Caretakers of creation

Celebrating Creation & Holy Week with all sorts of outreach!

Although we couldn't attend all the events we were invited to (sorry, folks, perhaps next year!)  due to conflict of schedules with Holy Week, we still did have a jam packed week!!!

In Pasadena, there was a  "Harvest Homesteaders" canning class, now going on three years in a row.    Jordanne and  I agreed that these girls were the best yet.   All the jam made that morning will be donated to a local food bank.  Great job girls!

Next, Jordanne and Farmer D headed off to another school where they were guests at a school assembly (where our two bantie chickens made appearances).

After watching our film Homegrown Revolution,  all the kids were chanting "Blackberry, Blackberry, Blackberry!"   Farmer D spoke to the kids about the importance of "food miles."  The students  were all eyes and ears!

Then we were  off on a small road trip where our family was the  special honorary guest, once again, of the wonderful community of Palm Springs.   We had to leave Justin behind.  Well, actually, he REALLY wanted to stay home because, just as we were about to leave, I spotted a pretty decent swarm going into one of Justin’s traps (more about the free-bees later!)

After the screening of our award winning film and Q & A session, a local organic dinner was served - pretty neat to see a dish of nopales (cactus).    A BIG thank you to Leslie, Ward,Geraldine & Yolanda for their extraordinary hard work and warm hospitality in Palm Springs and to local teacher Lauren and administrator Jill for some great interaction with kids.

The weather was pretty wild in Palm Springs - it WAS REALLY windy!   "White caps" were spotted in the pool of the spa where we stayed.

The drive was LOVELY.  Usually on road trips, I dose off; but Southern California is gorgeous this time of year, the hills green and gold with wild mustard.  And, last, but not least, on the way home we stopped  in Corona to see our favorite farm and farmer to pick up some wonderful farm bounty.

I sure wished I could have enjoyed the trip and outings more.  But earlier  that day, I reached up and something "popped" (shudder) and I had back/shoulder pain the whole time.  Man,  it hurt so badly I could hardly lift my arm to give out HUGS (they ended more like awkward chest bumps!)

Once home, I put a hot water bottle on my back and after a good night's sleep, my shoulder is MUCH better.  Ahhhh.   Sure glad it’s better. I was worried there for a bit,  knowing I had a arms length of “heavy duty” chores waiting when I got back.

Hope everyone had a blessed and meaningful Holy Week.

Cutting up local organic strawberries purchased from farmer's market

Mashing!

Filling up the jars

Putting on the tops

Morning assembly

Educating about food miles

What's in the box?

A BIG squash!

Estella shows off

Desert Hot Springs

Introducing the film to eco particpants

This guy had a pretty cool wind mill - I want one!

Ahhh, paradise.

Welcoming the kids

Kicking off spring with our first school tour of the season.

The tour started off by explaining what an urban homestead is and how it can reduce our dependency on outside sources.

"From the things we have to do before we can learn them; we learn by doing them." -- Aristotle

As we went through our front yard, we explained that not only is the yard our “grocery store" but it is also our "pharmacy”  as we pointed out all the edible plants and herbs.

Upon entering the backyard, the kids began to “oooh and aaah” as a whole new world opened up right before their very eyes.    We asked the students if they knew how many miles their food traveled and gave them tips how to eat more locally.

As we gathered into the main patio and the students took their seats, the fun began!   First,  it’s “Smell 'n Tell”  as we  handed  out fragrant herbs from the garden to test their olfactory senses.

It’s not only about smell but taste, too.  So,  I whipped up some fresh chard wraps stuffed with hummus and tabouli (made with homegrown mints, green onions , parsley and canned tomatoes).   Jordanne pedaled the bike blender to mix up some vanilla yogurt & berry smoothies.   Both were tasty treats for everyone.

Last, but not least,  the "Backyard Barnyard" circus got  paraded out over squeals of delight, as everyone wanted to pet the chickens, ducks and goats.   They were  fascinated how soft the chickens' feathers were and the way the black feathers shone with a tint of green.  The ducks never fail to get laughs as they waddled out. Blackberry, the pygmy goat, as always, was the star of the show and she loved every minute of it.

We wrapped up the educational tour with a Q & A, discussing what small changes they could implement in their daily lives to become a more responsible consumer and caretaker of the planet.

Take a tour along with us...

Pointing out all the edibles in the front yard

Explaining about where our food comes from

Handing out the herbs

Handful of herbs

Smell n tell test

Slurping down pedal powered smoothies

Showing off the fish

and goats

Passing goodies to eat

Rainbow chard

Homemade tabouli

Chard leaf, hummus and tabouli

Makes for a yummy and healthful snack

Eating the chard wraps

All eyes and ears

Making connections

Inspiring the youth

If we are afraid to be different from the world, how can we make a difference in the world? ~Rev. John I. Jenkins

Our family had a busy weekend.    As Justin reported,  there  is there a flurry of spring plantings –a  couple hundred soil blocks made and two hundred strawberry crowns in the ground.

But we also had a local outreach work on Saturday which was held at a private home for a gathering of ladies young and old .   The theme was about "bringing the revolution home" and  how we must re-skill  in order to be less dependent on  outside resources or "the yellow pages."  Before starting the talk, we all sent up prayers for the people in Japan, noting how thankful and  blessed we all were even to have  a chance to be there that morning. After having witnessed  the destruction in Japan, we realize that  no amount of planning and preparation will save us from nature's wrath.

Narrowing down the “exodus from the home/bringing our lives back to the home” to seven points,  this brand new "lecture" with the  open discussion that followed focused on the  baby steps we all can take to slow down and take control over our modern "24/7' lives.

1. Work
2. School
3. Leisure (entertainment, sports, dating)
4. Meals
5. Communication
6. Goods & Services
7. Religion/Spirituality

I certainly gleaned a few ideas from the lively discussion that followed.

What great fun we had yesterday. Everyone is a stir and your younger sister had the girls all excited! Thank you! - MH

I think this was my favorite outreach group as I loved chatting with the younger girls who were so excited over the topics that were covered.   Many thanks goes  to MH for the invite & to the host family for the warm and generous hospitality - thank you!

Thank you for coming up and making our first (of hopefully many) "Homestand’s" a positive and successful event (estimated nearly 200 dropped in throughout the day).    Also a big thank you to those who came bearing homemade gifts and complimentary comments.   We appreciate your support!

Like to acknowledge all those who came as far as Redlands, Temecula, Palos Verdes and other surrounding cities!

Justin demos on how to make soil blocks

We know at times it got pretty hectic and swamped to where we couldn’t personally attend to everyone and your lists of questions.  We were so busy, we even didn’t around to doing some of the demo’s/skill share we had planned (canning, chickens, etc)!  Thank you for your understanding & patience as we know many of you wanted to hang around for longer.

Unfortunately, we were so busy (& frazzled at times, running to and fro) we didn't get a chance to snap photos of the even nor did we get around to bringing out the rose petal lemonade - ack!   Jordanne's Chocolate Cake made with ducks eggs sold by the slice was a big hit!   So was the bread, salad and preserves.

Should we do it again NEXT month?  What can we do better?   In fact, we are already working on a list of improvements!  I for one would like to see more foods - perhaps next time we could put a couple tables out with chair?   Ideas, ideas, ideas.

Remember our "Front Porch Farm Stand" is open daily Sun-Fri (10 am - 6 pm) so you can pick up that salad or bread you didn’t get a chance to buy at the stand yesterday.

Thank you for supporting local foods and farms.

:: Resources ::

Soil Block Maker

"We just picked up our first order from the Farm Stand and have been blown away by the bread, 3 citrus marmalade and the acorn pancake mix! Can't wait to try the greens, coffee and soap! You guys ROCK! Thanks!" - MaryBeth

Location
This expanded market day will take place on the driveway and front porch of the Urban Homestead® at 631 Cypress Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91103 ( 10 am - 6 pm with special "skill share" from 12 noon - 2 pm)

Please understand that the rest of the Urban Homestead and gardens will not be open for tours or walk-throughs. This is not an open house. This event is to showcase the products and produce of the Farm Stand and an opportunity to meet members of the Dervaes family. Tours of the urban homestead are by request; however, at this time we are only granting requests from schools on a case-by-case basis.

Produce & Product Sales
The Front Porch Farm Stand is open six days a week; however, this Sunday we will have extra organic produce and products available for purchase all day.

Please pre-order the following items to ensure that they are available for you (info@urbanhomestead.org):
Salad $5.00 4oz / 8 oz $8.00
Baguettes $4.00 ea/ 3 for $10.00
Chocolate Brioche $5.00 2 oz
Marmalade ? Meyer Lemon Vanilla ? $6.00 for half-pint jar

A selection of other produce will be in stock, including citrus and greens (endive and kale mix). Specialty products (just in time for Valentine's Day!) include: Organic Papua Coffee; White Chocolate Cranberry Pistachio Bark; handcrafted, natural soaps; and other handmade and gift items.

Items useful for your home and garden, including seed packets, will be available from the Urban Homestead Supply ? Peddler's Wagon store. You may also place your order online in advance for most products and pick up to save on shipping costs! http://www.UrbanHomesteadSupply.com/

Raising your own poultry? Poultry feed supplements, formulated here on the Urban Homestead and successfully tested on our own ?citified? farm animals, will be available!

Payment Methods
We accept cash or credit cards for orders of $25.00 and more. No checks please.

BYOB (that is, Bring Your Own BAGs)
Please bring your own bags or boxes to carry your purchases.

Informal Q & A
From 12 noon - 3:00 p.m. one or more of the Dervaes family members will be on hand for an informal "sharing session" where they will answer questions about various homesteading topics and demonstrate some of the products for sale. PLEASE NOTE: this is not a formal, sit-down presentation. The family members will be at a table and available to discuss skills of interest to those who stop by.

Thank you for your support! By attending this special Front Porch Farm Stand event and purchasing organic, locally grown produce and other items, you are helping ensure small farmers and entrepreneurs can continue to offer quality alternatives to the corporate-owned food supply and chain stores.

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Wind farm right outside the city limits

Sunday was a great day for Palm Springs! Thank you, Dervaes family, for being there for the kids, teachers, and Palm Springs Unified School District -- so much enthusiasm shared by all!! A truly great day. A special thanks from me to Justin, who pitched in above and beyond duty to help me move all those tables, chairs, and gizmos out of the hot sun. You kept going until it was done. I couldn't have done it without you, honest. WE HAD FUN!! YOU GUYS MADE A DIFFERENCE!!  - Leslie

Today was Awesome - thanks to the Dervaes for sharing so much of themselves with everyone had a great day  - RJ

The kids at the high school have started a wonderful raised bed garden.  Way to grow, guys n gals!  We look forward to hearing about your progress. You make sure to keep us posted, ya hear.

Over 100 people turned out from all over the south land.  Thanks for coming out and making this just a wonderful and high energy event! Many of us talked that day till we were hoarse.  It was really such a pleasure to meet our readers - some of you who have been following us for years and years and years!  Oh, I'd love to hear how you are enjoying the preserves!

On the way home, we stopped by Sergio's farm.  Check out his winter sowing and pick some of that wonderful weed - nettle.  Which we'll brew up.

Here are some snap shots from last Sunday's event in Palm Springs.   Wish we had taken more photos but it's hard to take pics and be involved in answering questions at the same time.

Growing a better and healthier future

Ayrton, one of the students, gave Farmer D a rousing introduction

Urban Homesteading presentation, breaking down the elements

Kids whip up healthy smoothies on our bike blender

Jordanne answers questions

Justin fields gardening questions

We chat with some really nice folks

Part of the Palm Spring's high school garden club

Picking nettles at the farm

Thank you to all those whose effort and enthusiasm made this a successful event.

"So we figure we're preparing ourselves to live simply. If you look around, you'll see riches here but it's in the form of tomatoes and peppers and animals. So we're going backwards, and I say a step backwards is progress." JULES DERVAES

Date: December 12, 2010
Time: 11 AM - 4 PM
Location: Palm Springs High School Auditorium, Palm Springs CA
Address: Palm Springs High School 2401 E. Baristo Rd. Palm Springs, CA 92262
Cost: Free film screening and free power point presentation  /  Catered dinner is $35 per person

Simple Living for Urban Dwellers & Dinner with the Dervaes family

Film Screening 11:00  (FREE)

Jules Dervaes and his family will be on hand for the screening of their award winning homemade short film titled "HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION" which tells the story of their pioneering 25 year pioneering journey to turn their ordinary home into an extraordinary urban homestead

Immediately following the screening is an (FREE) Urban Homesteading Presentation 11:30 - 2:30

Jules Dervaes will lead a presentation  how they have transformed their ordinary urban lot in Pasadena into an urban homestead & highly productive micro farm that supplies them with food year-round.

2:00 - 4:00 (Note Dinner has been changed) to Light refreshments (Donations highly suggested), roaming musicians, etc., in garden.

For more information about this event click here

On a webby note.  Jordanne updated the URBAN HOMESTEAD AT A GLANCE page.   Check it out!

Jordanne & I kicked off community outreach with canning classes at a local high school. A morning's jamming session resulted in 24 jars of strawberry jam that will be donated to a local food bank. The girls really enjoyed the fruits of their labor and of course had FUN!

Chop, chop

Mash, mash

Stir, stir

Yum, yum

Filling the jars

Into the water bath they go!

The following day Jordanne & I participated in a fair at next door's middle school selling soaps, produce and preserves (our front porch collective is growing - email info@dervaesgardens.com if interested in joining) It was great to hang out and finally meet many of the parents and teachers that we see pass our home on a daily basis.

To market with local produce and goods

Our friend henna's hands

The week of outreach ended at another local school, this time at the beautiful campus of Cal Tech.

Over 100 people packed the room for the presentation and, for a treat, we brought some homegrown guavas and preserves for folks to enjoy after the film screening and presentation - which was devoured completely!

Full house

Folks line up afterwards

Answering questions

Chatting with neighbors

In the lobby for meet and greet

Thanks to Lauren at Westridge, the folks at New Horizon (and our friend Romana), along with Rose & Ronnie, Net Impact Group and Cal Tech for such a great and productive week.

Would you like to invite PTF to give a presentation or workshop at your school or community event? contact us

Have a great weekend everyone, I'll be back next week with snapshots and tales from the urban homestead.

"You made a difference in my life. You changed the way I think."

- Student who came up to Farmer D afterward

From emails:

Please tell Jules that we loved having him, and were very impressed by everything he had to say. I know that our students left with much more knowledge, which will get them thinking about their personal everyday eating choices.  We greatly enjoyed and appreciated being a part of Jules' passion for what he does. His influence will constantly guide us

-Sandra

I was blown away by your presentation yesterday and I feel almost obligated to help other students make the right choice by giving them the option to actually make a choice! Thank you again for taking the time to share what you have done with us

-Ben

Farmer D made another visit to UCLA to talk about one of the most important issues of our time - food.   From the front lines: land and soil to seed diversity, corporate control of our food by Monsanto and finally food and nutrition.  You can hear the audio of the lecture here (he's the last of two speakers)

Like to have Farmer D give a presentation at your school or community event?  Visit JulesDervaes.com

What: Downtown LA Film & Food Fest
When: Saturday Sept 11
Time: 3:00 PM Food Panel & Discussion / 4:00 PM (HGR film showing)
Where: The Medallion Loft Complex corner of 4th & Main Streets
Cost: $10 advance / $15 at the door Ticket information

Film Screening

Eco-pioneers Jules Dervaes and his family will be on hand for the screening of their award winning homemade short film titled "HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION" (starting at 4 PM) which tells the story of their 20 year pioneering quest to perfect the urban homesteading alternative lifestyle.

Panel & Discussion

Jules Dervaes will also be participating in the "Slow Food in the Urban Experience" panel discussion with other local foodies. The panel will take place from 3 pm to 4:30 pm; The topic of the panel is GREAT GREEN FOOD; please visit  http://www.dffla.com/events/sustainable-la/for more information on the panel and topic

Event Details

L.A.’s street food phenomenon gets the big screen treatment with Taco Cinema — a gourmet street food & film fest rolled into one. Your $10 advance ticket ($15 at door) gets you access to 25+ trucks, serving every conceivable international variation on L.A.’s favorite dish – the taco! It includes a beer garden on the beautifully landscaped terraces of the Medallion with live musical entertainment. And, as seating permits, free tickets to new environmental documentary films (most Los Angeles premieres) about “slow food” and other green urban living issues, playing at the Downtown Independent Theater (one-half block away):

For more information about the film festival click here