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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
« LAST EVENT OF THE YEAR | Main | WEEKLY MEAL WRAP UP »
December 31, 2008
Look for a FIRST HAND ACCOUNT by Jules Dervaes in the Feb-Mar issue of Mother Earth. On newsstands and in subscribers mailbox in late January.
As I have said before, we don’t like to solicit ourselves and though many have asked why we haven’t been in this magazine or that we just don’t approach them that’s all. In this case Mother Earth approached us and asked if we would consider writing an article.
I know now you are asking, “well if you don’t solicit yourselves then how have you gotten so much media attention?” The truth is most, if not all, have contacted us.
Ok, now that that’s clear, back the article. We’ve seen the article and it’s quite a spread! With nearly 14 of our very photos and a 2,000 word article written by Farmer D.
Farmer D has a special place for ‘Mother’ in his heart. It’s with a suitcase full of the first 13 issues of Mother Earth that he immigrated to New Zealand and started homesteading.
Nearly 30+ years later, his story is finally featured in Mother Earth. What a journey.
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY
If you don’t have a subscription to Mother Earth you can purchase one from us for $5.00 plus $2.00 S & H
If you are ordering from overseas or Canada, please note that additional shipping charges will apply. Monies made from the sales of MEN will go entirely to supporting this site and outreach.
Thank you.
:: Field Hand Appreciation :: MC $25. Your donation is greatly appreciated. Many blessing to all our wonderful supporters.
Tags:
homesteading,
mother earth,
mother earth magazine,
mother earth news,
Urban Homestead
Topics: PTF Spotlights, Posts by Anais | Tags: homesteading, mother earth, mother earth magazine, mother earth news, Urban Homestead
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PATH TO FREEDOM
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"LITTLE HOMESTEAD"
DERVAES GARDENS
URBAN HOMESTEADING
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December 31st, 2008 at 7:37 am
The journey of life is such a circle! How appropriate that your father would be featured in Mother Earth News! Both that publication and your family’s lifestyle remain constant sources of inspiration for those of us taking our first baby steps down our own Paths of Freedom. May the New Year bring you continued blessings in your work and family.
December 31st, 2008 at 8:14 am
Cool! I have been reading MEN almost as long as your journal (3yrs now) and both have have had a great impact on how I live. I’m looking forward to seeing y’all I’m my fave zine!
December 31st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Well done guys. Mother Earth News is actually available here in Tasmania at my local newsagent so I am familiar with the magagzine
December 31st, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Congratulations! Now if I can only wait patiently for next months issue to arrive!
January 1st, 2009 at 3:02 pm
I have been reading Mother Earth since the 70’s…its the only magazine i will buy for life. I had often wondered why you all were not on the front cover…im so glad to hear they are doing a story!!!
January 4th, 2009 at 5:29 am
[...] invited to premier Homegrown Revolution at the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival, and PTF to be featured in Mother Earth News in February we are already starting off this year at a full-out [...]
January 8th, 2009 at 11:34 am
COOL!!!! My favorite website featured in my favorite magazine!
January 19th, 2009 at 11:01 am
[...] be getting the Mother Earth News Magazine in your mailboxes if you are subscribers. Look for a First Hand Account by Jules Dervaes. Not to mention the entire spread of photos were taken by us and they are certainly candy for the [...]