As an OSU Extension Agent, Shana Withee helps 4-Hers achieve success through clubs, camps and fair

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

As a handful of giggling 4-H Crazy Cookers scurry around a kitchen cutting up chicken and vegetables to add to a stovetop stir-fry, county extension agent/4-H leader Shana Withee seems at home amongst the frenzy of activity.

She calmly gives her bubbly 4-Hers instructions on how to prepare the meal at hand as the kids talk excitedly about the upcoming 4-H camp and other summer activities.

The making of an extension agent

Withee’s college degrees are in nutrition and international economics. She is a tenured professor at Oregon State University who has been a 4-H extension agent in Harney County for 22 years now. Before that, she spent time in Utah and Thailand doing extension work.

The two and a half years she spent in Thailand educating farmers on nutrition and installing sanitation systems had a huge impact on her life. She learned the language and made many lasting friendships. “It was one of those life-changing things — one of those things that makes you who you are,” she said.

It’s been about 25 years since that initial stay in Thailand. Now married and a mother of four, Withee looks back on her Thailand days fondly and knows they were instrumental in shaping her career.

About five years ago, she returned to Thailand and realized the full impact of her work there. Vegetable crops that she had introduced to the opium farmers (that weren’t a traditional part of the Thai culture) had been integrated into their daily diet. “That was exciting to see,” she said. “I’d like to go back again and bring my children.”

OSU camp

Summers are a busy time for Withee. Between OSU conferences, 4-H camp, 4-H clubs and fair, she hardly has any time to squeeze in a little rest and relaxation. “It gets a little hectic this time of year, but I really enjoy what I do,” Withee said.

At the end of June she took off on a bus with 25 Harney County middle schoolers to Corvallis, where the OSU Camp Conference was held on the university campus. There she taught knitting, crocheting and other crafts classes.

She likes the camp conference because it gives kids experience on a college campus. Campers can tour the physiology and veterinary labs and perhaps glean a little inspiration for their future careers.

In addition, campers are taken to Corvallis’ Avery Park where they perform some community service by cleaning up the grounds.

4-H camp

Next up on Withee’s agenda is the 4-H camp held at Lake Creek Camp for about 100 Harney and Grant County fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders July 7-11. High schoolers serve as counselors and are put through 42 hours of training for the week-long camp.

This year’s theme is a medieval one. Withee said there will be minstrels, damsels in distress and Maid Marion costumes. “The kids really get into it,” she said.

Last year’s pirate theme was also a hit with the kids. Hailey Sanders, 11, remembers making boats and hardtack as part of the memorable camp experience. “It was pretty much all fun,” she said. Sanders said she is looking forward to going back to camp this year.

Withee’s son, Nick, also attended the camp last year. He mentioned the hike to High Lake, the tug-o-war and evening campfire activities as his camp highlights.

In addition to being fun, camp activities are also educational. Forestry, wildlife and outdoor cookery classes are popular with campers. Withee said a weaving project, talent show and marshmallow catapult building activity will also be part of this year’s camp experience.
4-H campers must also do chores, which include dishwashing, litter patrol and cleaning the latrines.

Withee noted that kids don’t have to be 4-Hers in order to attend the camp. She also wants to make sure that every child who wants to attend camp can, so there are scholarships available for kids who would like to attend next year’s camp.

On to fair

Once camp is over, Withee will enjoy a brief respite when she travels back to Montana, where she grew up, for her 30th high school class reunion.

But then it’s right back to work in August as 4-H record books are due Aug. 5 (see sidebar). Locals help with the judging, which takes some time because every 4-Her has to create a record book to go with their fair exhibits.

On Aug. 18, Withee will help 4-Hers drop off their exhibits and displays in Salem at the state fairgrounds. “Then we’ll come back and do the county fair,” Withee said.

As everyone knows, fair is a big deal in Harney County, and it takes quite a bit of preparation. Withee has been ordering ribbons, selecting judges and picking out awards. This year’s award for 4-H fair champions will be an embroidered folding chair.

In addition to leading four 4-H clubs in cooking, knitting, crocheting and scrapbooking, Withee has been busy helping kids register and work on their record books.

While Withee’s schedule would likely flatten the average person, she seems to thrive on the energy of the kids she works with. She enjoys educating kids and making the community a better place in the process. “I’ve been very happy here,” she said of Harney County, where she and her husband Jim have raised their four kids, Katee, Kenny, Julee and Nick. “It’s a neat place to live.”

4-H record books

Record books are an important part of the 4-H experience. No 4-H exhibit will be accepted without an accompanying completed 4-H record book. Books are due on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at the 4-H office downstairs in the Harney County Courthouse. The books will be judged on the basis of:
1. Cover (5 points)
2. Photograph (10 points)
3. Tab dividers (5 points)
4. Permanent record (20 points)
(complete and understandable)
5. Project record(s) (15 points)
6. 4-H Notes/story (20 points)
7. Project pictures (5 points)
8. News clippings (5 points)
9. Correspondence (5 points)
10. Previous year’s records (5 pts.)
11. General (5 points)
Club secretary records will be judged at the same time as the record books.