The American Horticulture Society (AHS) is one of the oldest and most prestigious gardening organizations in the United States.  Through its various programs it strives to disseminate accurate and up-to-date horticulture information, and to promote excellence in American horticulture.  Its headquarters at George Washington's River Farm, a historic 25-acre site overlooking the Potomac River, serves as a showcase for AHS programs and practices, with frequently changing displays and demonstration gardens.

Interns for all positions participate in maintenance of the gardens and grounds, attend field trips to area botanic gardens, help staff the Gardeners' Information Service, and compete and independent project.

Internship: Gardener's Information Service
Apply by: 2 months before internship is to begin
Duration: April-July
Compensation: $8.00/hr., 37.5 hrs/wk.
Contact: Trish Gibson
Telephone: 703/768-5700, ext. 136
Fax: 703/768-8700
Application: www.ahs.org  

The Gardeners' Information Service (GIS) is a toll-free hotline, e-mail and regular mail information source for members of AHS.  Interns help staff the service, research answers to questions on all aspects of horticulture, and provide up-to-date accurate information.  Research, prepare and distribute fact sheets, bibliographies, and resource bulletins.

Internship: Integrated Pest Management

Assist with continued development of AHS' IPM program.  Prepare scouting maps, monitor plants in the nursery and collections for insect pests and diseases, apply appropriate controls, and keep accurate records.  Provide current information on IPM to the public.

Internship: Living Lab (Children's Education)

Conduct Living Lab, AHS's educational outreach program for pre-school and elementary school children.  Lead hands-on learning and fun activities in the gardens.  Assist with contacting schools and development of educational materials.  Experience in working with children required.

Internship: Plant Records/Signage

Assist with the continue development of AHS's plant records databases.  Research and input plant descriptions.  Conduct inventory and mapping of plants in nursery and collections.  Work on production of plant labels, interpretive and directional signage.

Internship: Propagation

Propagate plants for River Farm's collections and for plant sales.  Learn propagation methods including seed sowing, labeling, transplanting, dividing, and taking cuttings.  Maintain database of seed and seedling inventory, germination results, and plating records.

Internship: Seed Exchange

Conduct AHS's Seed Exchange, a service for members.  Research cultivation requirements for seeds to propagate and write plant descriptions.  Process seed donations and fulfill orders.  Learn about collecting, cleaning, storing, and germinating plants from seed.

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Green Spring is a 27-acre demonstration garden operated by the Fairfax County park Authority.  It contains a selection of gardens including the Virginia Native Plant Garden, a rock garden, Backyard Wildlife Habitat Garden, herb and vegetable gardens, and extensive mixed borders.  Green Spring offers educational programs to school groups, families, and avid gardeners and receives 120,000 visitors annually.

Internship/Employment: Education and Horticulture
Duration: 3 months
Compensation: $8.28/hr. to start
Contact: Sherrie Chapman, Assistant Director
Telephone: 703/642-5173
Fax: 703/642-8095

A range of part-time internships available in education and horticulture.  Duties include routine horticulture tasks, curatorial tasks, and/or educational program presentation and support.  Internship length and pay are variable.

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Norfolk Botanical Garden is a 155-acre garden featuring camellias, azaleas, roses, hollies and hydrangeas along with 20 theme gardens.  @intern:Employment/internship

Internship: Education
Contact: Ann Parsons
Telephone: 757/441-5838
Fax: 757/853-8294

Intern will gain experience in the Garden's adult, youth, and visitor education programs.  Opportunity to work in a horticultural therapy program for at-risk youth, children's vegetable garden, and/or garden interpretation.  Intern will be responsible for developing a new program in an interest area.  Garden will provide an opportunity to visit other gardens and meet educators form across the state.  Will assist with locating housing.  International students accepted.

Employment/Internship/Volunteer
Contact: Mark Weathington
Telephone: 757/441-5825
Fax: 757/853-8294

Gain practical, hands-on experience in public gardening.  All aspects of proper horticulture maintenance will be covered.  The ability to achieve stated goals with minimal direction and supervision is critical.  Maintain display beds through weeding, watering, pruning, deadheading, mulching, edging, raking, and fertilizing.  Perform appropriate soil preparation and plant annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees.  Operate small engine equipment such as golf cart, weed-eater, blower, and edger.  Fill in for the designated Gardener during his/her absence and assist with special events and other duties as assigned.  Will assist with locating housing.  International students accepted.

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The Arboretum is part of the University of Virginia and is located in a rural area that is 10 miles east of Winchester, Virginia, and 70 miles west of Washington, D.C.  Application materials will be available at http://www.virginia.edu/~blandy after November 1, 2000.

Internship: Horticulturist, Arborist, Curatorial or Education
Contact: Mary E. Olien, Assistant Curator for Education
Telephone: 540/837-1758 est., 30
Fax: 540/837-1523
E-mail: meo9r@virginia.edu 

Intern will be in residence with a community of 10-15 graduate and undergraduate research students.  He/she will consult with the Curator or Assistant Curator to develop a project related to collections assessment, labeling, care, garden design or interpretive education.  Dormitory-style housing with kitchen privileges is provided.

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Waynesboro Parks and Recreation
413 Port Republic Road
Waynesboro, VA 22890
www.waynesborova-online.com 

Waynesboro is locatd in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, 95 miles west of Richmond and 150 miles southwest of Washington, D.C.  The Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National park are only minutes from downtown.  Waynesboro has an active beautification program encompassing annual, perennial, shrub and tree areas throughout the city and parks system.

Internship: Urban Horticulture
Contact: C. Dwayne Jones, City Horticulturist
Telephone: 540/942-6735
E-mail: cdjones@ci.waynesboro.va.us 

Duties include planting, pruning, mulching, weeding, watering, and other tasks associated with public horticulture.  Some assistance is available in locating housing.  Send resume and cover letter.

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