Article courtesy of Allison Langston.
It could have been a perfect day - warm but not hot, with almost no humidity, which is not very on brand in this Wilmington climate. When I pulled into the parking lot of the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension Center and Arboretum, I was carrying equal parts nervousness and excitement. Extension is a statewide program that brings university research directly to residents through education, resources, and hands‑on support. It was my first internship with Extension, and my first time working in a city away from home.
Those feelings caught up with me during my introductory tour of the Arboretum. Somewhere between the carnivorous plants and the compost pile, I became overwhelmed. I was fortunate to be with Amy Mead, the County Extension Director, and Gabriella de Souza, the Consumer Horticulture Agent. They were patient, kind, and understanding as I collected myself. Funny enough, it was that moment when I realized I had chosen the right path for the next ten weeks. I wanted to learn from people who were both knowledgeable and compassionate, and that’s exactly what I found. I feel they really encapsulate what to expect from N.C. Cooperative Extension in New Hanover County.
One of my first working experiences here was in the on-site Plant Clinic, staffed by Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers. Residents bring in questions, concerns, and mysteries from their gardens. I encountered debris‑carrying larvae, a stubborn hibiscus that refused to bloom, and more soil samples than I could count (we ship off soil samples to Raleigh for nutrient testing). Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I felt energized and curious to know more. I always appreciate learning and constantly learning was something I encountered here.
Soon after, I began assisting Cecilia Tadt, the 4‑H Youth Development Agent, with summer camp prep. These camps give young people opportunities to explore leadership, horticulture, citizenship, with a lot of hands‑on learning. I hoped I might make a small impact, and I quickly learned that working with children keeps you alert, honest, and adaptable. I had the chance to teach campers how to properly cut flowers at Trask Family Farms and how to propagate houseplants. Watching them discover something new has been the most fulfilling part of my internship so far.
As my summer here comes to an end, I have only a few weeks left before leaving Wilmington for Raleigh, where I’ll begin working at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum. I’m already preparing for the sadness of saying goodbye to the staff who have treated me like one of their own, while also feeling the excitement of returning to the city I’ve lived in for the past two years. This internship has shaped me in ways I didn’t expect, and I couldn’t recommend an Extension internship more to any student considering it. It offers not only hands‑on learning, but a community that welcomes you, supports you, and helps you prepare for a future in this field.
Allison Langston is the Summer Intern for N.C. Cooperative Extension in New Hanover County, located at the New Hanover County Arboretum. She can be reached at amlangs3@ncsu.edu.
