Rotational Horticulture Summer Internship
Walters Gardens is North America’s leading wholesale grower of perennial plants. Our company has grown from a small farm of less than five acres to a multimillion dollar operation with over 250 employees, 1,500 acres of land, and 500,000 square feet of greenhouse space. Over 19 million of our perennial liners are shipped annually to independent garden centers, wholesale growers, landscapers, and municipalities across the U.S. and Canada. We are continuing to grow, and we want you to come grow with us!
We are excited to offer 12-week paid internships for current students and recent graduates this upcoming summer. Through our rotational program, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience with propagating, trialing, and growing our extensive collection of top-tier perennials. The rotations, which include our Greenhouse and Field Operations, Tissue Culture Lab, Virus Lab, and Trials Department, will equip you with a wide variety of skills and allow you to network with some of the best and brightest in the industry.
What You’ll Learn:
Greenhouse Production
- In our greenhouses, you will learn best practices for growing perennial liners. This includes monitoring moisture levels, working with environmental control systems, as well as administering media tests, fertilizing, and using growth regulators. From unrooted cuttings to finished plugs, you will learn and experience each step of greenhouse production.
Field Production
- At our fields, you will focus on growing plants and keeping them healthy in an outdoor environment. You will learn to take soil samples, scout for and control field pests, diseases, and noxious weeds. In addition to these duties, you will also have the opportunity to work with new GPS technology and experiment with drone scouting.
Tissue Culture Lab
- Our lab supplies disease-free initiations and production material for both internal and external use. As an intern, you will experience a unique fusion of manufacturing and true research. The lab staff will train you on proper safety procedures, clonal propagation, and advanced lighting and bioreactor propagation trials.
Virus Lab and Plant Health
- The Virus Lab regularly samples and tests our varieties for common and genus-specific viruses. Working with our lab staff, you will collect, process, and test tissue samples. You will also work with our Plant Health team to scout for pests and diseases, learn about chemical and biological controls, and distribute beneficial insects.
Trials Department
- Our Trials Department is responsible for growing many of our new and upcoming varieties for evaluations and trade shows held throughout the year. Working in Trials, you will assist in growing and maintaining new varieties, collecting data on evaluations, and organizing shipments to key customers and influencers. You will also get the rare opportunity to see a few of our fantastic new varieties slated for future release.
Additional Details:
- Located in Zeeland, Michigan
- 25 miles southwest of Grand Rapids
- 10 miles east of Lake Michigan
- Full-time (40hrs/week) with half-day Fridays
- Competitive pay with monthly housing stipend
- Flexible start/end dates