[the] Dervaes Gardens sits practically on top of a Pasadena, California, freeway and is only blocks away from the famous Rose Bowl. Outside are all the trappings of twenty-first-century life: automobiles, satellite dishes, supermarkets, car washes, and stores…
Funny thing has happened here on the urban homestead! With the recent shacking up of two scrub jays to raised their brood in one of the pineapple guava trees the mocking bird, who last year stole many a flower (potential fruit), is no where to be seen.
Giving her warm baths during the egg binding crisis
We’ve dealt with our fair share of problems & pain – having more animal increases the chance of one running into some illness, injury and even death. That’s a farm life – nature gives and nature takes away.
Dawn had a leg injury awhile back – with a [...]
Amy enjoying the new fish pond
It’s been a rough week. Just as soon as we saw such a dramatic improvement in Amy (which made us so happy) there arose some complications – laying. Good news, bad news sort of whiplash. Good news she was looking and doing so much better but it’s been ages [...]
Whoosh. That’s the sound of time flying by!
Where does the time go? One week, turns into two and I am already behind in putting up our weekly meals. Father time is going to need to slow down a bit.
Given that we are smack dab in the middle of winter and enjoying fresh [...]
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
The Year of the Urban Homestead
My sis and I were talking about “the good ol’ days.” And one thing she brought up that I had forgotten was how we were constantly asked, [...]
After Greece and Israel, the next stop for us and our short homemade film (HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION) was another environmental film festival in Torino (Turin) Italy (Italy’s first capital city and home of disputed “shroud of turin,”not to mention a chocolate hub and being of French and Belgian decent this was our type of town!
We rarely [...]
Justin is the earliest riser of us siblings. He’s got a lot of energy and wants to get out in the garden first thing in the morn. Yep, he’s a born farmer – got dirt in his veins.
While we gals are still rubbing the sleepiness from our eyes, Justin’s out checking if all’s well in [...]
Sweater on, sweater off, sweater on, sweater off. No, it’s not me that can’t make up her mind. It’s good ol Mother Nature who’s having trouble figuring out if summer’s over and time for fall.
For a couple of days it’s in the triple digits, then we drop like 30 degrees and by the end of [...]
On Monday, we walked the upper Arroyo Seco to see what the fire had done to of one our favorite (and loveliest) hiking trails (Gould/Paul Little/ Oakwilde/Switzer) in the San Gabriel Mountains. We went as far as Gould Campground (which was still surprisingly remained unscathed though fire came right down to the perimeter)
Read more about how [...]
In Episode 16 we talk with Jules Dervaes of the Path to Freedom . Our discussion ranged from how Monsanto has gained control of Mother Natures seeds and have exploited them for profit, to discussions on self-sustainability and what Jules is doing in his own life to be self-dependent.
Listen to the podcast – 1 hr [...]
Many of us are aware that the smallest creatures are the ones that are the front lines of a changing climate and we especially know how important pollinators are for the health and future survival of the people and the planet.
Last week the acclaimed filmmaker, Louie Schwartzberg and his crew visited the urban homestead to take some [...]
A Homegrown Revolution Roots In Pasadena (PASADENA NOW)
By TRICIA AREND
Published: Monday, July 13, 2009 | 5:36 PM
Gardener and urban homesteader Jules Dervaes is growing a revolution in his Pasadena home. Dervaes’ little urban garden plot that could has led him to found the Path To Freedom and Little Homestead in the City, a sustainable resource [...]
Via THE FILM YAP.com
“HomeGrown” is a documentary about a family running an urban organic farm that holds a twofold fascination: The amazing process by which the Dervaes clan reaps such a bountiful harvest from a miniscule piece of land, and the way living in tune with nature binds them together as a family.
Jules is the [...]
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 [...]
With the excessively gloomish June we are having to be very diligent on the mildew/blight front. We’ve spotted a few problematic areas and are hoping to keep things under control.
Temperatures are to spike up into the mid 90’s today will continue at least for another seven days. Talking with friends who are also gardeners they’ve [...]
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 [...]
Even though spring is officially two weeks away, it’s come early here at the urban homestead. Everywhere you turn nature is heralding the change of season with a burst of glorious color. The long winter is over!
Note: a few of these photos were taken by Farmer J who has been inspired to capture the beauty [...]
or sorta… kinda…. never really….
We bounced up and down the temperature gauge this winter leaving gardens and people alike scratching their heads in confusion.
The winter that wasn’t had to do with with a weather phenomenon with a pretty name — La Nina.
California teeters on the edge of the worst drought in the state’s history, officials [...]
Yard work
Winter tomatoes
Farmer J shows off his heads of broccoli
And another beauty
Dining room turned seed business
Justin packing seeds for Sunday
With the prospects of of a dryer than normal season, thanks to La Nina, (our normal is between 14″ & 19″ — see rainfall totals for the past 130 years) it’s not hard to gander that [...]
The goats don’t seem to mind the hot & dry temperature. In fact, they LOVE lounging in the sun during the day in what we like to call their “goat yoga” poises.
Since winter decided to up and dissappear on us, I was commenting to Jordanne the other day, while I was sitting there giving Fairlight [...]
An organic food group emailed Farmer D with a few questions. Thought I’d share Farmer D’s answers with you since they are some great reflections on food security and the green movement.
1. Where do you think the immediate opportunities lie for making progress in localizing the US food system?
For over 20 years, I’ve been gardening [...]
Since we are on the subject of bees….
A Plea for Bees
Bees are dying in droves. Why? Leading apiarist Dennis vanEngelsdorp looks at the gentle, misunderstood creature’s important place in nature and the mystery behind its alarming disappearance.
As bees go missing, a $9.3B crisis lurks
The mysterious disappearance of millions of bees is fueling fears of an [...]
First off, thank you all for the wonderful anniversary wishes. We really appreciate them and we are glad to be on the path with so many kindred spirits.
After I posted the entry I got to thinking “you know that post is sort of incomplete” It just mentioned when our internet activism began and it failed [...]
On Dec 18th, 9 years ago, Path to Freedom emerged on the Internet scene with a campaign to reunite father and son.
The site was influential in spearheading the campaign and featured on MSNBC, CNN, GRANMA and many, many other print media outlets all over the world.
In 2000, after four months of tireless campaigns, petitions (collecting [...]
There’s a full moon out tonight, whoa-oh-oh ooh… or something like that. We are experiencing the brillant glow of a full moon. And last night, while I was admiring the moonshadow’s and checking on the animals before heading off to bed I even saw a shooting star over the chicken coop. Yeah, so big deal? Well, [...]
It’s been an odd couple of days, shall I say why? Can you guess? It’s what’s been the single most talked about subject on this journal the whole year. If you guess “weather” you are correct.
We went from being hot, to overcast and damp to cool and windy in a matter of days. But as [...]
It’s so human nature for folks to be curious. Ever use someone’s bathroom and curious as to what’s in their medicine cabinet?
Well, what we try to over here at Little Homestead in the City is let you take a peek into our lives through musing and photos (lots of photos!) By writing and showing first [...]
Orlando Home & Leisure Magazine, October 2008
A Landscape Good Enough to Eat
Save your money, improve your cooking and help save the planet by transforming your lawn into an edible landscape.
By Cindy Heroux
No, we’re not suggesting you chow down on that boxwood hedge or dine on dracenas, but there’s a growing movement called “urban farming” that [...]
Justin strains the unheated, raw honey
Pouring the honey into canning jars
Liquid gold! Lovely sight, wouldn’t you say?
A few weeks ago the guys went into to the resident honey hive here on the homestead and collected a few frames of honey. After letting the wax filled with golden honey sit in a huge black pot in [...]
The goats go to church! Curious dogs
And curious kids
Blessings
A longtime friend of ours who goes to Church of the Ascension in the quaint town of Sierra Madre invited us and the goats to come to her church on Sunday. Goats at church? Happens that the teenagers were raising funds for Heifer International and were going [...]
“During the war over 20 million Americans planted these gardens, some even called them ‘Freedom Gardens’”
Growing Forward
… “freedom” is earned and cannot be taken for granted. In fact, there are forces (lets call them market forces) trying to gain control of the food market for their profit. If they can control the supply of food [...]
Wacky Vegetables. Meet Mr Eggplant
Just when things couldn’t get any busier – it gets busier and weirder. If this year doesn’t beat all!
The weather is still flip flopping – hot a couple days, then cooler. Leaving us completely flabbergasted and anxious. Instead of the harvest increasing like normal years, it’s pretty much leveled off – [...]
I was aiming at a pleasant, natural way of farming which results in making the work easier instead of harder. “How about not doing this?” “How about not doing that?” — that was my way of thinking.
I ultimately reached the conclusion that there was no need to plow, no need to apply fertilizer, no need [...]
Eco Documentary & Local Food Potluck
By popular demand! Join us for another evening of food, inspiration and community. Space is limited so please reserve.
When: Sunday, September 14
Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Where: 651 N Orange Grove (school adjacent to the urban homestead), Pasadena CA
Cost: $10 (what your donation pays for) Children under 12 are free.
Reservation [...]
Sunday morning, Jules Dervaes of PTF gave a presentation at Burbank First United Methodist titled:
“Nature by God”
Stewardship Roots of PTF / 5 Principles
1. Let bugs be bugs
2. Let good food come from plants
3. Let the earth teem with diversity
4. Let the seasons be
5. Let work be real
Like to thank Reverend Moore and the entire congregation [...]
Thanks to Linda for inviting PTF to speak at the Pasadena Smith & Hawken store. We appreciate her enthusiasm and encouraging support. Also thank you to all the S&H staff there for a warm welcome.
Power Point Highlights
The presentation lasted over an hour. Here’s an overview of what Farmer D had to share about some of [...]
ALL SAINTS EDEN Series, Part 2 of 3
with Path to Freedom family members and EDEN Ministry
Sunday March 25
Time: 10:15 am
Where: All Saints Church, 132 North Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101
Room: Sweetland Hall
Jules Dervaes of Path to Freedom will be giving a talk and power point presentation titled ‘NATURE BY GOD’ and how [...]
