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The Urban Homesteaders

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In Memory

Urban Homestead Facts

LOCATION
Pasadena, CA
(Northwest Pasadena, one mile from downtown Pasadena)

PROPERTY SIZE
1/5 acre (66' x 132' / 8,712 sq.ft.)

GARDEN SIZE
~ 1/10 acre (3,900 sq.ft. / ~ 66' x 66')

GARDEN DIVERSITY
Over 350 different vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries

FOOD PRODUCED
6,000 lbs annually
challenging for 10,000 lbs in 2008 (read more)

URBAN HOMESTEAD SUPPORTS
4 full-time adults, volunteers, and many clients

ENERGY USAGE
6.5 kwh day (and going down!)

SOLAR POWER PRODUCED
8000 kwh ( as of 5/31/08)

GALLONS OF BIODIESEL MADE (since 2003)
1,000 gallons (as of 2/12/08)

"EARTH IMPACT FOOTPRINT"
5.2 acres per person

Tally Ho 2008

PRODUCE
2,100 lbs (6/31)

EGGS
Chicken 518 & Duck 640 (6/22)

HONEY
53 oz (5/19)

Steps Taken

Everyday Steps

Growing 99 % of produce
- 6,000lbs on 1/10 acre

Food Preservation/Storage:
- canning
- drying
- freezing

In the Kitchen:
- baking/cooking from scratch
- yogurtmaking
- breadmaking
- cheesemaking
- sprouting
- cast iron cookware
- no dishwasher or microwave

Food Choices:
- buying in bulk
- organic
- local
- eating seasonaly
- reducing "food miles"
- fair trade
- vegetarian(over 17 years)

Raising Small Farmstock:
- chickens (eggs/manure)
- ducks (eggs/manure)
- dwarf rabbits (manure)
- dwarf/pygmy goats (milk/manure)

Composting Methods:
- making/using EM Bokashi
- vermicomposting
- composting food, garden and green waste

Fuel:
- homebrewing biodiesel
- running diesel car on biodiesel(~4,000 miles a yr)

Energy Conservation:
- "powering down"
- cut daily energy use in 1/2 12 kwh to 6 kwh a day
- 12 solar panels
- "green" power
- rechargeable batteries
- line drying clothes

Energy Efficient Appliances:
- washing machine
- refridgerator
- water heater(gas)

Energy Efficient Electronics:
- computer/printer/copier
- TV(no cable)/VCR/ DVD

Energy Efficient Lighting:
- compact fluorescent bulbs
- olive oil lamps
- oil lamps filled with biodiesel
- homemade soy & beeswax candles
- daylighting
- solar tube

Non-electrical Appliances / Hand-powered
- blender
- toaster
- grinder(s)
- popcorn popper
- solar oven(s)
- hand washer/wringer
- pedal powered grain mill
- straight razor
- handcranked radio
- mortar & pestle

Natural beauty/no makeup
Homemade Non-toxic Beauty Care Products
- toothpaste
- deoderant

Biodegrable/Non-toxic Cleaning Products:
- vinegar
- baking soda
- lemon juice

Natural Health Practices:
- homeopathy
- herbal remedies
- prevention

Water Conservation Efforts:
- low flush toilets
- toilet lid sink
- reusing laundry water
- limit toilet flushings
- limit baths/showers - mulching
- handwatering
- clay pot irrigation
- solar outdoor shower
- front load washer
- food not lawns

Hand powered garden tools:
- push mower
- broom, rake
- trowel, shovel
- hand clippers

Self-employed Working at home:
- honey business
- produce/flower business
- craft business

Crafts & Skills:
- winemaking
- survival skills
- edible landscaping
- sewing
- leatherwork
- fiber arts
- animal husbandry
- holistic care
- tinctures
- carpentry
- plumbing
- building
- haircutting
- bicycle repairs
- soapmaking
- candlemaking
- herbs
- urban farming
- website design
- photography
- self publishing
- video & graphics

Living Simply:
- making use or do without
- bartering
- monthly shopping trips
- reduce, reuse & recycle
- second hand clothes
- salvage/thrift store
- consume less

Passive Cooling:
- no AC
- wood floors
- blinds
- windows
- screen doors
- edible forest
- "living" screens
- solar attic fan

Heating:
- no central heat
- woodstove that uses scrap wood
- dress in layers

Walking the old paths:
- tithing
- day of rest
- stewardship

Saving seeds
Unschooling
Beekeeping

DIY Projects:
- solar oven
- cob oven
- solar outdoor shower
- depaved driveway/patio
- installed solar panels
- roofing
- sheds, etc
- animal enclosure, etc
- this website
- urban homesteading

Using canvas bags on shopping trips / no plastic

Transportation:
- biodiesel "veggie" vehicle
- 4 "car free" days a week
- walk
- bike
- carpool
- mass transit
- cross country train trips
- 2 airplane trips in 25 years

"Green" Home Upgrades:
- metal roof

Outreach/helping others along the path

CURRENT TRAILS

Growing 10k on 1/10
Rainwater
Waste water recovery

Support

We Support








« HOMESTEAD HAPPENINGS | Main | NOT SO GOOD NEWS »

FILM & POTLUCK

June 23, 2008



Reminder PTF will be hosting a film screening of the French documentary THE WORLD ACCORDING TO MONSANTO and local, vegetarian potluck at the school adjacent to the urban homestead this Sunday, June 29th (starting at 6:00 pm)

LOCATION

Due to our growing local “events” mailing list, we have had to expand to hold events in a larger space than the urban homestead provides. The screening event will be held at the lovely grounds/facility of the school next door to Path to Freedom, which provides off the street and secure parking facilities. Please enter the parking lot at 651 N. Orange Grove in Pasadena on the north side of the street.

The dinner and screening will be held outside in a covered area with tables and chairs provided. There is also a wonderful grassy area, so bring a blanket if you wish to enjoy a picnic style on the lawn.

Besides our PTF Urban Homestead information booth, other organizations will be on hand - our good friends at C.I.C.L.E are one such local organization.

SUPPORT

By popular demand, PTF’s revolutionary trowel logo is now available on a T-shirt. If you would like to spread the message and help support the outreach work of PTF, the first run of eco-printed, organic t-shirts with the homegrown revolution logo will be available for purchase at $20.00 each.

Buy a t-shirt at the event and get a few FREE SEED packets!

FOOD & DRINK

We endeavor to make our each of our events as “eco-friendly” as possible. We have instigated a “low or zero waste policy” by providing reusable or compostable plates, cups, and utensils to ensure there is no unnecessary waste. All other waste (i.e., plastic wrappers, glass bottles, food containers, etc) and food scraps are recycled, reused, composted or fed to our pet chickens and ducks. If possible, please bring your own reusable plates, cup, and utensils.

Reserve your space today!

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Topics: Events & Outreach, Posts by Anais | Tags:

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2 Responses to “FILM & POTLUCK”

  1. PhoenixJen Says:
    June 23rd, 2008 at 12:51 pm

    A myriad of thanks for all that you folks do! Wish I lived closer so I could attend. However, I am lucky enough to have be involved with a great community of like-minded folks in Phoenix.

    Keep on doing what you’re doing - you’ve insired so many. (and thanks for not only “doing” but “blogging about the doings” - otherwise none of us virtual types would have the benefit of your knowledge.)

    PhoenixJen

  2. Ester Perez Says:
    June 28th, 2008 at 7:37 am

    You are such an inspiration to me. I really appreciate everything that you are doing to educate others on sustainable living, but most important of all, leading by example. I have started my garden with some herbs, tomatoes, peppers and strawberries in pots, and I am including my 11 month old daughter in everything. She helps w/ watering and so forth, so she too can be involved. I now see the importance of educating her in growing & appreciating homegrown food since she is young, and a huge plus is she loves nature. I will be expanding our garden with help from Heart Beet Gardening. Thank you for making a difference in our lives.

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