In this episode of Planet Money, we explore the Osing Land Lottery in rural Germany, a unique tradition that has been around for 500 years. In this lottery, farmers are randomly assigned land plots for a decade. While the process may seem outdated with its manual methods and the need to walk from plot to plot, it emphasizes fairness over efficiency. After the lottery, a secondary market develops where farmers trade plots to better suit their crops, showcasing a blend of tradition and practical economic adaptation. Despite its old-fashioned approach, the lottery strengthens community ties and ensures that everyone has a fair shot at quality land, even if it means trading later to find the best fit.
