Company Overview
We’re one of the world’s largest horticultural growers—but 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! The team rallies to the mission of being a lean, green, growing machine dedicated to enriching the world by bringing plants into everyone’s life.
Description
Here at Costa Farms, we live by the values of H3: being Humble, staying Hungry, and always Hustling. True to that mission, we grow more than 1,500 plant varieties, continuously testing different ways of growing our plants to increase quality and improve their ecological footprint as part of our sustainability efforts. You’ll collaborate with driven, determined people who keep Costa Farms an industry leader, and you’ll be supported by a team that cares about each other, our customers, our consumers, and our community. We’re proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, military status, marital status or veteran status, or any other group status protected by federal, state, or local law. The internship as a Grower will allow you to work alongside one of the best horticulture/agriculture teams and, if you successfully complete the program, you may receive a contingent offer of employment to return as a full‑time employee upon graduation.
Responsibilities
* Work with the growing team on developing and executing trials on several plant varieties, gathering empirical data to find solutions to produce better crops.
* Document growing protocols and develop specification sheets to ensure a standardized process.
* Assist the growing teams with tasks such as inspecting and documenting all incoming young plants, scouting for insects and diseases, monitoring moisture management, keeping track of finished weeks of crops, and working daily with the grower plant maintenance crew.
Qualifications
* Rising Senior (graduating by the summer of the following year).
* Ability to attend in‑person for 9 weeks at our farm in Leicester, NC.
* Include a resume and cover letter with your application.
* Be a resourceful team player who manages ambiguity and can adapt to different situations and people.
* Demonstrates our humble, hungry, and hustle culture.
Academic Requirements
* 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
* Indoor office environment: The role is primarily office-based, includes open spaces with background noise from conversations, office equipment, and phone calls. Occasionally, tasks may require working outdoors.
* 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.
Competencies
* Ensures Accountability.
* Action Oriented.
* Collaborates.
* Communicates Effectively.
Internship Details
Paid Internship - $20.00/hr. No housing provided.
All applicants must be work‑authorized. Costa Farms will not sponsor any visa for this position.
Benefits
* 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
Headquarters Amenities
* On‑site gym with showers
* Subsidized on‑site cafeteria, a quiet room, and indoor games
* Love Where You Work activities throughout the year
#J-18808-Ljbffr