The Barter Barn
Traditionally, bartering systems were used within the local community. For example, a farmer with eggs and milk can trade them to the local baker for a birthday cake and a loaf of bread. The baker then uses the milk and eggs to bake more bread, which she gives to the appliance repairman as payment for repairing her oven.
Once again we see the world shifting from monetary middleman to exchanging goods and services again. This is a vital step in securing our own freedoms again. To get things build, fixed, to put food on the table and gain some security to our daily lives that doesn't revolve around money.
We believe that this system embodies the idealistic community mindset. It helps us not only interact but value and respect our neighbors on a whole other level. It allows farmers and families to focus on their strengths and trade off what they have or what they can do for what they need rather than trying to do ALL the things.
Want to see our Barter Barn?
We Made a Facebook Group Just for Barter and Trade Statewide. You can connect with your neighbors, locals, or map out bartering opportunities on your next roadtrip!
*Currently seeking one more admin or moderator for the group! *
What's in the Barn?- Barter offers updated weekly
Harvest Help
Grain Grinding
Grain Grinding
Harvest means long hours and tight schedules. We're happy to barter some of that time when it's available so you can take a breather. Baling, discing, drilling and harvesting knowledge means you supply the machine, we'll supply the manpower.
Grain Grinding
Grain Grinding
Grain Grinding
Are you looking to reduce your overhead on feed this year? We have a grinder and are happy to barter its use!
4H housing
Grain Grinding
4H housing
IF you or someone you know needs a place to house their small 4H projects and is happy to barter their youth we're happy to have a helping set of hands!
Education
Hatching Services
4H housing
Great option for anyone wanting to get some hands on education on a barter price tag. What do you want to learn? What do you have to trade? Maybe we can learn something from you!
Hatching Services
Hatching Services
Hatching Services
We have a big and enormously efficient incubator. It'd be great to barter it's usage to keep it running smooth without becoming hoarders.
Raw labor
Hatching Services
Hatching Services
Sometimes you just need a set of hands without the strings. Happy to barter raw labor up for trade to fill in our gaps.
Eggs!
Started Pullets
Started Pullets
We're seeing a LOT of eggs this spring! Eating eggs and breed specifics for hatching. (Bielefelder, Delaware, Silver laced Wayandotte and Easter Eggers)
Started Pullets
Started Pullets
Started Pullets
Already feathered and ready to start laying this summer. Barnyard mixes mostly but we've gone through the hard work of hatching, brooding and making sure a hen IS a hen. No surprises, just a long life of productivity ahead.
The History of Barter & Trade
The first Exchange
Mesopotamia tribes were likely the starting point of the bartering system back in 6000 BC. Phoenicians saw the process, and they adopted it in their society. These ancient people utilized the bartering system to get the food, weapons, and spices they needed. Because of salt's great value, Roman soldiers bartered their services for the empire in exchange for salt. In Colonial America, the colonists used bartering to get the goods and services they needed. Even after the invention of money, people continued to barter.
Free Trade on the Frontier
Colonial Americans exchanged musket balls, deer skins, and wheat. Many trading posts were established such as the Platte river and Laramie Post. Playing their own part in shaping trade routes across the nation; many of which would become a network of roads or cattle trails. Trading posts eventually became more akin to banks with the inclusion of notes. When money was invented, bartering did not end, it become more organized
Trade Thrived on a Thin budget
Due to lack of money, bartering became popular in the 1930s during the Great Depression. It was used to obtain food and various other services. Many banks brought back trade and bartering options with a mix of monetary inclusion for bartered services that resulted in sold goods to pay off a persons bank note. Most likely this is where the idea of loans and credit came about... but that's for another topic.