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Internships in Floriculture and Horticulture
AFE offers three intern scholarship programs for students in floriculture or horticulture.
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Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program
This program gives students the opportunity to gain practical floriculture/horticulture experience while training at a commercial production greenhouse or nursery.
Students will intern away from home for three, four or six month periods, and upon completion of their paid internship, they will receive a scholarship in the amount of $1,500 (three months), $4,000 (four months) or $6,000 (six months).
Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program
Interns train at a leading retail, wholesale or allied trade operation for a period of 10-16 weeks, getting valuable on-the-job work experience. Upon the successful completion of their paid internship, interns will receive a scholarship in the amount of $2,000.
History and Objective
Earnings from a bequest by the late Colonel and Mrs. Walter E. Mosmiller Jr. provide the main source of financial support for the Mosmiller Scholar Program.
Colonel Mosmiller, a past chairman of the Endowment and a former retail florist in Richmond, Va., demonstrated a strong, lifelong interest in professional training and encouraged young people to pursue careers in the floral industry. The Endowment established this program to honor the Mosmillers and express a meaningful extension of their industry dedication.
This Program began in 1975 to provide quality professional training for selected, motivated floriculture and environmental horticulture students. Business students planning careers in the floral industry became eligible in 1993 when the training focused on a retail/wholesale experience. Students receive paid training and a $2,000 scholarship upon successful completion. Those completing the program are known as Mosmiller Scholars.
Business Internship Program
Emerging leaders are needed in this dynamic and competitive field. The floral industry is one of the largest segments of U.S. agricultural crops and includes fresh cut flowers, potted flowering plants, foliage plants/greens and bedding/garden plants. It is made up of more than 60,000 manufacturers, growers, wholesalers, retailers, distributors and importers.
Paid internships are available to college juniors, seniors and graduate students, to gain practical business experience from the floral industry’s leading organizations, develop essential skills and improve future employment opportunities. No horticulture background needed!
Metrolina Greenhouses Internship Program
Exclusively through AFE’s Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Program, Metrolina Greenhouses is in need of FIVE Student Interns! This is a great opportunity for students to get hands-on experience.
Students must apply through the AFE Vic & Margaret Ball program and be willing to do a six-month internship. Applications must be received before the Application Deadlines: March 1 or October 1 each year.
- Location – 16400 Huntersville Concord Road, Huntersville, NC
- Housing – $1,000 per month stipend toward housing of your choice
- Pay – $12-$15 per hour
- Timeframe: June – August or August – December
Getting The Most Out of Your Internship Experience
An internship is a great way to gain experience, build your résumé and even land a full-time job. But a short stint in a company may not be enough time to learn what you need to know, impress those you work for and secure a job recommendation or full-time offer. Here are ways to stand out:
- Be relentlessly punctual. Show up on time (or early) in the morning, arrive for meetings before they begin and complete assignments by their deadlines.
- Complete each task with excellence. Pursue any assignment – even if it’s mundane – with drive and determination. If you’re asked to make an Excel model, invest your time and effort in assuring it’s right, aesthetically appealing and thorough.
- Ask questions – good ones. Anytime you’re meeting with a peer or superior, think of thoughtful questions you can ask that show you’re prepared for the meeting and that you respect their time.
*Adapted from “6 Ways to Make the Most of Your Internship” by John Coleman
Looking For Funding?
AFE is committed to supporting research that advances the industry and combats current challenges. This research benefits every segment of the industry. We welcome new research proposal applications by August 1st of each year.
Awarding scholarships for floriculture and horticulture students is a primary function of AFE. We understand the financial burden students face and are doing our part to help! Applications for our over 30 scholarships are due on May 1st of each year.
AFE strongly believes in funding educational programs to promote and strengthen the floriculture industry. The majority of the programs funded are wide-reaching and focus on attracting young people to the industry or are educational endeavors to identify and solve industry needs and/or challenges.