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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
« WEEKLY MEAL WRAP UP x2 | Main | LOVIN’ REMINDERS »
February 7, 2010
Actually I’ve come to dread going into the animal yard with a camera. Why? Because I end up with like a bazillion photos. These guys, er gals, are just too fun to be around.
So this time around Jordanne took the camera into her possession and snapped a few photos
You just saw synchronized preening and here’s another sport our hens love to do in the afternoons - dust bathing. It’s all about beauty and bliss. Why do critters have it so easy! Darned if I know.
What’s all the commotion?
It’s dust bath time! Of course, Lucie is the first to start the mid afternoon ritual.
Frontside, now the backside - ahhh that feels good.
Sairey joins in. Get that dust under those long and purty feathers of yours.
Rolling over, got to get the back.
Sissy’s turn.
and Biddy.
Ah, pure bliss.
Blackberry watches the bathing beauties and their cleaning routine.
Watching the animals taking care of themselves, got me thinking. Then talking it over with sis, saying we got to be back into our “taking care of ourselves” routine that went out the window these last two years because we were just too darn busy or tired. I know, I know no excuses, but - but! This year gonna steal some time and do some stretching/yoga or whatever you call it. Either that or will be sleeping with Mr Hotwater bottle for a very long time.
Tags:
Chickens,
homestead
Topics: Chickens, Citified Farm Animals, Posts by Anais | Tags: Chickens, homestead
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PATH TO FREEDOM
PEDDLER'S WAGON
FREEDOM GARDENS
"LITTLE HOMESTEAD"
DERVAES GARDENS
URBAN HOMESTEADING
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February 7th, 2010 at 10:18 am
I do believe that chickens are hands down the best pet on earth…
February 7th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Animals are such good entertainment and always so photogenic. I need to invest more time in my own care too this year. I have gotten out of the habit of doing the small routines that keep me flexible and healthy.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Hey there, sorry I’ve been out of touch. I see you’ve been even more busy than usual! So envious of your trip - thanks for sharing all the pics.
I wanted to ask Jordanne to change the Paypal button back the way it was last year when it was possible to sign up for recurring monthly donations. [I checked, and it's not hard to do.] That way, we can afford to give a little bit every month without worrying about forgetting.
Thanks.
February 8th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Hi. I live in Greensburg, Kansas, and after a devastating tornado in 2007, our town is rebuilding as a “green town”. I am looking for a good fact sheet that will show our city council why keeping backyard chickens and goats is a good thing, and how it fits with the “green town”. Currently, even though we are a farming community, no chickens or goats are allowed in the city limits. Any suggestions as to where to look? Thanks.