From Apprentices To Partners

A gradual process.
In the course of working together day after day in the fields, in the woods, in the greenhouses, at market and over paperwork, a bond develops between apprentice and mentor, one which begins to transcend the initial teacher-student relationship. Bonds of trust begin to form based on shared experience. The mentors occasionally learn a few things from the apprentices. The mentors begin to depend upon the apprentices, not just for labor, but to see that things get done when they should get done. The apprentices are beginning to become managers.

Not that either mentors or apprentices would be comfortable seeing the apprentices completely in charge of the farm as of yet, but it is becoming evident that the basics that will be required are beginning to form. The apprentices questions change from "Is this what you want me to do?" to "Is this what we should be doing?" This is an exciting phase, because the transplant has taken root and is showing vigorous growth.

Already, in various situations, we have started referring to our apprentices as "our partners" when introducing them, because in many cases it seems to be more appropriate to introduce them as equals rather than as "temporary farm help", which is what the term "apprentices" often means to people. And, indeed, it points to our intentions, even if not yet formally realized. The point is perhaps one of psychology, indicating that we as mentors are becoming comfortable with these unrelated strangers becoming known as partners in our lives.

The mentors' psychological acceptance of the transformation of the apprentices into partners is important, for without it any legal framework adopted is but a hollow shell of formality. The mentors must feel like the apprentices are partners, not simply adopt some paperwork saying so.

There are still issues of the maturity of the young folks, the weariness of the old folks, the four-way interpersonal chemistry among us, personal habits to be adjusted to, and other such issues we continue to encounter. But none of them seem like barriers to carrying on with our plans.