couldn’t be more thankful for all the opportunites it has given me.

I was very active in my community by being a Girl Scout and earning my Silver and Gold Awards. I also was involved in school activities. I was a three-sport athlete, member of National Honor Society, and held high positions in various extra-curricular activities such as Family Career and Community Leaders of America and Future Farmers of America. I graduated from Mullen High School in the spring of 2011 and began to continue my education at Chadron State College. I am a member of the CSC Cheer squad, an Admissions Ambassador, a member of the Public Relations Club, and hold a 4.0 GPA. I am currently majoring in Communications Arts with an emphasis in Public Relations. I have enjoyed every minute of the college experience. I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people. Chadron State College has the “small town” atmosphere that the Sandhills does, and that’s what really attracted me to the school (getting to drive the beautiful Highway 2 is also a plus). With my major, I plan on working [...] as a Public Relations Representative and working with people. Nothing is more beneficial to me than working for the place I love the most, the Sandhills. This internship gives me the opportunity to get hands-on experience and [makes] me more marketable in the workforce.

Intern Profile: Samantha Carter

Hello! My name is Samantha Carter. I am doing my internship with Ogallala Commons for the Tucumcari Historical Museum. Tucumcari is a small town in New Mexico with a population of just under 5,000 and about 9,000 in the entire Quay County. This is the second internship I have done with the THM, my first one being last year in the summer of 2011. My job as an intern is to catalog and do inventory on all the artifacts and different items in the museum.

Last year was very fun for me, in that I was able to learn so much about the history of Tucumcari and New Mexico. I was able to help set up the system on how to catalog and inventory all the items in the museum as well as several other projects during my time at the museum. Since then, I have stopped in from time to time to help the museum with the technological part of the inventory process since they have continued on after my internship. Last year I was able to get a large amount completed, over 1,500 items which was considerably more than what was expected. I have my work cut out for me this year as they have months of paperwork just waiting to be added to the database system!

Intern Supervisor Profile: Nikki Johnson
Nikki Johnson, member of Ogallala Commons Board of Directors and intern supervisor, got connected with OC in 2007, and that has made all the difference. Her hometown, Campo, Colorado, is a village, but it is a center of OC activity, having a greater impact than many metro areas in Colorado, mainly because of Nikki's ability to call forth and mentor young people, and open doors for them to grow and become empowered as active citizens in their communities. A big reason for this is Nikki’s job as superintendent of schools at the Campo School District (not to mention the countless other ways she stays involved in the community). Nikki works literally night and day to see Campo School and its students thrive. From the local level to the state level, she is a strong voice for Colorado’s small rural schools.
The students and staff at Campo School often joke about who is first in line to talk when she gets back from one meeting and before she heads to the next. In reality though, they all know she will make time to hear from everyone, because her "office of inspiration" is always open! In her “spare” time, Nikki even publishes Campo’s weekly newspaper, the “Monday Morning Update”.

Many thanks, 'Mrs. Nikki'!

June News (1)

OC Community Intern Orientation 2012

By Julie Hodges, OC Education Coordinator

32 of the Ogallala Commons Interns!

On May 30th and 31st, more than 30 Ogallala Commons Community Interns from Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, along with two dozen intern supervisors, gathered in Amarillo, Texas for an orientation sponsored by the CHS Foundation.

Over the two days, interns learned about Ogallala Commons, the National Farmers
Union, community asset building, grant writing, and how to begin and complete successful internship projects. Ogallala Commons Education Coordinator Julie Hodges gave several presentations on tools and procedures to assist interns. When asked about the event, she remarked, “I always leave any activity with Community Interns feeling inspired by all of the amazing things they are doing in their communities. This group will complete projects that not only add value to themselves on a personal and professional level, but their internships will also contribute great benefits to their communities.”

Ogallala Community Internships are quite different from what most of us think of when
we imagine an internship. Each of the interns will be working in a rural community or urban setting with an organization, non-profit, or small business. The work plan that interns follow is carefully
designed to take full advantage of their skills, talents, and interests--and at the same time to
complete a project or tasks for the organization or community they are working for. In 2012, Community interns range in ages from 15 to nearly 40 years old. Throughout the summer, they will complete around 220 hours of internship work and contribute 10 hours of community service, while being paid an hourly stipend. Interns will chronicle their experiences and post photos on Ogallala Commons' Community Internship Blogs (www.ogallalaintern.blogspot.com - follow the links on the right hand side of the page to see all 6 blogs).

OC Interns left their mark (the OC Logo)
 at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo

Another important aspect of Community Internships is a deeper exploration of the places where interns live. As rural communities throughout the Great Plains region suffer the negative impacts of youth outmigration, Ogallala Commons strives to demonstrate to interns the opportunities and richness in their hometowns– inviting them to consider coming back to live, raise their families and work. To spark their imagination for exploring nearby places, interns and supervisors visited the iconic Cadillac Ranch, on the outskirts of Amarillo--and they finished their first day together with dinner and free time.

On the second day of orientation, everyone rose early to contribute one hour of their required community service--at the High Plains Food Bank Garden in Amarillo.

OC interns helped with harvest, planting, and weeding at the
High Plains Food Bank Garden during Intern Orientation.

The Garden, a multi-year partner in OC's Community Intern Program, grows organic produce which is used to provide over 1,000 meals per day to low-income children in Amarillo as part of the Kids Café Program. Community Interns pulled weeds, harvested peas and planted tomatoes during the early morning. Afterwards, they were given a tour of the High Plains Food Bank. During the remainder of the day, interns received further enrichment through short workshops on personality types, the power of networking, healthy lifestyles, technology tips, and a keynote presentation by William Nelson, President of the CHS Foundation and V.P. of CHS Corporate Citizenship.

Intern Supervisor Profile: Mark Castillo

Darryl Birkenfeld, Director, Ogallala Commons

Like all supervisors in OC Community Intern Program, Mark Castillo wears many hats.  During the week, he is a high school Spanish teacher, tennis coach, and adviser to the National Honor Society and the Student Council in Hart, TX.  Mark has worked at Hart High School for 19 years. On weekends and during the summer, he also clerks at the Naz Stop, a convenience store eleven miles up the road in Nazareth.  A unique feature of Mark’s life is that everyone knows him and he knows the names of nearly everyone in two different towns! 

Mark has been a part of Ogallala Commons youth engagement work from the beginning—when the first Youth Engagement Day was held at Hart H.S. in 2007.  At every event, Mark not only finds the time to attend—he also makes sure to bring students along from his community.  For three consecutive years, Mark has helped to recruit and fund interns.  As a result, 6 Community Internships have been created in Hart, TX, and OC could not have accomplished this feat without the participation, dedication, and supervision provided by Mark Castillo. ¡Muchísimas gracias, Señor Marcos!

Intern Profile: Syndee Adams

Hello! I’m Syndee Adams. This is my [first] blog ever. I was born and raised in Superior, Nebraska. I studied two years at Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Agribusiness before transferring to Kansas State University, where I’m majoring in Agriculture Economics and getting a minor in Animal Science. In my spare time, I love showing and riding horses, and being away from the city life and being back home on the farm.
I’m going to do my internship on Kansas State University campus in Hale Library. I will be collecting databases of the contents of over one hundred boxes that [are] housed at the Capper Co-op Center in the library. These boxes are the remains of records of Farmland Industries. Farmland Industries grain side evolved from the Kansas Farmers Union Jobbing Association. [I will also be] collecting data that shows how the structure of the Co-op changed and evolved from 1907 on.

I have never ever heard of Ogallala Commons before. I have learned that it is a big non-profit organization that provides education and leadership to give a boost to the communities in the region of the High Plains-Ogallala Aquifer.
This information will help me with my Community Internship by providing education to Kansas Farmers Union and the public about how the Co-op developed and how the Farmland Industries evolved from the Kansas Farmers Union Jobbing Association.

I’m excited for this internship to begin and all the information that will be learned and shared about the agriculture industry!
Intern Profile: Kassandra Baker

I [Kassandra] am going to be a senior at Wichita County High school this coming year. I am not sure what I want to do after high school. I have an older sister and two older brothers who have all graduated from college and [are] now living back close to home. I live in a very small town called Marienthal [Kansas]. I have always lived in Marienthal, so I am very used to small towns and plan on moving back after college. Leoti is where I am doing my internship. I will be working with Simone the eco devo [Economic Development] director for Wichita County. She has a lot planned for me: like to work on the Alumni Database [from] 1995 to now. I am working on the Alumni Database so they have it ready because our all school reunion is this year. I will also be doing a fundraiser to help out of Cinema at City Hall. Cinema at City Hall is where we show outdoor movies and everybody brings what they want to sit on and we all watch a great movie outdoors. I also get to organize an Entrepreneurship Day camp. When I first started, I had no idea what Ogallala Commons was, but while going to Texas, I learned what they do and how they help all the little communities. I learned some great stuff we can try to do in our county and learned how to write grants if I would ever have to.

Intern Profile: Samuel ‘Sammy’ Beanes

I [Sammy] am an average guy in a small little town here in Texas. I live in the town [of] Hart, TX, population of about 1,100. Although there are little things to do here, with awesome friends and the right mind there is plenty to do. I am sixteen years old and going to be a junior in high school along with my class of seventeen. I am a member of student council and National Honor Society at my school. I don’t really like writing or reading, but I will do whatever it takes to be successful. I love playing sports and hanging out with all my awesome friends here in Hart. I love to play football, basketball, and tennis, but tennis is probably my top sport, only because I’m pretty good at it. I am doing this internship this summer here in the community of Hart. I plan on making an impact on the people here. I would love to demonstrate to others how important it is to do things for our community and the people in it. I plan on doing my ten hours of community work trying to make the community look like a place to be. I may do some yard and garden work and cleaning anything that I can. I’m also going down to a fertilizer company just outside of town called Wilbur Ellis. I still haven’t heard what I will be doing there but I’m very positive that whatever it is I do there and anywhere else in the community of Hart, TX will be a great and awesome experience for me. J

Intern Profile: Bradley Benavidez
Hi! My name is Bradley Benavidez. I am 17 years old and I will be a senior at Kress High School. I was born and raised in Tulia, Texas. I am very active in my church, 4-H, and school. My internship activities will take place at Tulia Public Schools, Kress Senior Citizens, Swisher Co. Public Library and Tulia Christian Fellowship. I enjoy being outdoors and being involved with wildlife and nature.
I have visited the Ogallala Commons Playa Classroom. Driving through our area, one would not expect that what seems to be a dry lakebed is actually a prairie wetland. At the Playa Classroom, I learned about what the Ogallala Commons’ purpose is and how it works. This goes along well with one of my major 4-H projects, entomology. I was very surprised to find out that the Ogallala Commons covers a very large area from Seguin, Texas all the way to Nebraska. I was also very surprised to learn that some of the previous interns are people that I am well acquainted with. Some ways that I will be able to incorporate the Ogallala Commons into my work is that I will be working in and around the land I love and that is why this was created to preserve the land where we live. I am very excited about getting the opportunity to be a summer intern for the Ogallala Commons and I know that this will make an impact on my life that I know will be amazing.

May News

Local School Visits Playa Classroom, Takes on Water Shortages

Sixty high school freshman students and their teachers from New Deal, TX took a Field Trip to OC’s Playa Classroom in Nazareth, Texas on May 15^th, to learn more about playa ecosystems and water conservation.  Many students are interested in playa conservation and restoration, and well as learning how to conserve limited groundwater in an arid land. The opportunity to walk through the playa basin and view different plants and insects was a priceless opportunity.

On May 18^th, to complete their Save Our Farms Project, New Deal High School teacher Kara Craig and freshman students presented potential solutions that may conserve water, while maintaining agricultural productivity in West Texas. These ideas, along with three-dimensional models representing their concepts and thematic maps outlining their research, were demonstrated to the High Plains Underground Water District, Ogallala Commons, Texas Tech faculty, South Plains College faculty, Prairie Workshop LLC., and local farmers.  The specific area that these students studied is a 7.5 million acre area over the Ogallala Aquifer found in West Texas. This area mimics the area within the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District #1.

Throughout the development of the project, students maintained an interactive blog to document their discoveries and they met with local experts to ask questions about this pressing issue.  "It's amazing the ingenuity that comes from these students once we, the teachers, loosen the reigns and let them discover on their own" Ms Craig remarked. 

The project won the GREEN Award, a program sponsored by Texas Tech University's International Center for Arid and Semiarid Land Studies (ICASALS), with the purpose of encouraging K-12 teachers to create projects that will heighten student awareness of environmental issues. 

Community Intern Conducts Wellness Fair for Alternative High School in Lubbock

On May 4, 2012 OC Community Intern Sriutha Reddy - a senior (now graduated) student at Texas Tech University conducted a wellness fair for students at Frenship ISD's Reese Alternative High School.  The program included presentation by:

Fitwell

Body Mind Intiative

Local Llano Cooking Demo

Impact Tech

Sprouts Healthy Snacks

TTU Student Dietician Association Sugar Presentation

TTU Athlete Discussion 

 Overall, the event was very successful and over 60 High School students, their teachers and the administration learned a few things about living healthier.  

Sriutha Reddy will be attending medical school this fall at Texas Tech University and would like to continue planning and conducting wellness fairs for area students.  We look forward to working with her again!

 

April News

Candidates & Partners Preparing for Community Internships

by Darryl Birkenfeld

After months of scouting, recruiting, and working with partners, Ogallala Commons (OC) is ready to welcome its biggest and most diverse group of Community Interns.  For the next four weeks, more than 40 intern candidates will be attending interviews with their community partners, to learn more about the candidate’s strengths and abilities, and to discuss major projects.  The result of the interviews will be in an Internship Summary that defines the main objectives and outcomes for the internship.  Later on in May, community partners will be drafting work plans for the soon-to-begin interns, in order to establish a clear direction to guide the interns from the start.

Another important event will be the OC Intern & Supervisor Orientation, to be held on May 30 and 31 at the Bishop DeFalco Retreat Center in Amarillo, TX.  The Orientation will bring together most of the Community Interns and their supervisors from Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.  The event features two days of learning and enrichment—plus time to recreate and network with other interns, as well as OC Board and Advisory Council members who will attend the Orientation.

If any communities, entities, or candidates are still contemplating a Community Internship in 2012, there is still a chance, but swift action is needed to secure a spot in our almost-filled roster.  Contact Julie Hodges (806-445-6075) is you have any questions.

 

Developing Partnerships Open Doors

By Julie Hodges

The past few weeks have been exciting for Ogallala Commons because of several new people and organizations we have made connections with through our Youth Engagement Programs.
First, Julie gave a presentation to a group of folks who work for Communities In Schools.  According to the Communities In Schools website, this organization is “a nationwide network of passionate professionals working in public schools to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.”   Their focus is drop out prevention, but they do so much more.  CIS agents get to know students and help to connect them with community resources that will benefit them by erasing barriers to their success – such as transportation, work, family problems, health care, and more.    Agents work with students in K-12.  Though our relationship with Communities In Schools, Ogallala Commons has been able to engage students in rural schools and we are currently working on several projects:
    1. A Wellness Fair at an alternative high school coordinated by Sriyutha Reddy, a TTU student who will enter into medical school in the fall of 2012.  75 students will learn about several aspects of wellness including: Physical Fitness, Nutrition and Mental Health.
    2. Internships for students – We have received a handful of applications from students and adults who were informed about Community Internships by their CIS agent.
    3. Playa Festivals – Ogallala Commons is working to take our Playa Festivals to new communities, thanks to help for CIS agents.

Second, exciting developments have been occurring in our Youth Engagement Day and Youth Entrepreneur Fair programs.  These programs will be expanding thanks to partnerships with Wayland Baptist University’s Business School in Plainview, West Texas A&M’s Enterprise Center in Amarillo, and the communities and EDCs of Dumas, Borger and Pampa.

This summer we will hold the first ever teacher training for educators interested in participating in our Youth Engagement Days and E-Fairs.  The event will take place on July 12th at the Enterprise Center in Amarillo.  We will also be taking these programs to the northern part of the Texas Panhandle for the first time! 

Rawlins County Entrepreneur Fair

By Chris Sramek

Jessie Smith at her booth for Papa Charlie's Cornmeal

Judges view a booth during the Rawlins County E-Fair

Rawlins County 7th Annual Youth Entrepreneur Fair was held April 5th at Rawlins County High School in Atwood, Kansas.  There were 17 projects with 30 youth ranging from 7th to 12th grade.  1st Place was Jessie Smith from Cheylinn Schools with Papa Charlie's Cornmeal.

This year's judges include two former winners: Simone Cahoj and Miranda Simminger, SBDC business coach, former Rawlins County and Goodland Vo-Tech E-ship program graduate.  In addition, local banker Linde Hagler, David Baker from Iowa State University's Beginning Farmer Center, and Brooks Brenn, local Pioneer Seed rep and sponsor, rounded out the team of judges.
Judges view a booth during the Rawlins County E-Fair

Community support for the E-Fair has greatly increased.  For example, local business Surefire Ag awarded Jason Sis the Ready-Set-Go Award to buy a bagging machine for his compost business, have samples tested, and complete a feasibility analysis.  Jason plans to attend a Vo-Tech College, and return to the family farm and add his business to their operations.

March News

Director Makes a Big Trip

Seeing a map of the Ogallala Commons region makes quite an impression…but a driving tour is even more striking.  Last month, I made a 2,000 mile journey.  Leaving Nazareth, TX on the last Saturday of February, I picked up a rental car in Amarillo.  With wind and dust blowing fiercely out of the southwest, I was glad to be driving in the opposite direction.  First, I spent a couple days working with OC Board Member Tom Giessel in Larned, Kansas.  Tom just wrapped up a centennial book project for his local Catholic parish, an illustration of the power of documenting local history and recording stories.  Tom and I also visited Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS, and introduced the Student Services and Career Counseling departments to our Community Internship Program. 

Sign at the Center of the United States

Hosts of OC Community Interns in Arnold, NE

Next, I drove north and further east to Lebanon, KS, where I encountered a sign extolling the  “Geographic Center of the U.S.”  Crossing into Nebraska, I made a short excursion to the town of Lawrence, where my grandparents and several other families had migrated from to come to Nazareth, TX in the early 1900s.  Being from the flat Llano Estacado, I was struck again by the hilly terrain of the northern section of the Ogallala Region.  The next day, I drove out of Grand Island on scenic Highway 2, in search of the mythic village of Arnold, NE.  What a treat to finally see this community that produced OC’s first Community Intern from Nebraska!  I was impressed by the variety of community events that happen in Arnold…flowing like the beautiful South Loup River outside of town!  I also traveled to Mullen (deep in the Nebraska Sandhills) to check on another upcoming Community Internship. 

Mojo Express in Atwood, KS

On the “Leap Day” of February, my journey’s arc turned south, and before noon, I arrived in Atwood, KS.  At lunch, I toured an innovative farm and hunting lodge out on Beaver Creek, operated by Jeff and Alice Hill.  Instead of another long drive, I spent the afternoon walking the streets of Atwood, stopping for coffee at the Mojo Expresso, and meeting up with leaders who have worked with OC since 2004.  After supper, OC Advisory Council member Chris Sramek gave me a tour of the newly-renovated county hospital.  Seeing these accomplishments that took years of dedicated vision and work was a boost to my spirit. 

Next morning, I stopped in Leoti, KS for a visit with our newest OC Board Member, Simone Cahoj.  She gave me a quick tour of local assets, and it was great to see the impact that a passionate, dedicated young leader can make in a community.   For the last evening of my journey, I veered far to the west, across the state line to touch down in Campo, CO.  I had a great visit and planning session with OC’s Board Treasurer, Nikki Johnson (and superintendent of Campo Schools).

My journey lasted eight days.  It gave me a chance to connect with our community partners and OC leaders face-to-face and to interact with them in their hometowns.  As I drove for hours, I was memorized by landscapes: so varied and beautiful, even in winter.  For a week, I was a connector of points that we see on that flat map.  It was a cherished time to dream the dream of Ogallala Commons—and for the vision to reshape and recharge me.

Conservation Education Day in Pampa

CED attendees enjoy a presentation

On Feb. 23^rd, Ogallala Commons held a Conservation Education Day and Landowner Luncheon in Pampa, TX, in partnership with Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District and Hemphill County Underground Water Conservation District.  Gray County Soil and Water Conservation District also provided logistical and technical assistance.

As a result of the event, Ogallala Commons will be partnering to bring Playa Festivals to Lamar Elementary School in Pampa, and a potential Festival for all three schools in Lipscomb County in this fall, in addition to continuing the Water Festivals in Panhandle and Canadian.  A total of 18 landowners attended the Luncheon, and went home with timely information about aquifer saturated thickness, depletion rates, and more understanding of playas and federal conservation programs.

Playa Festival in Sudan & Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge

On Thursday, March 8^th, approximately 40 students from Sudan Elementary School in Sudan, Texas participated in a Playa Festival! The group was given the ultimate Playa Festival with an all-star lineup of presentations topped off with a visit to near-by Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. 

Robert Martin Shows Sudan Students A Toad!

The day began at 8:30am with an overview of Playas, the Ogallala Aquifer and Nature Journaling with Julie Hodges.  Afterwards the students enjoyed presentations from several presenters, including: Reptiles and Amphibians with Robert Martin of The Nature Conservancy, Playa Raptors with Gail Barnes of The South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Playa Waterfowl and Grassland Buffers with writer and outdoorsman Jim Steiert, Macro-Invertebrates and other wildlife with Melanie Hartman of the US Fish & Wildlife Service and Playa Soils with Julie Hodges. 

Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge sponsored the event for the school and provided students with a hands-on afternoon in the field, guided by Refuge Manager Jude Smith.  Students saw a dry playa, a saline lake, and a natural spring.  The Refuge also supplied students with field journals, hand lens, binoculars, and water bottles.

Edward Trevino, Sudan 5^th grade science teacher, was a wonderful host and had prepared his students for the event thoroughly.  Mr. Trevino is already making plans for a Playa Festival for next years students, with hopes of inviting students from Amherst to join in.