Learning where the world is watching
If you want to learn from one of the world’s leading fruit-growing regions, look no further. In Washington State, three unique internship opportunities await, each with its own character but all with the same promise, learning by doing, right in the orchard. From research and cultivation to working directly with growers and consumers, you’ll discover how the US fruit sector is evolving and what role innovation plays in it. Below you’ll find three places where you can experience it for yourself.
Working in the orchard: Hanrahan Orchards
In the Yakima Valley, you’ll join a modern family farm growing apples, pears, and cherries. You’ll learn about labor planning, crop protection, and harvest logistics, but also about the rhythm of the season and the teamwork between people and technology in the orchard.
Sustainable farming and local markets: Godwin Family Farm
At this organic farm in Tonasket, you’ll experience how short supply chains work. Besides maintaining apple and cherry trees, you’ll help with direct sales at the farm stand and see how personal contact with customers influences decisions made in the field.
Research that drives practice: Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission
For students with a bachelor’s degree, this research internship offers the chance to contribute to applied fruit-growing research. Over the course of a year, you’ll work on projects that bridge science and practice, starting in either March or July 2026.
What others discovered in Washington
Every year, students from around the world travel to Washington State for these internships. Their stories show how working in the orchard changes what you know and how you see things. Read more about their experiences and the program’s impact on this Good Fruit Grower page.
Click here for theire stories >
Learning in practice, sharing for the future
These internships reflect what Orchard of the Future stands for, gaining knowledge through practice, sharing experiences, and building the fruit sector of tomorrow together. By connecting students and professionals, the sector grows stronger, along with the next generation shaping its future.
How to apply
Interested in gaining hands-on experience in the orchards of Washington State? Send your resume and a motivation letter, both written in English, to Dr. Ines Hanrahan at hanrahan@treefruitresearch.com. She can provide more details about the opportunities and starting dates. It’s a unique chance to expand your knowledge and enjoy an international experience you’ll never forget.
