Horticulture Internship

Internship positions may include competitive hourly pay, hands-on industry experience, mentorship from experienced leaders, and exposure to professional projects in agribusiness operations. Students seeking academic credit are welcome. The company is willing to coordinate with the student’s college or university and complete any required paperwork to facilitate academic credit.

The Horticulture Intern will support production, quality assurance, and educational initiatives for a company specializing in premium compost products. This internship provides hands-on experience in compost production processes, soil health management, plant performance trials, and sustainable growing practices.

Working alongside horticulturists, production managers, and marketing specialists, the intern will assist in evaluating compost quality and supporting plant trials. This position is ideal for students pursuing degrees in horticulture, plant science, soil science, sustainable agriculture, or related fields.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Assist with monitoring compost piles, including temperature tracking, moisture management, and turning schedules.
2. Collect compost and soil samples for laboratory analysis.
3. Document quality metrics and support continuous improvement initiatives.
4. Assist in greenhouse or field trials evaluating compost performance on vegetables, ornamentals, turf, and native plants.
5. Help create and develop new products and compost blends
6. Record growth data, plant health observations, and yield measurements.
7. Support demonstration garden maintenance.
8. Assist with workshops, farm tours, or community outreach events.
9. Follow all safety and environmental compliance procedures.

Competencies

• Basic understanding of plant growth principles, soil science, and organic amendments.
• Familiarity with sustainable or regenerative gardening practices preferred.
• Accurate data collection and recordkeeping.
• Ability to identify plant health issues and compost quality indicators.
• Interest in evaluating plant performance data.
• Collaborative mindset with a willingness to learn.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently when assigned tasks.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position requires no supervisory responsibility.

Work Environment

This job operates in exposure to direct sunlight and weather 50% of the time. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud. This job also operates in an office and, in some cases, from a remote location. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, lift, push, pull, stoop, or bend. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift products and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds as needed and operate equipment.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is an internship position designed for the summer semester, 10-12 weeks is the expected duration. Days and hours can change at the discretion of the Senior Agronomist; though typical hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Expected Education and Experience

1. Customer Service experience
2. Ability to read and interpret general business periodicals and professional journals
3. Ability to solve practical industry related problems.
4. Professional or educational experience in horticulture, plant science, soil science, sustainable agriculture, or related fields.
5. Pre-employment background check and drug screening required.