The Barter Experiment is 5 years old now! Hosted by The Human Path, this event is a part of the urban sustainability program.
This is a chance to share home-grown foods, eggs, animals, or sustainable items with others. (see below for full details)
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This barter will run roughly from 2 – 4 pm.
Below are the usual details of the barter for those who are new to it!
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Community is an important part of The Human Path school. In the spring of 2013, we were inspired by an article about trade and barter, and since this is something we teach in our urban courses, decided it was time to set up a regular event. It has been steadily growing both in size and in the great sustainable items that people are bringing and has become very successful!
The school hosts a barter and trade event. Traders set up tables and people can bring items they have an abundance of and want to share. This is a barter and trade exercise, not a potluck.
Here are some ideas: fruits or vegetables you have canned, homemade soaps or breads, meat jerky, fresh herbs to trade, eggs from your backyard hens and ducks, meat you’ve hunted, seedlings or plants you have too many of, produce from your garden, home-brewed ales or kombuchas, even bags of good compost, or other items of trade. (It does not have to be food) As the growing season progresses, it would be kind of fun to even trade cases of local peaches, figs or other produce and do afternoon canning at the school.
Here are the general guidelines of the barter and swap event:
If it is prepared food: make sure that it is labeled in some way so that everyone knows all the ingredients in case there are food allergies
We recommend that you bring a table or blanket if you have one. Camp chairs are also a good idea so that you won’t have to stand too long. We will not have tables provided.
Make sure whatever you are trading is very fresh and wrapped well to prevent spoilage if the weather is warm.
Bring bags or baskets to take your trade items home in and a cooler if you are trading for meats, cheeses or dairy.
Chickens, ducks and small livestock are acceptable to trade but we remind everyone that dogs are NOT permitted at this event.
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Make sure when you RSVP that you put the items you are bringing in the ‘comments’ for this list and I will add them.
Animals for trade (ie: Chicks, goats or little pigs) are also ok, provided they are listed below and there is interest. This will prevent them from being transported needlessly and being stressed by travel, strange surroundings. They will need to have a carrier to be in during the trade. Please list the animals and its recommended to only bring them if you have a confirmed barter with someone to minimize their stress in the heat.
Since this is a barter and swap event, no cash.
Samples: it is a good idea to have samples of your homemade jerky or bread or preserves, if you’re trying to make a trade and someone is uncertain because they’ve never tried whatever it is you have.
Hand-crafted items are also encouraged. Wood-working, rabbit hutches, sewing linens and other home-made items are excellent.
Just a gentle guide: the items people bring to barter and swap should be sustainable-minded. For example, fresh eggs from your backyard – good. Jams you made – good. Homemade breads or soaps – very good. Stuff you’re trying to clean out of your garage thats been sitting there for 3 years — not so good.
This is a community event, and is open to people who are interested in the barter and trade concept. You don’t need to be taking classes at the school to attend!
