Grandiose Ideas

It all started with a few checks found on the ground. At the farm where we work there's an honor system that has previously worked pretty well. People leave cash in the locked box and grab their food from the stand. Another box holds small denominations for change and everyone writes down their purchases on a clipboard hanging from the table. One of the staff members clears the lock box out daily so large denominations aren't left out long to tempt anyone.

But one day when a staff worker went out to check on the stand there were a bunch of checks laying on the ground. Someone had managed to pry open the box (which is also locked to the table) and left it open. Nobody knows if they stole a bunch of cash, just wanted their cash back, or were just being jerks. Money was still in the box, but we'll never know if MORE money had been in the box earlier.

So I brought up the idea of a local currency. If we had a local currency someone might be tempted to steal it, but most people working towards building the local economy probably (hopefully) wouldn't be the type to steal. Plus we could control who was buying into our currency. Other farms in the region could accept the cash as well, bringing the farm community tighter together.

And the farm manager likes the idea. There are lots of local currencies starting up throughout the US (and world) and economists believe that it does work to reinforce local jobs and businesses. BerkShares in the Berkshires are well known around this area because of their gaining popularity and commitment to keeping local businesses alive.

In my head I started forming all kinds of alliances and companies, putting people to work, bringing manufacturing to the area, building a community center. We could have people make clothes instead of importing them from China. We could have people build electronics, instead of importing them from China. We could have people produce cookware, dinnerware, fabrics, furniture, all without importing items from China. People would have jobs! Our community would remain strong! Our future would remain positive!

Fortunately my farm manager isn't prone to grandiose ideas. She thinks small and hopes it gets big. There are all kinds of things that would need to happen to make something so large scale work and that kind of progress needs time. But our farmer's market is a much more containable project. She's got me researching how local currencies have been implemented and who acts as the bank. With a little bit more research and a presentation we might just pull of a currency for our local market. And then, if it takes off, maybe we can invite local businesses to participate. And if we can get the local community bank on board, maybe eventually we can help local citizens start a local business.

There I go again, thinking big thoughts. But that's my part of the deal, dreaming.