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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
9000 kwh ( as of 10/20/08)
GALLONS OF BIODIESEL MADE (since 2003)
1,500 gallons (as of 2/12/08)
"EARTH IMPACT FOOTPRINT" 5.2 acres per person
Tally Ho 2008
PRODUCE
4,340 lbs (9/31/08)
EGGS
Chicken 921 & Duck 1028 (10/22/08)
HONEY
25 lbs (10/20/08)
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
« UNUSUAL EDIBLES | Main | BACKYARD BARNYARD Part 4 LIVING GREEN CHANNEL »
August 14, 2008
Prince Charles sparks debate over GM crops claims
The Prince accused large corporations of conducting experiments with nature, which had, he said “gone seriously wrong”. His comments were supported by Patrick Holden, a director of the Soil Association.
“If we go down this path I think we will put this country at risk. There could be a period of great difficulty in the next 10 or 20 years,” Mr Holden said. “No evidence has emerged from the first round of GM crops of any public benefits. They have actually increased pesticide use in the farms that have used them.”
Read full article
If there’s one place on earth in which to visit, a place we’d really love to see the Prince’s organic farm in Highgrove.
Or better yet perhaps we can have him come speak here on the urban homestead… one can dream, yeah?
Tags:
gmo,
prince charles
Topics: Mixed Greens (News), Posts by Anais | Tags: gmo, prince charles
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August 14th, 2008 at 7:47 am
I know, I never thought he was a bad egg. And I’m sure he’d be impressed with your place as well.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Yay for Prince Charles! I too would love to visit his place. I’m so happy someone in such a high place, figurehead or no, is bringing awareness of organics and the problems with GMOs. Thanks for linking this article.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Wow, I didn’t know he was a Green Geek like us! I’m very happy that someone as prominent as he is is speaking out! Thank you for the link to the article and to his farm.
August 14th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
England is an exceptionally eco aware country, people were doing their “carbon footprint” several years ago well before mainstream media picked it up in North America!
Well done Charles!!
August 14th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
I’ve always thought Prince Charles had a lot more going on that he got credit for. Instead of being a celeb, he’s taken on causes of sustainability and good sense.
I think the tide may be beginning to go against GM crops. It makes sense to demand proof of efficacy or harm, and now that proof is starting to flood in.
August 14th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Now if only he can convince Parliment to outlaw GMO seeds in the UK, that may spark similar debate here in Congress. That’s what needs to happen as the government complex is infiltrated to the highest levels with Monsanto’s goons. Heck, they may even have enough votes on the Supreme Court to rule anything done unconstitutional. Insanity.