WORK-TRADE AGREEMENT - Ozarks Church Of Nature

WORK-TRADE AGREEMENT for Ozarks Church of Nature & Magical Food Forest

This agreement describes the basic expectations for a work-trade arrangement at the Ozarks Church of Nature & Magical Food Forest. Our goal is not to create a boss/employee relationship or a rigid work schedule.

Our goal is simple:

Independent people contributing to the care and development of a shared place in exchange for the opportunity to stay here under mutually agreed conditions.

We believe people do their best work when they are able, whenever practical, to contribute through things they enjoy, know how to do, or would genuinely like to learn. At the same time, homestead life sometimes includes ordinary tasks and emergencies that simply need to be handled. Clear communication, honesty, follow-through, and mutual respect are more important here than punching a time clock.

THE BASIC WORK-TRADE EXCHANGE

Unless another arrangement is made in writing, the general work-trade expectation is approximately ONE HOUR OF CONTRIBUTION PER DAY ON AVERAGE.

This does not necessarily mean exactly one hour every calendar day.

For example:

One day may involve several hours on a project.
Another day may involve no work at all.
Seasonal projects may temporarily require more participation.
Illness, weather, emergencies, travel, or other circumstances may change the normal rhythm.
Contributions may sometimes be completed in larger blocks rather than daily.

The goal is reasonable, consistent participation over time. We are far more interested in whether someone contributes honestly and reliably than whether a stopwatch says exactly sixty minutes.

WHAT THE SANCTUARY PROVIDES

The specific living arrangement will vary by person and location. Depending upon the arrangement, the sanctuary may provide permission to use an approved portion of the property for a self-contained campsite, RV, vehicle, shelter, or other approved living setup.

Unless specifically agreed otherwise, the sanctuary does not automatically provide:

Electricity
RV hookups
Sewer hookups
Water directly to individual sites
Trash service
Meals
Transportation
Personal care
Internet service
Construction of personal housing
Financial support
Employment
Wages
Business ownership
Governmental or mailing address use

Any additional arrangement should be discussed clearly rather than assumed.

WHAT THE PARTICIPANT PROVIDES

The participant is expected to remain generally self-contained and responsible for their own daily life.

This includes responsibility for:

Food
Cooking
Personal supplies
Shelter
Transportation
Power
Water storage
Sanitation
Trash removal
Personal property
Animals
Daily housekeeping
Personal finances
Personal appointments and obligations

Community members may help one another voluntarily. Occasional mutual assistance is part of community. Ongoing dependence upon the hosts is not part of the work-trade exchange.

CHOOSING CONTRIBUTIONS

Whenever reasonably possible, participants are encouraged to contribute in areas that match their interests, strengths, skills, or learning goals.

Possible contributions may include:

Gardening
Medicinal herb care
Food forest maintenance
Planting
Watering
Mulching
Harvesting
Food preservation
Animal care
Trail maintenance
Landscaping
Building
Carpentry
Repairs
Painting
Cleaning shared areas
Organizing
Cooking for voluntary shared meals
Market preparation
Event assistance
Art or creative projects
Teaching or sharing useful skills
Mechanical work
Property maintenance
Other mutually agreed contributions

No person is expected to know how to do everything. Questions are welcome. Learning is welcome. Honest limitations are welcome. Pretending to know how to do something that creates a safety risk is not.

NO CONSTANT SUPERVISION

This property operates best with people who can work independently. Hosts do not want to assign every minute of another adult’s day or repeatedly remind someone to fulfill commitments they already made.

Participants are encouraged to:

Notice what needs attention
Ask when unsure
Communicate before beginning major projects
Follow through on agreed tasks
Speak up if something is not working
Request a different contribution when an assigned or chosen task is not a good fit

A healthy work-trade relationship should not require one adult to chase another adult around asking whether something was done.

AUTHORIZATION BEFORE MAJOR WORK

No participant may independently make significant or permanent changes to the property without approval.

This includes:

Cutting trees
Removing established plants
Excavating
Clearing large areas
Building structures
Installing electrical systems
Installing plumbing
Modifying wells or water systems
Modifying septic or sanitation systems
Moving major fencing
Permanently altering roads or trails
Using chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, or other treatments
Purchasing expensive materials with the expectation of reimbursement

When in doubt:

ASK FIRST. Ideas are welcome. Surprises involving chainsaws, tractors, plumbing, or $900 worth of lumber are less welcome. 😂

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Participants may use only tools, machinery, vehicles, or equipment they have been authorized to use. If a participant does not know how to safely use something, they agree to ask for instruction before using it. Safety equipment should be used when appropriate.

Damage, malfunction, or unsafe conditions should be reported rather than hidden.

HARVEST AND FOOD FOREST PARTICIPATION

The medicinal food forest is built through substantial labor throughout the year. Participants who help care for the gardens and food forest may share in available harvests according to season, abundance, household needs, preservation plans, and mutual agreement. Participation in work trade does not create unrestricted ownership of everything growing on the property.

Harvesting should be discussed when appropriate, especially concerning:

Rare plants
Medicinal plants
Seeds
Nursery plants
Crops intended for preservation
Commercial products
Plants being saved for propagation
Limited harvests

Our general philosophy is, people who participate in growing the abundance should be able to participate in enjoying the abundance. Community shares. Community also helps create what is being shared.

SHARED MEALS

Shared meals may happen frequently, occasionally, or not at all. They are social opportunities, not an obligation. Nobody is required to cook for the group. Nobody is guaranteed prepared meals. People may cook together when they choose to.

Participants remain responsible for their own food and dietary needs unless another arrangement has been specifically made.

ADDITIONAL PAID WORK

Occasionally, paid work may be available beyond the basic work-trade contribution. Paid work is separate from ordinary work trade.

If paid work is offered, the following should be discussed beforehand:

The specific project
Expected work
Rate or project payment
Materials
Approximate schedule
Any special conditions

Nobody should assume that being invited into a work-trade arrangement guarantees employment. Likewise, work exceeding the agreed work-trade contribution should not automatically be assumed to be unpaid if the parties have specifically agreed that it is paid work. Clear communication comes first.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Living or participating on the property does not automatically create:

Business ownership
Partnership
Profit sharing
Investment rights
Ownership of products
Ownership of intellectual property
Ownership of sanctuary projects

Possible business collaborations may exist. Those conversations happen separately and primarily IN PERSON after trust and compatibility have been established. Any actual business partnership should have its own separate agreement.

PERSONAL PROJECTS

Participants may have their own projects, businesses, crafts, remote work, creative pursuits, or other activities.

These are welcome when they do not:

Damage the land
Create unreasonable noise
Endanger people or animals
Interfere with sanctuary operations
Create unauthorized commercial activity on the property
Create legal or financial obligations for the property owners
Invite customers, clients, guests, or strangers onto the property without permission

Use of the property for a participant’s own commercial activity requires prior approval.

PRIVACY

Work trade does not mean constant access to the hosts or vice versa. Everyone needs privacy.

Participants agree to respect:

Private homes
Private rooms
Personal belongings
Private conversations
Private workspaces
Quiet time
Closed doors
Personal relationships
Reasonable requests for solitude

Hosts will extend the same respect to participants.

COMMUNICATION

Participants agree to communicate directly when reasonable concerns arise.

Rather than allowing resentment to build, participants are encouraged to say things such as:

“I don’t understand this.”

“I need help.”

“I don’t know how to do this.”

“I thought our agreement was different.”

“I need a day off.”

“This task isn’t working for me.”

“I have a concern.”

“This arrangement no longer feels like a good fit.”

Direct communication prevents many small problems from becoming large ones.

CONDUCT

The work-trade arrangement does not override the sanctuary’s other property rules. Participants are expected to maintain peaceful, respectful conduct. Threats, violence, harassment, intimidation, unwanted sexual advances, deliberate property damage, repeated serious disruption, or other conduct creating genuine safety concerns are incompatible with the arrangement.

Disagreement itself is not misconduct. People do not have to believe the same things. We expect people to remain capable of treating one another as human beings.

TRIAL PERIOD

All new work-trade arrangements should be considered a trial initially.

Suggested Trial Period:

Beginning Date:

Expected Review Date:

During the trial period, both sides are evaluating:

Compatibility
Communication
Contribution
Self-responsibility
Respect for boundaries
Animal compatibility
Living arrangements
Overall fit

A trial arrangement ending does not necessarily mean anyone failed. Sometimes people simply are not compatible living or working together. We desire everyone to always feel safe and welcome.

CHANGING THE ARRANGEMENT

Life changes. The work-trade arrangement may be modified by mutual agreement at any time.

Examples may include:

Different contribution levels
Different projects
Temporary absence
Changes in living location
New infrastructure
Paid work
Reduced work during illness
Seasonal changes
Transition into a longer-term arrangement

Important changes should be written down so everyone remembers the same agreement.

ENDING THE ARRANGEMENT

Either side may decide that the work-trade arrangement is no longer a good fit. Whenever circumstances permit, reasonable communication and reasonable time to transition should be provided. Immediate safety concerns may require faster action. Any ending of an arrangement will be handled subject to whatever applicable law governs the actual circumstances.

When the arrangement ends, the participant is expected to follow the applicable Departure / Property Return Agreement regarding:

Personal belongings
Vehicles
Animals
Trash
Temporary structures
Site cleanup
Property belonging to the sanctuary

NO AUTOMATIC RESIDENCY OR ADDRESS RIGHTS

Participation in work trade does not automatically authorize use of the property address for:

Mail
Driver’s licenses
Vehicle registration
Government benefits
Banking
Court documents
Business registration
Voter registration
Tax records
Other official purposes

Express permission must be obtained before using the property address.

LEGAL STATUS

This agreement describes the parties’ intended work-trade arrangement. It is not a rental or employment contract.

WORK-TRADE PARTICIPANT INFORMATION

Full Name:

Phone:

Email:

Beginning Date:

Expected Length of Initial Stay:

Approved Living Area / Site:

Primary Contributions or Areas of Interest:

Any Special Agreements:

Approximate Work-Trade Contribution:

Approximately one hour per day on average unless otherwise agreed.

Different Agreement, if applicable:

ADDITIONAL PAID WORK AGREEMENT, IF ANY:

[ ] None currently

[ ] Separate paid work arrangement exists

Details / Separate Agreement Reference:

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I have read and understand this Work-Trade Agreement.

I have had the opportunity to ask questions.

I understand what the sanctuary generally provides and what I am responsible for providing myself.

I understand the approximate contribution expected from me.

I agree to communicate honestly if circumstances change or if the arrangement is not working.

I understand that work trade does not automatically create employment, business ownership, permanent residency, or permission to use the property as my official address.

I agree to follow the applicable property, animal, environmental, safety, and conduct rules.

I understand that this arrangement begins as a trial unless otherwise agreed.

Work-Trade Participant Printed Name:

Signature:

Date:

Sanctuary Representative:

Signature:

Date:

REVIEW AFTER TRIAL PERIOD

Date Reviewed:

[ ] Continue current arrangement

[ ] Continue with modifications

[ ] Transition into a new written arrangement

[ ] Conclude work-trade arrangement

Notes / Changes:

Participant Initials:

Sanctuary Representative Initials: