Reiman Gardens interns recap experiences from summer 2024

A delightful group of eight college students gave their end-of-the-summer presentations to a large gathering of friends, family, staff, and other visitors on Thursday, August 8, 2024, at Reiman Gardens.

Arushi Suresh, Emily Maliszewski, Makaili Sullivan, Jaeda DeKoter, Sarah Crowley, Rachel Becker, Claire Galvin, and Cat Phelps discussed key elements of what they learned, highlights of their capstone projects, and favorite moments from their internship experience.

“I learned a deeper appreciation for insects and the natural world and how to run and help with public and private events,” stated Arushi Suresh, an intern in the education department, whose capstone included the creation of a lavender tea recipe that was utilized at Reiman Gardens’ summer solstice event.

Horticulture Ornamental Landscape intern Emily Maliszewski, from Osage, Iowa, learned the importance of plant identification and that tasks vary widely from day to day at Reiman Gardens, while Sarah Crowley learned how to identify more than 40 species of butterflies.

Makaili Sullivan, a junior Event Management major at Iowa State University, got on-the-job training in setting up rental contracts, setting up for public and private events, and even a session in floral design.

Each intern presented highlights from their favorite field trip experience as well. Jaeda DeKoter’s was a trip to Hickory Grove in Colo, Iowa, where she learned about prairie plots. Cat Phelps’ favorite was a trip to the new Treehouse Village at the Iowa Arboretum, which is scheduled to open in September.

Capstone projects are an integral part of each internship at Reiman Gardens. Rachel Becker grew bucket potatoes and created signage for the Produce Donation Program at Reiman Gardens. Claire Galvin collected data on plants and diseases that was inputted into National Citizen Science databases.

Reiman Gardens’ 2024 internship program was funded by an FY24 project grant in support of Iowa State's 2022-31 strategic plan, with additional support from Jon and Juli Ellis, David Hoffman, and other individual donations. 

For more information on the Reiman Gardens internship program, visit reimangardens.com/internship-program. 

To give to Reiman Gardens or the Reiman Gardens internship fund, visit reimangardens.com/donate.