2027 Summer Internship - Growers

Miami, FL; Sunset Corners (FL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Plan

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Pet Insurance

Telemedicine

Growth Opportunities

Employee discounts

Job summary

Costa Farms in the United States is offering a Grower Intern program that provides hands‑on experience in horticulture. You will work with the growing team on trials, document protocols, and support day‑to‑day operations at the Leicester, NC farm.

A strong academic record and relevant coursework are expected. Eligibility includes rising seniors, in-person participation for 9 weeks, a resume and cover letter, and a collaborative, adaptable mindset.

Qualifications

• GPA requirement of 3.0 or higher.
• Knowledge or courses in relevant discipline.
• Active participation in school clubs.
• Comfortable speaking in public.
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies.

Responsibilities

• Work with growing team on developing and executing trials on several plant varieties.
• Document growing protocols and develop specification sheets.
• Assist with day-to-day operations in the growing area.
• Inspect incoming young plants and monitor pests and disease.
• Track moisture management and record weekly crop progress.

Skills

GPA 3.0

Course knowledge

School clubs

Public speaking

Learn new technologies

Education

Rising Senior (college)

Job description

Description

Company Overview

Who is Costa Farms? We're one of the world's largest horticultural growers - without an ego to match our acreage. Our headquarters are in Miami, Florida, where we were founded in 1961. Costa Farms started on just 30 acres, and over the last 60 years, we've grown to more than 5,000 acres around the world. We have farms in North and South Carolina, Central and South Florida, and the Dominican Republic, plus an office in China. Costa Farms now employs nearly 6,000 people: engineers, marketers, accountants/analysts, human resources professionals, and of course, growers and plant scientists!

DESCRIPTION:

Being a Costa Farms intern means you get an immersive experience with the rest of the organization. Working in a project team setting with your peers, you'll learn all about our business while solving real-world challenges. Your internship as a Grower will allow you the opportunity to work alongside one of the best horticulture/agriculture teams in the industry. If you successfully complete the program, you may receive a contingent offer of employment to return as a full-time employee upon graduation from college.

Requirements

RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Grower Intern at Costa Farms your responsibilities may include:

• Work with growing team on developing and executing trials on several plant varieties. Gathering empirical data to find solutions to produce better crops.
• Documenting growing protocols and develop specification sheets to ensure a standardized process
• Gain exposure to the day to day operations by assisting the growing teams with the following tasks:
• Inspection and document the condition of all incoming young plants
• Help scout for insects and diseases in their section
• Monitor moisture management of the plants in their section
• Keep track of finished weeks of crops in their section
• Work with the grower plant maintenance crew daily in their section

• A rising Senior (graduating by the Summer of the following year)
• Be able to attend in-person for 9 weeks at our farm in Leicester, NC (just few minutes outside of Asheville)
• Include a resume and cover letter with your application
• Be a resourceful team player who manages ambiguity and is able to adapt to different situations and people
• Demonstrates our humble, hungry, and hustle culture

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3.0 GPA
• Knowledge or courses taken in the area of discipline
• Member of school club(s)
• Comfortable with public speaking
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies

Physical Demands

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body Primarily involves sitting, with occasional requirements to stand, walk, or lift objects to a certain weight.

• Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects,

Work Environment:

The role involves utilizing standard office equipment, such as computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, telephones, and other essential digital tools required for daily tasks.

• Indoor Office Environment: The role is primarily office-based, which may include open spaces with background noise from conversations, office equipment, and phone calls. Occasionally, tasks may require working outdoors in various weather conditions.

• Outdoor Work Environment: Ability to work outdoors in fluctuating weather conditions, including exposure to sunlight, rain, wind, and temperature changes (hot, cold, rainy, windy). Tasks often involve manual labor or physical effort.

SKILLS

COMPETENCIES

• Ensures Accountability
• Action Oriented
• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively

Paid Internship

- $20.00/hr

No housing provided

All applicants must be work-authorized.

Costa Farms will not sponsor any visa for this position.

Costa Farms offers competitive wages and benefits, including:

• 401(k) Plan
• Company 401(k) Matching Contributions
• Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, and Dependent Care
• Telemedicine/ Mental Health Services
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance (Aflac)
• Growth Opportunities
• Challenging and exciting work environment
• Costa Farms Scholarship
• Employee discounts on plants

Costa Farms headquarters also has:

• On-site gym with showers
• Subsidized on-site cafeteria, a quiet room, and indoor games
• Love Where You Work activities throughout the year