Fairfax County
Primary Program Area Focus: Agriculture and Natural Resources
Describe the plans for this internship. (i.e. What specifically will the intern be doing?)
Is Urban Horticulture a misnomer? Experience how agriculture needs are translated into an urban and suburban landscape.
The intern will support current programming needs of the Fairfax VCE office. They will work at the Fairfax VCE horticulture diagnostic lab for 5-10 hrs. per week. Weekly duties include: Database management, lab report development and client follow-up. The intern will learn the PClinic software for diagnostic work. Landscape and garden pests diagnosed in the lab are reviewed by the intern and Extension Agent. Intern will create a bi-weekly newsletter for distribution to over 600 based on the laboratory findings.
Fairfax has an established Master Gardener Volunteer Program. The Intern will support the Agent with volunteer management of the program by coordinating tasks and program supplies. Work with volunteers on an established turf nutrient management program, "Home Turf". The intern will market this program to Fairfax's residents, help schedule site visits, accompany trained Master Gardener Volunteers to site visits, and develop the nutrient management plan for client follow-up.
Field Days are for adults too? Yes! The intern will assist the Agent during Summer Field Days for Landscape and Horticulture Industry professionals.
The Intern will develop a complete educational program: advertisement, supply management, delivery, and program evaluation. The subject matter can be modeled on programs previously given by the Agent, from other county Extension Agents, or the Intern's passion. This project will be approved and guided by the Agent.
Describe the knowledge / skills that the intern is expected to gain from this experience
The intern will work in the office, lab and in the field. They will learn to hone their Horticulture diagnostic skills. They will make site visits to experience plant diseases and pests in the Fairfax landscape. Intern will learn skills needed to work with clients, professionals, and volunteers; group and individual projects. Intern will see how technology and horticulture overlap.
How will the intern learn about the breadth of VCE and our various program areas?
The Intern will be exposed to the wide array of programs offered by the Fairfax office not only Horticulture but also 4-H and Family and Consumer Sciences. The Intern will have opportunity to meet Extension Agents and program managers of all Fairfax programs. There will be opportunities to network with other Northern District Extension Agents and landscape and horticulture industry professionals. Working across program areas and with volunteers, the intern will gain a complete understanding of the VCE programs in Fairfax County.