This spring, the American Floral Endowment announced the selection of nine students as recipients of internships through the Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and the Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program. These individuals are stepping into hands-on roles at top horticultural and floral operations across the country, gaining vital industry experience that bridges their academic studies with professional practice.

The Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program places students at commercial greenhouses or nursery operations for periods of three, four or six months, with scholarship awards of up to $6,000 depending on the internship length. The Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program connects students with leading retail, wholesale, or supplier businesses for internships lasting 10–16 weeks and includes a $2,000 scholarship upon completion.

Both programs offer mutual benefits for students and the floral industry alike—providing companies with fresh perspectives and talent, while helping students build practical skills, professional networks and clearer career paths.

Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Awards

Rachel Becker
Becker, a Horticulture major at Iowa State University, will complete a six-month internship at Tagawa Greenhouses in Brighton, CO. With a goal of owning her own floriculture business, Becker brings hands-on experience from Reiman Gardens and student-led projects. She aims to explore large-scale production during her internship.
Scholarship Award: $6,000

Parker Carlson
Carlson, an Agriculture major with a concentration in Horticulture at Texas State University, will intern for three months at PlantPeddler in Cresco, IA. His passion for ornamental plants began at local farmers markets and has flourished through propagation projects and club involvement.
Scholarship Award: $1,500

Lemuel Dill
Dill, a Horticulture Production major at Kansas State University, will spend six months at Neal Mast Greenhouses in Grand Rapids, MI. Dill’s interest in greenhouse production was sparked through his work in the K-State greenhouses and nurtured by his academic coursework.
Scholarship Award: $6,000

Zachary Morris
Morris, studying Horticulture and Forestry at Missouri State University, is completing a six-month internship at Neal Mast Greenhouses. With experience in plant propagation and pest management, Morris is passionate about sustainability and education in horticulture.
Scholarship Award: $6,000

Timothy Pearce
Pearce, a Horticulture student at Kansas State University, is completing a three-month internship at Heartland Growers in Westfield, IN. He hopes to apply his knowledge toward his future goal of opening a greenhouse and nursery.
Scholarship Award: $1,500

Sydni Potter
Potter, majoring in Plant Science at the University of Tennessee, is interning at Metrolina Greenhouses in York, SC. Her interest lies in greenhouse production and hydroponics, with long-term plans for a career in horticulture operations.
Scholarship Award: $1,500

Brooke Usher
Usher, a Horticulture major at the University of Georgia, is set to complete a six-month internship at Tagawa Greenhouses. With service hours through her university's Horticulture Club and experience in retail gardening, Usher is focused on inclusive public horticulture and education.
Scholarship Award: $6,000

Alana Wood
Wood, a Horticulture Production major at Kansas State University, is completing a three-month internship at Pure Beauty Farms in Miami, FL. With roots in FFA and school greenhouses, Wood aims to become a head grower specializing in high-quality ornamental plants.
Scholarship Award: $1,500

Mosmiller Internship Award

Isabella Tolosi
Isabella Tolosi, studying Agriculture and Food Systems at the University of New Hampshire, is interning for 12 weeks at McArdle Florist and Garden Center in Greenwich, CT. She aspires to operate a sustainable flower farm and community-centered floral business.
Scholarship Award: $2,000

AFE continues to support the development of future floriculture leaders through real-world experience and industry mentorship. Students share highlights from their internships through short social media videos that include tutorials, day-in-the-life content and behind-the-scenes insights into their roles. Upon completing their programs, interns also submit detailed reports, many of which are available for review on AFE’s website.

Students interested in applying for these life-changing opportunities can submit applications twice a year—on Oct. 1 and March 1.

Stay tuned to AFE’s social media to follow the journey of the 2025 interns and watch the next generation of floriculture professionals take root.