Labor Exchange (LEX)

Labor Exchange, affectionately referred to as LEX, is a popular
program among the FEC communities. People who want to take a break from
their home community are nearly always welcome as visiting workers at
the other communities, and receive credit at home for the hours
completed. Just like members, guests on labor exchange receive a place
to stay, food, and other amenities. Length of labor exchange varies
from a few hours (for communities located within a few miles of each
other) to several weeks.

These relationships are built into the fabric of our community
rhythms. For example, Sandhill Farm in Missouri relies heavily on
outside help to bring in the harvest of their main sorghum crop each
fall. It's a high energy time there. In the winter when the farm and
garden season is restful, Sandhill folks head out to the other
communities to repay the labor they received.

The FEC supports labor exchange with travel subsidies, available
with our LETS program. Any of our member communities are also free to
set up labor exchange with other communities as they see fit, whether
or not those communities are part of our association.