I love this idea.  I wasn't aware how structured it is in present time.  Fundamentally, I find that Greed and corruption are two of our cultures greatest downfalls.  Eliminate money and things could be different.  This idea  is actually one of the parts I see, that can contribute to a peaceful revolution.  When speaking to an accountant about trades years ago she stated that it is legal to trade out services as long as it is directly associated to the type of business you do.  I paint a picture for a canvas maker in exchange for some canvases.  There is also some room for fudging on the side of giving gifts.

I'm not sure if there's a similar group in the Twin Ports or not, but TimeTraders North covers Ashland/Bayfield/Iron/Price/Sawyer Counties in Wisconsin.  Maybe they'd know of any Twin Ports-based efforts underway? 

http://www.timetradersnorth.org/contact_us.php

How is Mowing the Lawn = repairing the roof? 

The problem with the barter system is that if I know to repair a roof, why would I trade it for mowing the lawn? The level of skill needed for roofing doesn't match the skill level needed for mowing a lawn.

Thanks for all the info.

The Lawn mowing/roofing thing was off the top of my head and shouldn't be considered a real representation of the system. 

I thought patch was all but gone but looks like that was fairly recent.

A few years ago some folks in Duluth area had a barter/exchange/local currency thing going--they called their currency "Zukes," (for zuchinni) and allowed exchanges for home made goods, arts, garden produce, work, etc. I don't think it is active anymore--I'll ask some friends who were involved. 

Brings up many complex relocalization questions (for example, if someone uses a barter exchange to conduct business that makes use of roads built using local taxes, are they "free-loading" by not paying taxes on the exchange?)