Published August 4, 2026 | 3 min read | Intern Spotlight
Quick Facts:
University: Ferrum College
Major: Agriculture Science with Horticulture Emphasis
Internship Role: AgTech
Hometown: Martinsville, Virginia
Internship: Summer 2026
This summer, IALR welcomed Gracie Edwards as one of the CEA Innovation Center’s AgTech interns. Throughout her internship, Gracie played an active role in advancing the Center’s research efforts by contributing to multiple projects that explored innovative solutions for CEA.
About Gracie
From Martinsville, Virginia, Maranda “Gracie” Edwards is a senior at Ferrum College pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Science with a horticulture emphasis.
Throughout her undergraduate studies, Gracie has completed hundreds of hours working in Ferrum College’s hydroponics greenhouse. In their greenhouse, she managed the production of lettuce, herbs, pumpkins, cabbage, cauliflower, Romanesco, tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, purple potatoes and many other specialty crops. Gracie also managed a research study led by the CEA Innovation Center’s own Dr. Mei, evaluating the effects of endophytes on bok choy in plant benches. Alongside these experiences, Gracie maintained a 4.0 GPA and credits Ferrum College’s emphasis on experiential learning with helping prepare her for a career in horticulture.
Internship Responsibilities
As an AgTech intern, Gracie supported hydroponic crop production, greenhouse operations, and ongoing plant research. Throughout the summer, she contributed to several research projects, including a marigold study, a microgreens substrate study, and an independent research project focused on improving spinach seed germination.
Project Spotlight
One of Gracie’s favorite experiences this summer was conducting research on edible signet marigolds grown in hydroponic systems. Her study compared three marigold cultivars grown under different fertilizer rates to identify best management practices for maximizing flowering, plant growth, and overall crop quality. In addition to the marigold study, Gracie contributed to research comparing jute and burlap as substates for microgreen production and expanded upon previous research she conducted at Ferrum College by evaluating hydrogen peroxide concentrations to improve spinach seed germination.
Each project provided Gracie with the opportunity to strengthen her research skills while gaining a deeper understanding of crop production in controlled environment agriculture.
Skills Developed
Although Gracie entered the internship with a strong horticulture background, the summer allowed her to further develop her research, greenhouse management, and problem-solving skills. She gained additional experience designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and evaluating crop performance while working alongside researchers at the CEA Innovation Center.
Reflections
“What I enjoyed most about this internship was the atmosphere at the company, the friendliness of the lovely staff, and the freedom and opportunity to deepen my knowledge and passion for plant science.”
Looking Ahead
After graduating from Ferrum College, Gracie plans to pursue her master’s at Virginia Tech. She also has plans to own and operate a “purple farm” where she specializes solely in purple crops rich in anthocyanins.
