Horticulture Internship — USA
Seasonal paid training across the full commercial production cycle — from sapling to fruit packed for export.
Program overview
Gain hands-on experience across every stage of commercial horticulture: grafting, pruning, thinning, weeding, irrigation, crop monitoring and pest control, then harvest, quality control and packhouse operations including sorting, grading and packing fruit for export. Placements sit with major commercial growers, so you see large-scale technology and export standards first hand. Placements are with vetted USA host employers, with Agrilivex managing matching, visa documentation and in-country support end to end.
Eligibility
- Diploma / B.Sc / M.Sc in Horticulture, Agriculture, Plant Science or allied fields
- Age 18–35 with a valid passport
- Conversational English — no IELTS required
- Physically fit for outdoor seasonal work in variable weather
- Reliable, punctual and comfortable with repetitive harvest-season shifts
Roles & Responsibilities
- Grafting, planting and young-tree or vine training
- Pruning, thinning and canopy management
- Irrigation, fertigation and soil moisture monitoring
- Crop scouting, pest and disease monitoring, spray record support
- Picking and harvesting to export quality specification
- Packhouse operations — sorting, grading, packing and QC checks
Skills You'll Learn
- Commercial production cycle from propagation to export
- Pruning and canopy management techniques by crop
- Integrated pest management and crop monitoring
- Irrigation scheduling and nutrient application
- Export grading standards and post-harvest handling
- Packhouse technology, traceability and food-safety compliance
Benefits
- Legal US paycheque in USD every two weeks
- Housing provided or heavily subsidised
- US host mentor plus Agrilivex support all year
- DS-2019 sponsorship and J-1 documentation handled end-to-end
- Certificate of Completion from host + Agrilivex
- Alumni network across the US agriculture industry
Structured week-by-week training.
Salary
Host farms pay USD 12–16/hour with paid overtime after 40 hours. Monthly gross typically USD 2,200–3,000 depending on state, farm size and hours worked. Housing is provided or subsidised on nearly every placement, so most interns save the majority of their earnings.
Accommodation
Private or shared room in farm-owned housing, normally within walking distance of the workplace. Utilities and Wi-Fi are usually included, and many placements provide a farm vehicle for work use.
Work Schedule
Typical 5–6 day week of 40–48 hours plus paid overtime, with seasonal peaks. One full day off per week, plus agreed leave for travel within the US.
From application to arrival.
J-1 Trainee or Intern visa sponsored through a US-designated sponsor organisation. Agrilivex handles DS-2019 issuance, SEVIS fee, DS-160, embassy interview coaching and pre-departure orientation. No IELTS required — English is assessed in a live sponsor interview.
Documents required.
- Passport (minimum 18 months validity)
- Education certificates and transcripts
- Updated CV highlighting any horticulture or farm experience
- English proficiency proof (interview-based, no IELTS)
- Financial capacity documents for the visa
- Medical fitness certificate and police clearance
Frequently asked.
Which crops will I work with?
It depends on the region and season — commonly apples, onions, pumpkins, kiwifruit, berries and stonefruit, with possible exposure to cherries during their short harvest window.
Do I need IELTS for the J-1 visa?
No. English is assessed through a live interview with the US sponsor — IELTS or TOEFL is not required.
How soon can I start the USA program?
Intakes run through the year around the horticulture season. From a complete application, most candidates depart within 3–4 months once matching, offer and visa steps are done.
Start your USA internship journey.
Submit your application — we'll match you with certified host farms and guide the visa end-to-end.
Apply Now