Jun 7, 2012

AFE Announces 2012 Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship RecipientsSource: American Floral Endowment

The Vic and Margaret Ball Program has facilitated paid internships and provided scholarship funds to hundreds of students entering the floriculture/horticulture industry. Students selected for the program are placed in paid internships ranging from three to six months at a commercial production greenhouse or nursery. Upon completing the internship, participants receive a scholarship ranging from $1,500 to $6,000.

The following students have been awarded the Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship for 2012:

Julia Christian – A junior environmental horticulture student at the University of Idaho, Julia is completing a three-month paid internship at Molbak’s Garden and Home in Washington, and will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Christian is an active member of the Plant Soil Science Club and a lab assistant. She hopes to gain experience in bedding plant production to help in fulfilling her career goal of increasing inner city green space during her internship

Nicholas Flax – A junior horticulture student at Iowa State University, Nicholas will complete a six-month paid internship in January 2013 and will receive a $6,000 scholarship. Flax’s experience includes an internship at a greenhouse and garden center in his hometown of Evanston, Ill., as well as assisting with a renewable soil research project.

Jane Weber Hall – A junior plant, soil, and insect sciences student at the University of Massachusetts, Jane is completing a three-month paid internship at D.S. Cole Growers in New Hampshire and will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Hall is pursuing her passion for botany, plant physiology and pest management, and she hopes to gain experience in greenhouse crop production and expand on her existing horticulture skills during her internship.

Kaeli McIntire – A senior horticulture student at Illinois Central College, Kaeli is completing a three-month paid internship at Welby Gardens in Colorado and will receive a $1,500 scholarship. McIntire serves as the Horticulture Club president and participates as a student researcher. She hopes to build upon her existing skills in greenhouse production during her internship.

Lisa Taber – A junior floriculture student at Colorado State University, Lisa is completing a three-month paid internship at Sun Valley Floral Group in California and will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Taber’s experience includes assisting with a research project investigating seed yield versus water availability and a position working at the USDA. She hopes to gain experience in floriculture biotechnology and aquatic plants during her internship.

Kellie Walters – A sophomore horticulture student at Iowa State University, Kellie is completing a three-month internship at Molbak’s Garden and Home in Washington and will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Walters’ previous experience includes an internship at the Iowa Arboretum, as well as assisting with a plant science research project. She hopes to work toward her career goal of working in the perennial production business during her internship.

Internship applications are reviewed twice yearly with the deadlines of October 1 and March 1. Visit the AFE website for more information on AFE Internship Programs.