THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2011
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MONEY
PAGE 9
Bartering economy present in Lawrence
BY HANNAH DAVIS hdavis@kansan.com
During the hot Kansas summer, Brady Karlin's day begins at 4:30 a.m., well before the sun first greets his fields. Karlin spends the 16 hours between the start and end of his workday digging, planting, and tending to his herbs, asparagus and tomatoes.
Like most farmers, Karlin doesn't wage a daily battle with Mother Nature for the money. In fact, if customers cannot give Karlin a piece of artwork, a homemade microbrew or an original poem Karlin will dispense his homegrown zucchini for free.
Karlin Family Farms, 3303 Kasold Dr., is an experiment in "gift economics." In gift economies, participants trade goods and services rather than exchanging currency.
"We all have our own unique talents," Karlin said. "I see those talents as gifts we can share with each other."
Karlin's farm is just one example of a bartering economy. As the economy continues to struggle, gift economies are becoming commonplace in Lawrence, ranging from Craigslist swaps to plans for a downtown holistic healing collective.
Craigslist is littered with owners looking to part with a dishwasher in exchange for a deep fryer. Zoe Smith, a stay-at-home mom and licensed massage therapist, said her family has been hit hard by the economy.
"This past year money has gotten tighter and tighter," she said. "They say the recession is over but I am just not seeing it.
Both Smith and her husband, a cobbler, have skills they offer in lieu of cash. Smith's vacuum broke last week and she took to Craigslist to offer massage gift certificates
in exchange for a working bagless vacuum. Smith hasn't had any offers yet but the system worked for her in the past. Smith traded six hours worth of massage gift certificates for a $300 guitar amp. The amp's owner surprised his pregnant wife with the gift certificates and her pregnant guilty pleasure, Taco Bell.
"He called me and told me his wife started crying when he gave her the gift," Smith said. "You don't get that joy from a dollar bill transaction."
Brandon Norris recently became debt free and is determined to stay that way. Norris moved to Lawrence from Oklahoma. His very existence in Lawrence is an example
of bartering. Instead of paying rent, Norris works on the Karlin Family Farms in exchange for room and board. Norris is a part of World Wild Opportunities for Organic Farms. WWOOF places volunteers with organic farms throughout the
"He called me and told me his wife started crying when he gave her the gift. You don't get that joy from a dollar bill transaction.
ZOE SMITH takes part in bartering
world.
Since arriving in Lawrence, Norris has immersed himself in the local bartering and gift-based economies. In addition to his farm work, Norris spends hours crafting handmade unusual instruments
that he then gives away. He makes Native American flutes; kalimbas, a small thumb piano, and tongue drums.
"People can do whatever they wish with the instrument," Norris said. "But I guess ideally they would feel compelled to share their gifts with others also."
Karlin refers to his organic farm as an overall learning exploration. The construction 100 feet away from his farm on 31st Street is a daily reminder of the money driven world that surrounds his utopian experiment.
"It's a very fine line that I've walked and it has been desperate at times," Karlin said.
While Karlin explores the possibilities gift economies offer the bills continue to pile up. Karlin is currently in the middle of negotiations to extend his lease. The future of Karlin Farms is not definite. Karlin said he finds inspiration in the promise of long-term goals.
"I don't have all the answers right now, but I look forward to 10 or 15 years down the road when my hard work pays off and I can truly live off the land," Karlin said.