Progress and Pondering

Over the last few days, I have finally started making progress towards getting an internship. On Sunday, I was at my volunteer job (at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens in Gainesville) when the Oregon farm called and left a message that they would call back between 7 and 9 pm, Pacific time (which is rather late in the Eastern time zone). I eagerly awaited their call that evening, and I was rewarded by a call at 10:00 pm (on my clock). The farmers (who were both close enough to the phone to talk to me at the same time) told me that I had gotten good reviews from my references, and said that they thought that I would be quite capable of doing well in their internship program. They offered me a position, which was very flattering and exciting, as they said that they had received many queries this year, with more likely to come as the spring approaches.

After we talked a bit about their farm and a few questions that I had about their program, they told me that they were a bit concerned about the issue of liability (as I am technically a "minor" for the next 11 months), but that they hoped very much that it would not hinder my chances of taking on an internship at their farm. They also told me that they would appreciate a decision about whether I want to be one of their interns for the coming season by the end of the week. They ended by saying that they would investigate the liability concern, and get back to me soon.

Yesterday, these farmers called at the same time and talked a bit with my mom about the potential liability of my minor status. They requested that she send a hard copy of a liability waiver with a signature. The husband in the couple then talked to me about safety and the potential for danger in working on their farm. He again stressed that he believes that I am competent, but he also noted how serious he and his wife are about safety. He apologized for giving me this "safety spiel," as I described it to my mom later, but I did not mind. I have heard such things before, and it only reinforces for me how serious this farm is about taking me on as an apprentice.

Today, my mom sent this farm (via email) a rough draft of the kind of liability waiver discussed over the phone last night. I also got the chance to email two former apprentices with some questions about the farm's internship program, but I have not yet received any responses. I feel confident that all of this will be resolved by sometime next week.