Senior Madison Cline used her summer this year to intern at Busch Gardens for their horticulture program. After inquiring about any possible internship positions Cline decided to look into the horticulture at the park for the opportunity.

“I decided to ask if the horticulture team needed interns because the displays in Busch Gardens are beautiful and well maintained,” said Cline. “Their horticulturists pay attention to detail and really know the tools of the trade.”

Cline stated that she was successful with the intentions she set and learned many different skills during her internship.

“I received a well-rounded experience of what the landscaping department does in the park,” Cline said. “Responsibilities include making beds, pots, and container arrangements, managing greenhouses, spraying herbicides, arboriculture, and maintenance. I brought my integrated pest management skills to the table in the greenhouses and learned about plant identification.”

Cline relayed that the small and diverse department offered many different experiences and helped her to decide on her career path.

“I’m thinking about being a horticulturist at a college, in a place like Colonial Williamsburg, or a landscape designer,” Cline said.

A native of Christiansburg, VA, Cline chose Ferrum due to its tigh- knit community feel and chose to major in horticulture because she loves taking care of plants and watching them grow.

“My family has a lot of green thumbs, so I grew up around it. Its cathartic for me; the scientific knowledge is interesting and helpful,” Cline concluded.