American Floral Endowment announces 2026 interns

In 2026, the American Floral Endowment is recognizing eight students who have been awarded internships through the Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program and Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program.

AFE's internship programs are designed to provide students with hands-on industry experience while helping host companies develop future leaders in floriculture and horticulture. Through these internships, students expand their technical skills, gain professional connections and explore career opportunities within the industry.

The Vic & Margaret Ball Internship Program provides students the opportunity to gain practical floriculture and horticulture experience while training at commercial production greenhouses and nursery operations. Upon successful completion of their paid internship, students participating in a three-month internship receive a $1,500 scholarship.

The 2026 Vic & Margaret Ball interns are:

Elia Vaclav: Three-month internship with Alaska Perfect Peony in Alaska ($1,500)

Elia Vaclav attends Texas State University and is majoring in horticulture. She hopes to expand her greenhouse knowledge and gain experience working with plants in new climates. Follow her journey here.

“I have a deep desire to travel and explore outside of Texas, and this internship is the perfect fit to help me get out and explore,” Vaclav says.

Karigan Benko: Three-month internship with Altman Plants in California ($1,500)

Karigan Benko attends Spartanburg Community College in South Carolina and studies horticulture. She is passionate about greenhouse production and hopes to continue growing her skills through hands-on learning opportunities.

“I am eager to improve my technical skills, gain real-world experience and better understand the daily responsibilities involved in floriculture careers,” Benko says.

Maya Olin: Three-month internship with Plantpeddler in Iowa ($1,500)

Maya Olin attends Mississippi State University and majors in horticulture/floriculture. She hopes to build a future in floriculture production and gain more hands-on industry experience.

“I have a strong desire to ‘keep my hands in the soil’ and work on the more biological and practical aspects,” Olin says.

Ethan French: Three-month internship with Altman Plants in Chicago ($1,500)

Ethan French attends Colorado State University and studies horticulture. He is especially interested in tropical foliage production and greenhouse management.

“My passion for tropical plants has led to a curiosity about what goes on behind the scenes,” French says.

Paul "PJ" Crocker: Three-month internship with Altman Plants in Colorado ($1,500)

PJ Crocker attends California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and majors in agricultural business. He hopes to combine business knowledge with hands-on horticulture experience throughout his career.

“I discovered the values that have long guided me, those being community, education and plants,” Crocker says.

Alexandria "Allie" Stuchlik: Three-month internship with Altman Plants in Colorado ($1,500)

Allie Stuchlik attends Kansas State University and majors in horticulture. She plans to eventually open her own greenhouse business in her rural community.

“I would love to be able to return home and open a greenhouse business as a way of giving back to the community that supported me,” Stuchlik says.

Joellen Merkle: Six-month internship, location TBD ($6,000)

Joellen Merkle attends Iowa State University and majors in horticulture with an emphasis in greenhouse production. She hopes to gain experience with greenhouse operations in warmer climates and continue building her knowledge of commercial floriculture production.

“I would like to learn how decisions about growing are made across the country so I can be a well-rounded horticulturist one day,” Merkle says.

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. Depending on their placement, Mosmiller interns often hone their floral design skills, learn more about the ins and outs of managing a floral business and improve their customer service skills.

The 2026 Mosmiller intern is:

Tamara Otto: Internship TBD ($2,000)

Tamara Otto attends Texas A&M University and majors in agribusiness with a minor in horticulture. Through her experiences at a flower farm, garden nursery and floral design programs, she has developed a passion for the floral industry and hopes to one day own her own floral shop.

“I am eager to see the floral world from a wedding florist’s or retailer’s perspective, for this would specifically be helpful as I pursue my future career goals of owning my own floral shop,” Otto says.

During their internships, this year's interns will share short videos on AFE’s social media from how-tos and day-in-the-life to informational videos about their responsibilities in their new roles.

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 Program Manager Candice Musgrove at cmusgrove@afeendowment.org.