Grower-in-Training Internship-Housing available

Hiring Organization: Wenke Greenhouses
Employment type: Internship
Job Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Application Due Date: May 1, 2023

Job title: Grower-in-Training (Internship) (rev 2-21-23)

Supervisor: Al Lively

About Wenke Greenhouses:

Wenke Greenhouses is a large, family owned, vertically integrated production greenhouse established over 70 years ago. We have four locations Kalamazoo, MI and a sister company in Douglas, GA. We grow and sell flowers year round. Our main crops are annual bedding plants and home-use vegetables. We have recently started to produce perennials and indoor plants.

Our crops are sold to garden centers, hardware stores and landscapers throughout the Midwest; the Kalamazoo Flower Group (broker), as well as starter plants to other growers. We also have a successful retail store servicing Kalamazoo.

We are an industry leader; providing quality plants that make people happier and healthier. We are known for efficient production, being the easiest company to do business with and valuing our employees. We recognize the benefits of internships as part of the career training and exploration process.

General Information about Job:

Grower interns are directly involved with watering and other tasks needed to grow the crop. Interns Internship durations vary and can be tailored to each person. Plants require care 7 days/week and some tasks can only be done after hours. Growing is a unique, skilled trade that develops from hands-on experience combined with educational opportunities.

Primary tasks that intern will be involved with:

Watering and fertilizing the crop by hand-watering with a hose, boom and/or drip irrigation
Chemical application (growth regulators, pesticides, fungicides, etc…)
Soil testing to determine the pH, EC and nutrients available to the crop
Use of beneficial bugs to replace pesticides where possible
Disease/pest scouting and prevention
Spacing / moving crop
Pinching / trimming crop
Status / quality updates
Trial evaluations / record keeping
Note that we can consider other specific opportunities for learning depending on interests. Ex: production process management, marketing, production planning, and more.

When / Schedule:

We are producing plants 52 weeks a year and can work with the intern’s schedule.
November to December are the slowest months in our growing cycle.
Many growers work 7 days/week during the busy seasons. Others are scheduled with specific days off during the week and/or weekends.

Skills Needed to be Successful:

Ability to look at the crop and identify what needs to be done
Ability to mix and apply chemicals
Ability to follow through on directions given
Physical ability to be on feet 8-10 hours per day with frequent bending & Lifting
Ability to speak Spanish helpful

Compensation:

$19 per hour without housing or $15 per hour with housing
Educational classes, trade show or other travel paid by company
International interns will also have access to company vehicle not including the gas

Send Resume to judy.hammer@wenkegreenhouses.com or apply in person at 2525 North 30^th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49048.