Landscaping & Horticulture Summer Internship

Program Overview: Our summer internship program offers a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience for students interested in pursuing careers in landscape design, horticulture, and grounds management. The program runs for 11-12 weeks, providing interns with an opportunity to gain real-world experience in both fieldwork and design, working alongside industry professionals in a dynamic environment.

Program Details:

• Duration: 11-12 weeks (flexible based on candidate availability)
• Location: On-site (with fieldwork and office exposure)
• Full-time: 40 hours/week (with some flexibility for academic commitments)
• Compensation: Paid internship (based on experience)
• Positions Available: Horticulture Production Intern, Landscape Design Intern & Grounds Management Intern

Internship Structure:

Landscape Design & Build Internship (LA Route)

Location: 501 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23236

Goal: Provide interns with hands-on experience in landscape design, hardscaping, and project management.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Landscape & Hardscape Projects: Assist project managers with site preparation, installation, and construction of landscape elements. Work alongside crew members, understanding tools, equipment, and safety protocols.
2. Project Shadowing: Participate in daily team meetings and shadow the project manager to understand time management, client communication, and overall project oversight.
3. Nursery & Farm Exposure: Assist in plant selection, maintenance, and care. Gain an understanding of plant varieties and their roles in design.
4. Design Exposure: Get involved in the design process by using design software (e.g., CAD or SketchUp). Participate in commercial take-offs and assist with replacement plant designs.
5. Hands-on Design Work: Learn about design principles, replacement plant designs, and how to create visual representations of projects for clients. Develop small design projects that can be executed in the field.
6. Presentation: Interns will present their design work or completed projects to senior team members, showcasing the skills learned and their design process.

Skills Developed:

• Landscape design and construction techniques
• Project management and client communication
• Design software proficiency (CAD, SketchUp)
• Plant identification and selection
• Fieldwork and safety procedures

Grounds Department Internship (GR Route)

Location: 501 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23236

Goal: Provide interns with practical experience in grounds management, from crew work to office responsibilities, offering exposure to both fieldwork and administrative tasks.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Crew Work: Interns will rotate through various crews working at different properties, gaining experience in pruning, spraying, lawn care, and general maintenance. Training on equipment, safety, and trucks/trailers will be provided.
2. Field and Site Management: Participate in hands-on tasks including site preparation, plant maintenance, and design execution.
3. Office & Administrative Work: Interns will assist with estimating commercial properties, writing proposals, scheduling appointments, and working on enhancement projects. Participate in bid preparation for both residential and commercial properties.
4. Project Assistance: Interns will shadow project managers and gain insight into how commercial and residential landscape projects are managed.
5. Nursery & Farm Work: Gain exposure to the nursery and farm operations, including plant care, inventory, and material selection.
6. Dealers Choice Week: Interns will have the opportunity to select a project area of interest to explore more in-depth, whether it's design, maintenance, or business operations.

Skills Developed:

• Grounds maintenance and management
• Plant health and selection
• Project estimation and proposal writing
• Client communication and scheduling
• Understanding of nursery operations and supply chain management

Program Features & Benefits:

• Training & Development: Interns receive hands-on training in landscape design, project management, and grounds maintenance. Weekly feedback sessions with mentors ensure continuous development.
• Real-World Experience: Interns will work alongside industry professionals on actual projects, from design to execution, and will gain insights into both office and field operations.
• Mentorship: Each intern will be paired with a mentor who will provide guidance, feedback, and career advice throughout the internship.
• Final Project & Presentation: At the end of the program, interns will present a final project or portfolio piece, showcasing their work and what they’ve learned.

Requirements:

• Current student pursuing a degree in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Environmental Design, or a related field.
• Strong interest in the landscape or grounds management industry.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Previous experience in outdoor work or design (a plus, but not required).

Horticulture Production Internship

Location 13262 Spring Road, Rockville, VA 23146

Goal: Provide interns with an immersive experience in plant propagation, nursery management, and horticultural practices, focused on plant production for landscaping projects and retail sales.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Plant Propagation: Learn about various plant propagation techniques such as seed sowing, cutting propagation, and division. Assist in plant care and nurturing from seed to maturity.
2. Greenhouse Operations: Gain exposure to greenhouse environments and the management of plant health, including irrigation systems, temperature control, pest management, and fertilization.
3. Plant Care & Maintenance: Assist in daily maintenance tasks, such as watering, pruning, and pest control, to ensure the health and vitality of plants.
4. Inventory Management: Help track plant inventory, including monitoring plant growth, assessing plant quality, and assisting with inventory labeling and organization.
5. Retail & Customer Service Exposure: Support customer interactions at the garden center by helping customers with plant selection, offering care advice, and understanding customer needs for landscaping projects.
6. Plant Health & Disease Management: Learn how to identify common plant diseases and pests, and participate in corrective action plans to ensure plant health.
7. Dealers Choice Week: Interns will have the chance to select a specific area of interest within horticulture production—whether it be plant breeding, pest management, or greenhouse management—and work on a focused project.

Skills Developed:

• Plant propagation and care techniques
• Greenhouse management and environmental control
• Plant disease and pest identification and management
• Inventory tracking and organization
• Customer service and sales support
• Plant identification and selection

Compensation & Perks:

• Paid Internship: Competitive hourly wage based on experience.
• Career Development: Exposure to industry professionals, networking opportunities, and the chance for full-time employment post-internship.
• Certificates of Completion: Interns who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate recognizing their accomplishments and skills developed during the internship.

Program Evaluation:

• Weekly Check-ins: Supervisors will meet with interns each week to provide feedback and support.
• Midpoint Review: A formal review will be conducted at the halfway point to assess progress and adjust goals.
• Final Review: At the end of the internship, interns will present their final project and receive comprehensive feedback.