Photo courtesy of American Floral Endowment
Nine students have been awarded internships this spring through the American Floral Endowment’s Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program.
The Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program places students at commercial production greenhouses or nurseries for three, four or six-month durations and provides a scholarship of up to $6,000, depending on the length of their internship. The Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program places students at floral retail, wholesale or supplier businesses for a period of 10 to 16 weeks, with a $2,000 scholarship upon their completion of the program.
Both programs offer opportunities for both the floral industry and the next generation of professionals. They provide companies with fresh, innovative perspectives and needed workers, while allowing students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings, gaining hands-on experience that is vital for their career growth.
Read more about each of the students below, courtesy of the American Floral Endowment:
Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Awards
Rachel Becker ($6,000) will complete a 6-month internship (January to July 2026) at Tagawa Greenhouses in Brighton, Colorado. Becker is a horticulture student at Iowa State University. Inspired by a childhood love of plants, she aims to one day own a floriculture business and has already begun building her skills in greenhouse management with hands-on experience from Reiman Gardens, her coursework and leading a plant sale. Through the Vic & Margaret Ball Internship, Becker hopes to explore large-scale production and determine the best path for her future in the industry.
Parker Carlson ($1,500) will complete a 3-month internship (May to August 2025) at Plantpeddler in Cresco, Iowa. Carlson is a student at Texas State University majoring in agriculture with a horticulture concentration. His experiences at farmers markets in Edgewood, Texas, sparked his appreciation for ornamental plants and the sense of community they inspire. Now as a student at Texas State University, he has pursued his passion through floriculture courses, hands-on propagation projects and active involvement in the Horticulture Club. Through this internship program, he seeks practical experience, mentorship and industry connections to help turn that vision into reality.
Lemuel Dill ($6,000) will complete a 6-month internship (June to December 2025) at Neal Mast Greenhouses in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dill is a student at Kansas State University majoring in horticulture production. His passion for plants began with a small cactus and grew through hands-on experience at the K-State greenhouses. There, he developed practical skills that complemented his coursework and confirmed his interest in greenhouse production. Dill’s long-term goal is to work in a large-scale greenhouse growing cut flowers, houseplants or outdoor ornamentals. Through this internship, he hopes to deepen his skills and prepare for a successful career in floriculture.
Zachary Morris ($6,000) is completing a 6-month internship (May to December 2025) at Neal Mast Greenhouses in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Morris is attending Missouri State University majoring in horticulture/forestry. His passion for plants, sustainability and community education has been shaped by hands-on experience as a greenhouse associate at Missouri State and a horticulture worker at C&H Plants, where he gained skills in plant care, propagation and pest management. Active in the Horticulture Club, Morris is committed to sharing his knowledge through plant sales and outreach programs. His ultimate goal is to manage a greenhouse that not only produces high-quality plants but also educates and inspires others about the importance of sustainable horticulture.
Timothy Pearce ($1,500) is completing a 3-month internship (May to August 2025) at Heartland Growers in Westfield, Indiana. Pearce is majoring in horticulture at Kansas State University. His goals from this internship are seeing firsthand how the industry operates and getting hands-on experience at a large operation. After school, he plans to open his own greenhouse/nursery and hopes to use this internship to gain knowledge and apply it to his own business, as well as make connections within the industry.
Sydni Potter ($1,500) is completing a 3-month internship (May to August 2025) at Metrolina Greenhouses in York, South Carolina. Potter is majoring in plant science at the University of Tennessee with a focus on horticulture production/science. Her future goal is to build a career in the industry by contributing to greenhouse production operations. Through this internship, she hopes to apply her academic knowledge and experience to support ornamental plant cultivation while learning from industry professionals. Her passion for dynamic greenhouse environments and practices like hydroponics reflect her long-term commitment to a career in greenhouse management and horticulture production.
Brooke Usher ($6,000) will complete a 6-month internship (January to July 2026) at Tagawa Greenhouses in Brighton, Colorado. Usher is a student at the University of Georgia majoring in horticulture. She first developed a love for plants and people while working at Pike Nurseries in high school. With more than 300 service hours in the Horticulture Club and coursework in floral design and greenhouse management, she is starting her internship with strong practical and academic experience. Her goal is to continue growing her skills through this internship and eventually lead inclusive public gardening projects that inspire future horticulturists.
Alana Wood ($1,500) is completing a 3-month internship (May to August 2025) at Pure Beauty Farms in Miami, Florida. Wood is currently attending Kansas State University and majoring in horticulture production. Growing up on a farm and participating in FFA and agriculture classes sparked Wood's interest in horticulture, especially after her first experience working in a school greenhouse. Wood’s ultimate goal is to become a head grower in greenhouse management, producing high-quality ornamental plants through carefully developed scouting, fertilizer and water management programs.
Mosmiller Internship Awards
Isabella Tolosi ($2,000) is completing a 12-week internship (May to August 2025) at McArdle's Florist and Garden Center in Greenwich, Connecticut. Tolosi is currently a student at the University of New Hampshire majoring in agriculture and food systems. Her ultimate goal is to own and operate a sustainable flower farm that serves as a community-focused destination where people can connect with nature. She aspires to sell freshly cut bouquets, participate in farmers markets and eventually develop the farm into a wedding venue. Through the Mosmiller Internship, she hopes to gain hands-on floriculture experience, grow professionally, receive mentorship and build a supportive network within the industry.
Keep up with the 2025 interns on AFE’s social media, where students will share short videos during their internships. Students also submit an in-depth report after completing their experience — past reports can be found here.
Internship applications are accepted twice a year, with deadlines of Oct. 1 and March 1. Interested students can learn more and apply here.
Industry organizations looking to employ interns can contact AFE’s program manager, Candice Musgrove, at cmusgrove@afeendowment.org.