Growing community

Check out our updated calendar of events for May-June that include screenings of our homemade film - Homegrown Revolution (buy the DVD) at various venues across the globe (UK, Seoul, New Zealand and here locally!)

The Dawn of Smart

On June 7 at the Reel Earth Film Festival in New Zealand,Homegrown Revolution (buy the DVD) will be screened before  the featured film The Age of Stupid.

In the last two years, our little film is having a huge impact!  Sowing hope for the future.

How has this film impacted/changed your life?  Care to share?

Screening this Saturday at

Rhode Island International Film Festival
Sat. Aug 8 @ 3:00 pm
Columbus Theatre Arts Center
Providence , RI

HOMEGROWN a FILM BY ROBERT MCFALLS

By dawn, the interchange of the 134 Freeway and Interstate 210 is already starting to thrum with traffic. But only a hundred feet away, the Dervaes family has been up for hours. Their surprisingly tiny green oasis is a working farm right in the middle of Pasadena. Once seen as a nutty idea, the family homestead now produces three tons of organic produce a year.Jules and his adult children, Justin, Anaïs and Jordanne speak candidly about what shaped their family and their need for independence. We learn about Jules' father, an oil executive with a green thumb, Jules' adventures as a young man homesteading in New Zealand, and the sorrows and hardships their family has faced over the years, including divorce, lawsuits and a stint foraging for recyclable cans. We watch them wrestle with their quest to live a simple lifestyle even as their website, "Path To Freedom," demands more attention from followers around the world. Originally set up to share farming tips, it now dangles tantalizing prospects of a financial windfall. But what would it mean to sell ad space on their website instead of getting their hands dirty? Would it change their way of life if they got used to easy money? And how will Jules' children be able to buy their own homesteads and carry on in the future?There are no easy answers. But along the way, the Dervaes have grown stronger and found a tight knit community based on family, friends, good food, hard work, and the commitment to tread lightly upon the earth.

Visit the film website

What: Film Screening of CONSUME THIS MOVIE! & Local, Vegetarian Potluck

When: Sunday, July 19  (5:30 PM - 9:00 PM)

Where: 626 Cypress Ave, Pasadena CA (see map)

Cost: $10 (children under 12 are free) A small entrance fee is required to help pay for facility rental, dvd screening fee, sound system, and purchase of eco friendly compostable dinnerware

Space is limited so please RSVP by calling 626.844.4586 or filling out the online reservation form

Event Schedule

5:30 PM - event starts / Freedom Gardens Swap N Meet

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - local food potluck

7:00 PM - CONSUME THIS MOVIE! (80 minutes)

8:30 PM - discussion / pop quiz and win prizes!

9:00 PM - event ends

Film Details

See this movie when you're happy to be alive. Check out this movie when you want to make a huge difference. Absorb this movie again and again for profound insights about all our lives. But - whatever you do - Consume This Movie!”
— Ed Begley, Jr., Actor

Are Americans too materialistic? Are we willfully trashing the planetary ecology in order to serve the desires and drives of the ego? And what, or who could be driving this powerful force of seduction? Consume This Movie takes a critical look at social injustice, peak oil, resource depletion and our deep need to feel connected to each other through what we choose to consume. This 80 minute documentary also examines the frenzied pace of fast-lane materialism that is beggining to burn us out. We Americans are just now beginning to yearn for a simpler life, but is it too late? Have we set in motion a runaway train that threatens to undermine the ecological, social and spiritual cornerstones that make the pursuit of happiness possible in the first place? Walk, don't drive to see this powerful documentary film, while supplies last!

Woven into this exploration are interviews with Dr. Peter Whybrow, American Mania, Juliet B. Schor, The Overspent American, simplicity guru’s Cecile Andrews and Duane Elgin, photographic artist Chris Jordan, advertising expert James. B. Twitchell and Post Carbon Institutes Julian Darley among others.

Potluck

Bring something (preferably vegetarian) to contribute to the potluck - bring enough food for yourself/family and a bit to share. The primary focus of the ‘Locavore’ potluck is to promote eating whole foods, in their nature-made state, focusing on fresh food from local sources (or as local as possible)

If not FROM BACKYARD then locally produced.
If not LOCALLY PRODUCED, then Organic.
If not ORGANIC, then Family farm.
If not FAMILY FARM, then Local business.
If not a LOCAL BUSINESS, then Fair Trade.

Freedom Garden Swap N Meet

Join local homegrown revolutionaries - swap crops, seeds, expertise and more.

Growing for 21st century food security, FreedomGardens.org is a free interactive, online social community of gardening enthusiasts who are fed up with foreign oil, frequent food miles and high food prices.

To reserve space for this event fill out this easy regisration form or contact 626.844.4586

deadCenter Film Festival
Oklahoma City, OK
Sat, Jun 13, 01:00PM
Kerr Auditorium

Indianapolis International Film Festival
July 15-25
Exact Screening date TBD

Woods Hole Film Festival
Woods Hole, Maine
July 25-August 1
Exact Screening date TBD

Rhode Island International Film Festival
August 4-9
Exact Screening date TBD

HomeGrown The Film by Robert Mcfalls

HOMEGROWN follows the Dervaes family who run a small organic farm in the heart of urban Pasadena, California. While "living off the grid", they harvest over 6,000 pounds of produce on less than a quarter of an acre, make their own bio diesel, power their computers with the help of solar panels, and maintain a website that gets 4,000 hits a day. The film is an intimate human portrait of what it's like to live like "Little House on the Prairie" in the 21st Century.

Director's Statement

Many people are becoming aware of the environment. We may have gone to see "An Inconvenient Truth", changed our light bulbs, or started to recycle more. But how many of us are really walking the walk? I know I'm not.

When I heard about the Dervaes family, I sensed that there was a human story behind the headlines about global warming or buying organic produce. I wanted to find out what it takes to live the life of an environmental pioneer. I don't wish to simply glorify or romanticize their way of life, however. I want to show that along with the positive benefits there are also sacrifices. Truly living by your ideals can have costs. I believe that recognizing the hardships the Dervaes have faced makes their work all the more inspiring.

HOMEGROWN is ultimately a family story. It's about what lead them to where they are today, what changed them and what keeps them together. Perhaps by learning of their journey to a sustainable life style, we might be inspired to take our own first steps.

-- Robert McFalls

Homegrown Revolution Screening in Encinitas with Dervaes family as special guests

(and if you read further on we are trying to wrangle a OC/San Diego FG Gathering while we are at it!)

Event Details

VIP PARTY

WHEN: Friday June 5 7:30-9:30pm
WHERE: Lemongrass Salon 910 2nd Street

Come celebrate the Second Annual Cottonwood Creek Environmental Film Festival with filmmakers, the Encinitas Environmental Commission, the Encinitas City Council and your local community members. Friday night, Lemongrass will be hosting festival attendees in their Wildlife Habitat Certified back yard and CCEFF will be serving Orfila Vineyard Wines Courtesy of Edible San Diego and Stone Brewing Company Beer. The party will feature live cooking demos by Chef Bridget Bueche, from Sub Zero and Wolf and local organic produce. Dance to a live DJ and enjoy conversation and celebration with your local community members at this zero waste event. There are a limited amount of tickets available for festival attendees.

COST: Each VIP ticket is $40 and includes entrance to all films for the entire weekend. Get them while they are still available.

FILM SCREENING

WHEN: Saturday June 6 (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
WHERE: Encinitas Library Community Room
540 Cornish Drive, between "D" and "E" streets
COST:  Tickets available
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL (June 5-7)

The Cottonwood Creek Environmental Film Festival is organized annually by the Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association (DEMA). CCEFF presents the public with the highest quality of environmental film from a range of different categories. Located in beautiful Encinitas California CCEFF was conceived in honor of our love and dedication to the natural surroundings in Encinitas. Encinitas is a coastal town that sits on top of the Pacific Ocean, boasting world class surf, amazing seascapes, a nationally renowned artists community, and a historic and walkable downtown community. CCEFF was conceived to bring awareness to the community and the world regarding environmental issues and solutions to current and foreseen environmental issues

Visit the website for list of films and screening times

FILM INFORMATION

Homegrown Revolution (15 MIN)  is a short informational introduction to a homegrown project that has been called a new revolution in urban sustainability. In the midst of a densely urban setting in downtown Pasadena, radical change is taking root. For over twenty years, the Dervaes family have transformed their home into an urban homestead and a model for sustainable agriculture and urban living.

Calling this project, “Path to Freedom,” the Dervaes Family shows that change is possible. As a family for this new paradigm, they harvest 3 tons of organic food annually from their 1/10 acre garden while incorporating many back-to-basics practices, as well as solar energy and biodiesel in order to reduce their footprint on the earth’s resources. Environmentalism and the health of our planet is a theme that weaves through the film. This film is a mere 15 minutes but is packed with the history and the successful outcome of this new urban sustainability movement. It is meant to inspire and encourage others - young and old - to take a look at what they have and realize that change can begin with a single step and can be created right in our own backyards.

VIEW THE TRAILER or PURCHASE DVD

FREEDOM GARDEN GATHERING - GROW YOUR OWN GROCERIES!

OK here's the deal OC/San Diego since we are going to around all day, we are trying to put together a FG gathering on Saturday. Any help organizing this would be great!

Join the Dervaes Family and OC/San Diego Freedom Gardeners for a homegrown brunch swap n meet!

WHEN: Saturday, June 6

WHERE: COTTON WOOD CREEK PARK 95 N Vulcan, Encinitas, CA 92024 (see map)
TIME: 9 AM - 1 PM
COST: Event is FREE

Bring local (preferably vegetarian) food to share. Swap yer crops, seeds and homegrown/homemade goodies!

Spread the word!

What: Film Screening of ARE WE RUNNING DRY & Local, Vegetarian Potluck

When: Sunday, May 24 (5:30 PM - 9:00 PM)

Where: 626 Cypress Ave, Pasadena CA (see map)

Cost: $10 (children under 12 are free) A small entrance fee is require as it helps pay for facility rental, dvd screening fee, sound system, and purchase of eco friendly, compostable dinnerware

Space is limited so please RSVP by calling 626.844.4586 or filling out online reservation form

Event Schedule

5:30 PM - event starts / Freedom Gardens Swap N Meet

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - local food potluck

7:00 PM - clay pot irrigation demo followed by film screening ARE WE RUNNING DRY (80 minutes)

8:30 PM - discussion / pop quiz and win prizes!

9:00 PM - event ends

Film Details

“As in the rest of the world, significant water problems exist in the Southwestern states because of severe drought, urban development, agricultural uses and population growth. The overwhelming need to solve these issues in the United States and the world is crucial through education and planning. The severity of the American water crisis cannot be underestimated.”

Jane Seymour, Narrator, “Running Dry”

Nearly every state in the American Southwest is affected by a water crisis and is struggling with record dry conditions. On the heels of the American Southwest’s drought, and in an effort to raise awareness, The Chronicles Group with support from grants from the California Water Association, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Southern Nevada Water Authority and other public and private entities, Vegas PBS will present “The American Southwest: Are We Running Dry?” directed, written, and produced by Jim Thebaut, president of The Chronicles Group, a Los Angeles based non-profit public information/education film production company

Featuring narration from Emmy® Award-winning actress Jane Seymour, “The American Southwest:  Are We Running Dry?” is a definitive look at how the water crisis affects the American Southwest states and its escalating economic toll.
Potluck

Bring something (preferably vegetarian) to contribute to the potluck - bring enough food for yourself/family and a bit to share. The primary focus of the ‘Locavore’ potluck is to promote eating whole foods, in their nature-made state, focusing on fresh food from local sources (or as local as possible)

If not FROM BACKYARD then locally produced.
If not LOCALLY PRODUCED, then Organic.
If not ORGANIC, then Family farm.
If not FAMILY FARM, then Local business.
If not a LOCAL BUSINESS, then Fair Trade.

Freedom Garden Swap N Meet

Join local homegrown revolutionaries - swap crops, seeds, expertise and more.

Growing for 21st century food security, FreedomGardens.org is a free interactive, online social community of gardening enthusiasts who are fed up with foreign oil, frequent food miles and high food prices.

To reserve space for this event fill out this easy regisration form or contact 626.844.4586

What: Film Screening of FOOD MATTERS & Local, Vegetarian Potluck

When: Sunday, April 26 (5:30 PM - 9:00 PM)

Where: 626 Cypress Ave, Pasadena CA (see map)

Cost: $10 (children under 12 are free) A small entrance fee is require as it helps pay for facility rental, sound system, and purchase of eco friendly, compostable dinnerware

Space is limited so please RSVP by calling 626.844.4586 or filling out online reservation form

Event Schedule

5:30 PM - event starts / Freedom Gardens Swap N Meet

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - local food potluck

7:00 PM - film screening FOOD MATTERS (80 minutes)

8:30 PM - discussion / pop quiz and win prizes!

9:00 PM - event ends

Film

"Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine, And Thy Medicine Be Thy Food." - Hippocrates

"Food Matters is a must see for those looking to take control of their health."
- John Gray, PhD, NY Times Best Selling Author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus

"Outstanding"
- John Robbins, author of Diet for A New America

"Anyone who is serious about their health needs to see this stunning film."
- Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Mother-Daughter Wisdom, The Wisdom of Menopause and Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom

"Thought provoking, informative, and compelling, this film matters."
- Rory Freedman, Coauthor of #1 NY Times Best Seller Skinny Bitch

Food Matters' is a hard hitting, fast paced look at our current state of health. Despite the billions of dollars of funding and research into new so-called cures we continue to suffer from a raft of chronic ills and every day maladies. Patching up an over-toxic and over-indulgent population with a host of toxic therapies and nutrient sparse foods is definitely not helping the situation.

‘Food Matters' seeks to uncover the business of disease and at the same time explore the safe, cheap and effective use of nutrition and supplementation for preventing and often reversing the underlying causative aspects of the illness. With the premise of the film being: access to solid information helps people invariably make better choices for their health.

The ‘Food Matters' duo have independently funded the film from start to finish in order to remain as unbiased as possible, delivering a clear and concise message to the world.

Potluck

Bring something (preferably vegetarian) to contribute to the potluck - bring enough food for yourself/family and a bit to share. The primary focus of the ‘Locavore’ potluck is to promote eating whole foods, in their nature-made state, focusing on fresh food from local sources (or as local as possible)

If not FROM BACKYARD then locally produced.
If not LOCALLY PRODUCED, then Organic.
If not ORGANIC, then Family farm.
If not FAMILY FARM, then Local business.
If not a LOCAL BUSINESS, then Fair Trade.

Freedom Garden Swap N Meet

Join local homegrown revolutionaries - swap crops, seeds, expertise and more.

Growing for 21st century food security, FreedomGardens.org is a free interactive, online social community of gardening enthusiasts who are fed up with foreign oil, frequent food miles and high food prices.

To reserve space for this event fill out this easy regisration form or contact 626.844.4586

What: Film Screening of EATING ALASKA & Local, Vegetarian Potluck

When: Sunday, March 29 (5:30 PM - 9:00 PM)

Where: 626 Cypress Ave, Pasadena CA (see map)

Cost: $10  (children under 12 are free)  A small entrance fee is require as it helps pay for facility rental, screening licensing fees, sound system, and purchase of eco friendly, compostable dinnerware

Space is limited so please RSVP by calling 626.844.4586 or filling out online reservation form

Event Schedule

5:30 PM - event starts / Freedom Gardens Swap N Meet

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM - local food potluck

7:30 PM - film screening EATING ALASKA (57 minutes)

8:30 PM - discussion / pop quiz and win prizes!

9:00 PM - event ends

Film

A wry journey for the "right thing" to eat

"Eating Alaska makes us ruminate, laugh and stand in awe, all at the same time."
-Gary Nabhan, Author, Coming Home to Eat and Where Our Food Comes From

"Eating Alaska asks all the right questions and urges us to find our own answers. The film is a very useful and heartful tool for talking about food justice and food systems and to help all of us to create a new story about food." 
- Peter Forbes, Co-Founder  Center for Whole Communities

What happens to a vegetarian who moves to the last frontier?

Eating Alaska is a serious and humorous film about connecting to where you live and eating locally. It is about trying to break away from the industrial food system when that means not only buying fresh seasonal food from local farmers, but taking part in a world of hunting and gathering. Made by a former city dweller now living on an island in Alaska and married to fisherman and deer hunter, it is a journey into regional food traditions, our connection to the wilderness and to what we put into our mouths.

The film portrays a wry quest for safe, healthy, meaningful, and sustainable food that leads to climbing mountains with women hunters, scrutinizing food labels with kids, talking moose meat with teens in a small village public school, and exploring how others in the last frontier, Alaska Natives and non-Natives, are eating.

Eating Alaska takes viewers from a lower 48 farmer's market to the tundra to look for caribou, from fishing for wild salmon to visiting a vegan cooking class in Wasilla. Along the way we will visit with people who are grappling with what is on their plates and trying to balance living off the land with the convenience and speed of reaching for what's on the shelf at the supermarket. This is a story about connecting to where we live, urban or far from it, and coming to terms with what we eat and how we come by it.

{Please be advised this film does show the human impact of hunting and consumption of meat. However it is sensibly depicted without graphic images.}

Potluck

Bring something (preferably vegetarian) to contribute to the potluck - bring enough food for yourself/family and a bit to share. The primary focus of the ‘Locavore’ potluck is to promote eating whole foods, in their nature-made state, focusing on fresh food from local sources (or as local as possible)

If not FROM BACKYARD then locally produced.
If not LOCALLY PRODUCED, then Organic.
If not ORGANIC, then Family farm.
If not FAMILY FARM, then Local business.
If not a LOCAL BUSINESS, then Fair Trade.

Freedom Garden Swap N Meet

Join local homegrown revolutionaries - swap crops, seeds, expertise and more.

Growing for 21st century food security, FreedomGardens.org is a free interactive, online social community of gardening enthusiasts who are fed up with foreign oil, frequent food miles and high food prices.

To reserve space for this event fill out this easy regisration form or contact 626.844.4586

Thanks to a generous donation (thank you DT!)  we have been able to purchase 2 boxes of LOCAL and ORGANIC apples for the upcoming screening (award winning documentary BROKEN LIMBS) and potluck on December 28th (spaces are still available so RSVP)

Due to the weather the ENTIRE event (potluck & screening) will be held INDOORS. So no need to worry about freezing your limbs off.

Should be fun!  Spread the word, bring family and friends and let's grow community.

FULL EVENT DETAILS HERE

Harvest table

Look at that long line! Folks up and grabbing some delicious food

Local organizations table with information

The potluck

Freedom Gardens table. Haven't signed up then what are you waiting for?  You are missing a great group of local foodies who are modern day version of "victory gardeners'

A good showing of local Freedom Gardeners fill up two long tables who brought experiences and goodies from their garden to swap.  Thanks SG for the 30lbs of tomatoes and ML for the wonderful homemade jam!

Enjoying good food and fellowship

Film screening

Pop quiz time!

PTF hosted another successful film & food night.  In fact, some folks said it was the BEST one yet and we got nothing but positive comments.  We had a couple folks who drove over an hour to attend!  That's incredible and very heartening because you know that such an event is worth putting on because it really means so much.

Over 100 people were in attendance for the harvest potluck and film screening of Shall We Gather at the River.    While Jay & Molly's Harvest Home CD was playing folks enjoyed a very festive (candlelight) potluck dinner.  And boy where there some amazing dishes!  Thank you all who brought something to contribute to the potluck - you outdid yourself on some of those dishes!

The Freedom Garden table (or tables I should say) were filled with items people brought to swap (peppers, tomatoes, acorn flour, jam and more!). Even better, FGers got to meet each other face to face getting a chance to meet their screen name "friends" and share growing experiences.

Now that it's winter and nights are chilly, the film screening was held indoors in a very warm and cozy room of the school.  Afterwards Farmer D held one of his popular "pop quizzes" where 10 lucky folks won prizes for their right answers.  Congrats!

A huge thank you to our volunteer staff,who, without their help we couldn't have pulled off such a successful event.   Thank you volunteers, you are the best.

What we like to see at these events are repeat attendees!  And last night's were vibes were amazing - everyone was just connecting with those who sat across the table with them.    One young gentlemen informed us that at last month's film & food night he met someone who now is his best friend.  The stories that people tells us that come from such events are just wonderful.

The community sharing and connection that goes on during these events are just amazing.  Thank you once again to those who attended - your donations are greatly appreciated and help us continue such positive outreach.

PTF outreach is all about growing community!

Grow Change, Grow Community

Like to have something like this in your community?  Don't be afraid to start one where you are.  Gather friends and family and start the ripple effect by dropping the pebble where you are.  You never know, you may be hosting similar events on a monthly basis in your neighborhood.

We started hosting small events in the backyard of the urban homestead and now it's grown that we have to rent the facility next door because we can no longer accomodate everyone.