Vic and Margaret Ball Internship Program
This program gives students the opportunity to gain practical floriculture/horticulture experience while training at a commercial production greenhouse or nursery.
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Internship Overview
The Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program provides the opportunity to gain experience at a commercial production greenhouse or nursery. The program offers paid internships in three, four or six-month durations and provides scholarships of up to $6,000.
History and Objective:
Vic Ball was the son of Ball Horticultural founder George Jacob Ball. As the leading North American producer and distributor of ornamental plants and their seeds, Ball Horticulture has had a tremendous presence in the horticulture business.
In 1992, Vic and Margaret Ball made a generous donation to AFE to establish this program for students to receive critical “hands-on” growing experiences to help ensure successful future generations of horticulture professionals.
Please read the information closely before submitting your application. An incomplete application is a sad application (because it is not reviewed).
In addition to the online application, students must submit:
- A Personal Statement — the personal statement should be one page and include your past and current involvement in floriculture activities, your expectations from the program, and your future career goals in the industry. This is attached to the online application.
- Official Transcripts from your College/University — Official transcripts must be submitted. AFE will not accept copies. This must be submitted directly from your college/university.
- Coursework Experience — It is highly recommended that you have completed some production-related coursework before you apply for this internship.
- Color Photo — submit a color photo to be used in promotional communications should you be awarded an internship. This is attached to the online application.
- Resume – Must be submitted in PDF format and attached to the online application.
- Letter of Recommendation – Faculty Member must write a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant. Once you submit your application, your faculty member will automatically be notified to provide you with a letter of recommendation. The faculty member will submit the letter directly to AFE.
If selected, internships must be started within 12 months of the application date and must be completed before graduation.
Learn More About Vic & Margaret Ball Internships
Requirements
Student Agrees:
- By submitting the application below, the student certifies all the information provided on the application is true and complete, and understands that any misstatement, falsification, or omission of information shall be grounds for rejection of the application or disqualification.
- The student agrees to mutually complete the Internship Goal Sheet with the placement employer.
- The student will be disqualified from the program for inappropriate behavior such as any physical or verbal altercations with the employer and/or employees, any illegal use of alcohol or drugs, or any other such behaviors.
- The student understands that if he/she does not complete the agreed time period, he/she will be disqualified from the program and might not receive the scholarship.
- The student agrees to acknowledge support for the Internship Program in any type of public relations, press releases, or other type of publicity concerning the internship.
- The student agrees to perform an exit interview with the employer prior to their last day of employment, as well as complete a brief report of the experience (minimum of 500 words) within thirty (30) days of completion. Upon receipt of written report and employer questionnaire, scholarship funds will be released.
Ready To Apply?
Hear first-hand from one of our Vic & Margaret Ball interns!
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.