Do you have a passion for perennials? Join Darwin Perennials for the summer as the Product Development Intern! If you are a junior or senior working toward a degree in horticulture or plant development, this opportunity will give you valuable insight into the commercialization process for new plant varieties, both nationally and internationally.
As the Product Development Intern, you will work with the Global Product Development Manager and assist with evaluating potential introductions in the Darwin Perennials product pipeline. This position will have unique exposure to the horticulture industry, working in a greenhouse environment with an in-house breeding team and on-site trialing and product development.
Star® Roses and Plants and Darwin Perennials are subsidiaries of Ball Horticultural. The selected candidate will be hired as a Star® Roses and Plants employee, working with Darwin Perennials employees at the Pennsylvania location of Star® Roses and Plants.
Reports to: Global Product Development Manager of Darwin Perennials
Schedule: 7:30am – 4pm, M – F (start either May or June and complete in August) Compensation: $15.00/hour
Location: Star® Roses and Plants Greenhouse in Cochranville, PA
Job Duties:
- Evaluate and oversee experimental container and in-ground perennial trials
a. Conduct weekly evaluation of experimental perennial varieties in container and culture trials.
b. Photograph and collect flowering data to inform advancement decisions and populate online scheduling tool for grower customers.
c. Gain hands-on experience by participating in the growing process from propagation to finished container production.
d. Oversee optimal growth of various trials by collaborating with the growing team and alerting them of any issues that arise with irrigation, fertilization, pests, and overall plant health. - Participate in the progeny selection process
- Work with the breeding team to propagate and ship new plant selections to our clean stock greenhouse in West Chicago.
- Join progeny selection walkthroughs to learn how plants are selected for trialing.
- Assist with grow outs for tradeshows and the Star Roses® and Plants Open House in June
- Help setup and tear down Darwin Perennials plant display at Open House (on-site at Star® Roses and Plants).
- Interact with customers in the plant trial area during Open House.
- Oversee the tradeshow grow outs to provide show-quality plants.
Qualifications:
• Junior or senior college student majoring in business, horticulture, plant science, agriculture, or a related field
• Highly detail-oriented and organized with ability to take directions and independently complete tasks
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, in a greenhouse, and an indoor office environment
• A valid driver’s license
• Ability to occasionally lift items up to 50 lbs.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Must be committed to completing internship
What we have:
• Regular schedule of 7:30am–4:00pm
• Unique access to all aspects of horticulture industry, including breeding, product development, production, trialing, and greenhouse management
• Opportunity to attend annual Open House and network with industry leaders
• Convenient location off Route 1
