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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
« COLD & WET | Main | WEEKLY MEAL WRAP UP »
February 16, 2009
On Thursday Jordanne & Farmer D headed down to Newport Beach for a planning and think session with the Planning Center and special guest John Thackara
They got there early and had a chance to chat with Thackara and few others before the meeting started. Jordanne said that a lot of folks came up saying how much PTF was such an inspiration to them. After breakfast was served, Thackara gave a presentation about the sustainable advances of European cities.
Farmer D was up next with a brief 15 minute presentation on the impact of one and the importance of starting small and not waiting for others to start. On wrapping up, Farmer D left the audience there with three questions/challenges
CHALLENGE #1
Let the Sun Shine In
(on the one side of the slide was photo of a towering condo development within a few feet of a typical one story home)
CHALLENGE #2
For the End of the Century
“ I don’t think the American public has gripped in its gut what could happen. We’re looking at a scenario where there’s no more agriculture in California. I don’t actually see how they can keep their cities going.”
Secretary of Energy
Stephen Chu (Feb 3, 2009)
QUESTION
City codes could make it difficult to overcome the status quo.
Could “a bad apple” lead to the banning of what is still seen as new and different?
Jordanne said that many of the people took the thinking small to heart hearing them discuss that many people just think of the big picture and wait for funding or grants to start. It’s all about stepping out and taking that first step on your own - earning your own way.
Then after everyone made their presentations each group took a challenge or a question posed by the presenters to a round table discussion where they would brainstorm to come up with solutions. Those attending this session were made up of city officials, community activists, foundation and corporate representatives.
The one question that one group chose from Farmer D’s presentation was relating to revising city codes. Farmer D made reference to a So Cal city which is trying to outlaw chickens, ducks and more
Jordanne of course threw her two, more like three, cents in over this, saying that there are ways to go about making responsible laws allowing pet chickens and other pet barnyard animals with respectable animal limits (like Pasadena) and issued permits if necessary.
:: Field Hand Appreciation :: EB $10 donation. Thank you for your support.
Tags:
inspiration,
john thackara
Topics: Community, Posts by Anais | Tags: inspiration, john thackara
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February 16th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Having grown up in San Clemente, I am disappointed and yet unsurprised by their proposed ordinance. Putting in more realistic limitations, like setback requirements (how LA deals with chickens) and acreage/animal requirements is much more realistic. At least the measure was postponed so they could revamp it with [hopefully!] more functional limitations. Education and licensing is a potential answer - even most of the people I know who research their animals before acquiring them learn they knew barely enough when they start keeping them - having an education program in place to convey the truly important, key points to folk before they take animals on wouldn’t be a bad thing. Most responsible animal owners I know would LOVE a detailed central source for data.
February 16th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
That is just insane. I sure hope they don’t include you in that (I don’t know your area). If so, could you at least earn an exemption as a farm? You sell your crops and eggs to restaurants. That should more than qualify.
Grrr. They should at the very least grandfather folks in.
February 17th, 2009 at 7:31 am
And hay: it was a pleasure and inspiration to meet with you. Thanks so much for taking the time to come.
May 30th, 2009 at 1:30 am
[...] as long as their home sits at least 100 feet from another house or lot. Residents who live on smaller lots cannot obtain permits.Although the proposal to ban all farm animals, such as chickens, cows and [...]