Identification of the current/potential problem

There is a shortage of graduates interested in becoming floriculture professionals primarily because of low salaries and long hours. Based on the 2000 GrowerTalks Wage and Benefits Survey a grower’s salary with less than 3 years experience was $22,321. Students with a 2-year, 4-year, or advanced degree make $22,855, $29,834, or $37,924, respectively.

In the 1980’s and 1990’s students from farms were the primary source of floriculturists that wished to receive horticulture degrees. These hard working individuals came back to the family farm or started their own business. Because greenhouse production is becoming highly technical, there is a demand for students to become growers. In 1998 5,000 people were employed as nursery or greenhouse managers. According to one job market report, the demand for nursery and greenhouse managers is expected to increase by 15.1% by 2008. There are now some outstanding internship programs available for students to become experienced growers. Unfortunately visibility of these programs is low because of a disconnect between industry leaders and academic instructors.

Teaching faculty typically serve as mentors for students while in school; unfortunately, as programs downsize due to tightening budgets, the interaction between students and teachers decrease. This ultimately limits the opportunities for educators to encourage students to pursue careers in floriculture.

Impact of the Web site

One reason industry leaders have trouble measuring the impact of an internship is because there are minimal channels for students to express their positive/negative intern experiences. Current forms of expression are popular press articles published that revolve around being awarded “Intern of the Year.” By providing the industry with student reflections on careers in the floriculture industry, leaders can then develop better internship programs, enhance stipends, and communicate to owners and operators about how to improve the perception of an internship. By featuring student intern testimonials over the World Wide Web students can see the numerous opportunities that are offered to them.

There is a growing concern that academic instructors are not marketing the literature effectively, hence this Web site for interns or potential interns in floriculture was created. This clearinghouse of information will help improve relations between academic and industry leaders about internships, floriculture careers, and student training. The site will also be used to highlight rewarding internship experiences, provide lists of internship participating companies, and survey students that have participated in internships. The Web site can also be used by faculty to facilitate the internship application process during traditional consultation periods.

Bibliography

1. Barrett, J. 2000. Floriculture’s recruiting woes: who’s should shoulder the blame? Greenhouse Product News. Jan: 22, 23.

2. Dominick, T. 1998. Internships: the missing link. GrowerTalks Aug.: 80, 82, 90, 93, 95.

3. Gibson, J.L and L. Greer. 2005. Internships: Educating Tomorrow’s Growers Part I. Southeastern Floriculture 15(2):19-20.

4. Greer, L. and J.L. Gibson. 2005. Internships: Educating Tomorrow’s Growers Part II. Southeastern Floriculture 15(3):12-13.

5. Internet Usage and Population Statistics for North America. 2006. <http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats2.htm#north>

6. Konjoian, P. 2002. Enriching the education of floriculture students. OFA Bull. 870 June/July: 12-13.

7. Parker, B. 1993. Internships- good for all concerned. GrowerTalks Aug.:30, 31, 33, 34, 39, 41.

8. Sibley, J. 2002. Summer Interns: short-term employees with long-term returns. Ornamental Outlook April: 30, 33,34.

9. Wipf, K. 2000. Floriculture’s future. Greenhouse Product News Jan.:14-16.