Horticulture Internship

Job Description

Over the summer, Interns will participate in training workshops throughout the program and join field trips to significant horticultural institutions. Interns will gain hands-on experience in nearly all horticultural aspects of estate operations, including:

-Fine display gardening
-Vegetable Production
-Plant ID and Record-keeping
-Greenhouse Management
-Arboriculture
-Landscape and Turf Management
-Flower Arrangement
-Integrated Pest Management
-Small Fruits and Cut Flower Production
-Pruning Techniques
-Plant Propagation
-Ponds Maintenance
-Weed and Invasive Species Management
-Farmers Market Operations

About Us

Rock Cobble Farm is a large private estate situated in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut, encompassing an entire watershed, including multiple historic homes and barns. The estate contains numerous formal and natural gardens and extensive collections of flowering and rare plants, all meticulously cataloged and labeled, as well as rare varieties of produce, including:

-Greenhouses with an extensive collection of orchids, rare and fragrant tropical plant species.

-The Main House is surrounded by formal French gardens of roses, herbs, and cut flowers bounded by trimmed boxwood, fruit espalier, Carpinus hedges, and pleached Linden trees.

-Extensive orchards featuring varieties of heritage apple and stone fruit trees.

-A sprawling Woodland Garden with many botanical gems and an extensive Magnolia collection.

-Cut flower production of Dahlias, Sweet Peas, Peonies, Lilies, and Bulbs.

-The Monticello-inspired Garden produces a wide variety of produce that supplies a local farm-to-table restaurant year-round and community farm stands during the summer.

-Pasture fields for a herd of heritage Randall cattle.

Duties & Responsibilities

Horticulture Interns’ responsibilities will include vegetable and cut flower production,
farmstand management, assisting horticulturists with regular garden maintenance including weeding,
plant propagation and installation, soil amendment, watering, pruning, grooming, mulching, plant
inventory, pest control, and other aspects of the estate’s operations.

Education and Experience

-Must be enrolled in a horticulture program or related field at a college/university level.
-Basic knowledge of plant Identification and gardening techniques.
-Ability to communicate respectfully to ensure a productive and harmonious environment.
-Motivated and willing to perform physically demanding tasks.
-Ability to operate horticultural tools and power equipment safely.
-Ability to lift 40lbs and tolerate work in the heat.

Additional Information

-Internship Program spans from Mid-May to Mid-August
-Onsite housing is provided
-$640 weekly stipend

Application Instructions

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to: rcfgardensupervisor@ahboffice.com