What you didn’t need to bring was your wallet.
- Fresh produce at the first Urban Farm Collective market
At the Urban Farm Collective’s first summer market yesterday, no money changed hands. Pounds and pounds of fresh beet greens, deep red strawberries, edible flowers, onions and herbs went home with dozens of members who came for the season opener, but all was “bought” through exchanging volunteer hours for a share of the harvest.
The UFC has completely done away with the cash market system and introduced a unique work-trade or “barter” system. For one hour spent weeding, planting and getting dirty in one of the group’s ten gardens, working members receive one barter share of the harvest, called a “slug.” Neighbors who provide water or land also receive a portion of the overall harvest. Extra produce not used at the market is donated to the St. Andrew’s Church food pantry.
So get dirty in our gardens and join us for next Monday’s market to redeem your slugs!
The market is held every Monday evening at the St. Andrew’s Church parking lot (NE 9th and Alberta).
- UFC volunteers redeem their hours for shares of the harvest
