News
Connecting Classrooms to Greenhouses Through Internships
September 16, 2025
One of the most distinctive aspects of our Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Program is the opportunity for faculty advisors to visit their students on-site during their internships. With travel expenses covered by AFE, these visits let advisors see their students in action, while students gain the opportunity to walk their professors through their daily responsibilities and learning experiences.
This summer, our Program Manager Candice Musgrove had the chance to join Dr. Kimberly Williams, Professor of Greenhouse Management at Kansas State University, for a visit to Pure Beauty Farms in Miami, Florida, where Alana Wood was completing her internship.
Alana is one of nine undergraduates participating in our Vic & Margaret Ball and Mosmiller Internship Programs this year. Together, these programs connect students with hands-on opportunities at commercial greenhouses, nurseries, and floral businesses nationwide, allowing them to bridge the gap between the classroom and the industry.
Read on to hear about their experience and see some photos from their trip below!
Discovering Miami’s Green Treasures: A Trip to visit Intern Alana Wood at Pure Beauty Farms
By Candice Musgrove
Earlier this summer, I had the pleasure of traveling to Miami, Florida, to visit AFE intern Alana Wood, a Kansas State University student who was accepted into AFE’s prestigious Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Program. I joined her horticulture professor, Dr. Kim Williams, on the trip, who offered wonderful insight and encouragement. Dr. Williams has a long history of supporting AFE interns through visits like this, making her presence especially meaningful.
“This was one of the most rewarding internship visits I have ever made,” Dr. Kim Williams said. “Not only did I learn a great deal that informs my own teaching and research, but Alana performed exceptionally during her internship and made us all—K-State and the Ball Internship Program—look good.”
During the visit, we explored two exceptional horticultural businesses: Pure Beauty Farms and Island Tropical Foliage. This trip was not only an opportunity to see the vibrant plant industry in action but also a chance to strengthen connections, build new relationships, and witness the dedication, teamwork, and innovation that keep these companies thriving.
Our first stop was Pure Beauty Farms, a sprawling 300-acre facility where Alana has been gaining invaluable hands-on experience with a wide range of floriculture crops that are marketed by their primary customer, Home Depot. The scale of the operation was inspiring, from vast greenhouses overflowing with lush greenery to the well-organized shipping areas preparing plants for customers across the region. Pure Beauty Farms grows a wide range of annuals, perennials, succulents, and has extensive tropical plant production. Home Depot has been a cornerstone customer since the late 1980s, supporting steady growth and enabling the farm to expand its reach throughout Florida and beyond.
Alana in her office space.
We spent nearly five hours with one of the owners, Tim Kepner, who generously gave his time to tour us around the operation with Alana. We saw her excellent housing provided by Pure Beauty Farms, met the HR team who have embraced her like family, and spoke with supervisors who praised her hard work and dedication.
“I could not have been more impressed with the operation, their facilities, their leadership, and their employees,” Dr. Kim Williams said. “I am grateful to the entire crew at Pure Beauty Plants for providing such a fantastic summer internship experience. What a great host location!”
Alana in her intern housing located on-site.
To see the rest of Kim’s report on their trip, click here.
Next, we visited Island Tropical Foliage, a 35-acre operation that radiates the warmth of the Miami sunshine and the people working there. The team collaborates closely with Caribbean growers, sourcing unique plants and specialty items such as mulch, decorative foliage, and climate-specific soil enhancements. Their “customer-first” philosophy was evident everywhere — from their commitment to quality and service, to their long-term relationships with buyers.
What struck me most throughout the day was the spirit of teamwork, adaptability, and relationship-building. In a competitive and often unpredictable market, both Pure Beauty Farms and Island Tropical Foliage continue expanding, adding land, increasing staff, and improving facilities. At Island Tropical Foliage, culture is a priority as well. One team member shared, “This is where you spend most of your life, so it should be a place you want to come to every day.”
That mindset was reflected in the welcoming offices, the friendly banter among staff, refreshments for visitors, and even the resident cats who made an appearance.The day ended with laughter, warm handshakes, and a shared sense of purpose. Miami’s plant industry is as vibrant and diverse as the city itself.
Seeing it through the lens of passionate growers, talented students like Alana, and committed educators like Dr. Williams deepened my respect for the people who make it thrive. More importantly, it reminded me that beyond the plants and products, the relationships we build between students, educators, growers, and partners are what truly help businesses and people grow.
Applications are currently open for our two paid internship programs! These internship opportunities are truly once-in-a-lifetime, and offer students invaluable experiences and connections. Students are also awarded scholarships upon completion of their internship, which can help provide additional financial security as they finish their academic studies and prepare for graduation. Learn more and apply by Oct. 1st!
If you are an industry organization looking to host interns, please get in touch with our Program Manager, Candice Musgrove, at cmusgrove@afeendowment.org.
