Looking back on our goals from last year Justin (Jethro) got his fish project underway,  the grey water project too.

Jordanne (Ellie Mae) revamped our two social networks, Freedom Gardens and launched Backyards & Barnyards and did get around to organizing a lot of mess.  Not to forget the launced her super amazing Natural Poultry Supplement Mix which is receiving rave reviews!

As for me (Granny),  the mountain of fabric and yarn still looms like a huge shadow but the craft-music room is coming along nicely.  Not sure if I am talking less and listening more – guess I’ll have to ask my family & friends that.

The 7K bonanza harvest wasn't the only highlight from 2010

We went back to Wild & Scenic located in the quaint mountain town of Nevada City and had a chance to meet our favorite author, John Robbins.  Had a workshop at the Eco Farm conference in lovely grounds Asilomar (didn't get to spend as much time on the beach as we'd like since it was soooo cold and rainy!).   Not to mention numerous articles and video pieces which all were featured here on the blog – our favorite being the recent So Cal Connect piece , I am Los Angeles , Private Chefs of Beverly Hills,  Sis and I were "Cover Girls" & with an article featured in this online magazine and I wrote about my home school experience for another

Our home made film "Homegrown Revolution" won  many awards including : Best Environment & Ecology Film North America - Swansea International Film Festival, U.K.; Prize of the Mayor of the Capitol City of Slovakia - Ekotop Film Festival of Sustainable Development, Slovakia; Best Short Documentary - Southern Appalachian International Film Festival, Tennessee; Honorable Mention: Westpac Award Best Short Film - Reel Earth Environmental Film Festival, New Zealand.  (You can purchase a DVD copy)

We traveled to back to the homestead in New Zealand where I was born (more pics and tales to come) and with our biggest turn out ever to a presentation on urban homesteading!

After the New Zealand trip: Other outreach opportunities included four university appearances by "Farmer D" and a presentation for a public school district's student gardens fundraiser.

On the urban  homestead

Keeping it real.  As with any journey, we had our ups and downs.

Passing of dear old Clementine (the poster chicken & darling of the UH movement) and our duck Amy after freak accident which never fully recovered from.

The cycle of life continued, Though there were sad deaths there was new life with four additions to our flock.  Our southern belles  - Annalee, Lulu Belle, Beulah and Opal.

Pushing the envelope in urban sustainability we added new projects:  hops for beer and 50 tilapia for aquaponics fish farming and wrote about the challenges that we face of growing food in the city.

Wrote about necessary Urban Homestead apparel and "Natural Beauty, "  "Homesteader Hygiene", & Living Without AC,  Washing Clothes by Hand & threw an amazing  "Girlie" Tea Party under $50!

Long time customer, Elements, who featured our many of our homegrown items on his menu unceremoniously dumped us (having money issues)   When one door closed, it opened up our produce to the public with the launch of the Front Porch Farm Stand featuring local foods and goods.

Weather continued to be a problem with a record heat wave in October & record rainfall in December

Though we had one of our best honey harvest in years, Varroa Mites (and early cold weather) wiped out all of our of beehives except one.

I dropped the ball on the Weekly Meal wrap ups (sorry readers) posts but I picked up guitar which I am enjoying relearning – well, except for the sore finger tips.   Ouch!

There you have it!  Some of the highlights of 2010,  I know I just touched the tip of the ice berg otherwise I’d be here all day.

So what our plans/goals for 2011?   That’s certainly a good question and a lot to digest ….  we do know are going to have sadly terminate some projects because of the lack of support.   It’s a bitter pill to swallow put sometimes you got to cut things that are weighing you down.  I’m talking to myself here… have to keep saying that!

Also like to thank all of you readers who have supported us via donations or purchases from our online store.    Not to mention all the wonderful letters, cards and emails.   THANK YOU!

While I try to shake off a awful case writers block, if you are new or a lurker to this blog, this is a good time to swap howdies or better yet TELL US what your FAVORITE post(s) of 2010 were!

So pull up a chair and give us a holler ya hear and hope 2011 is off to a good start for you!

I would say over 50 "familiar" looking folks came by to swap howdies, of course ask about Amy and inquire about our new projects that are happening on the urban homestead like grey water, fish farming and making our own fertilizer out of a common, stinging weed.

"Homegrown" goodies from the urban homestead. Like the "homegrown" sign? You can purchase it here at our online store

We had TWO tables full of information, pics, displays!  Check out the homegrown tromboncino squash - seeds are sold at Freedom Seeds.org

Actually we had people coming over an complimenting our how pretty our tables were!

Enjoying a laugh with a friend

Crowding around. Our table was hopping thru out the day

By the end of the day we all were suffering from "hoarse throats" as we were constantly talking and answering everyone's questions.

We warm up lunch using our sun oven (purchase your own via our online store)

Justin shows off his hauling bike

I scored a FREE shawl at the "Free Market" table.

There's more! For more photos of the festival visit our Facebook Photo Album

Afterwards we invited volunteers and friends over for some fellowship, munchies and even a little guitar music!

Conversations and chickens.  One our our friends brought her chicken, "Peeps," to sat "howdy"

Freedom Gardener for a Day! Pasadena's Mayor Bill Bogaard stops by our table at one of the many community events that we participated in.

Well, that about wrap things up for now! Hope you enjoyed the mini posting blitz today.

With folks focusing on earthy things this month, next week things should die down on the media front!  One reader commented that it seems like we've had a media person here almost every week.  Sure seems like it but we can't oblige them all, we've even had to turned down a couple requests.

Hopefully we'll see many of you down tomorrow as we share our journey with the community at Pasadena's Greening the Earth Day festival at the beautiful Memorial Park.  Looks like it's going to be a lovely day - so come out and enjoy the spring weather & sunshine!

Please stop by and swap howdies!

Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Memorial Park, Pasadena Address: 85 E. Holly St, Pasadena, CA 91103

Cost: FREE

Event Details: Path to Freedom -Urban Homestead and Freedom Gardens will be exhibiting.

Come by and check out the Urban Homesteading table

Let us help & inspire you on a more sustainable, self reliant journey.

The posting blitz is over!

• Started off with a really neat Nightline story which challenges us DO WE HAVE A 'PLAN B'
• Fairlight modeling the new PTF caps
• Going herbal on the homestead with flower vinegar
• An update on Amy - thank you all those who  have written us with words of encouragement and cared enough to comment!  What a blessing ya'll have been.

:: Field Hand Appreciation :: BR $25 donation.  Thank you so much for your support! With all the outreach happening this month the financial support helps us tremendously.

WHAT: Screening of FOOD INC Local Food Potluck, Produce & Seed Swap
WHEN: Sunday April 18 (6  PM - 10 PM)
WHERE: 626 Cypress Ave, Pasadena CA  91103
COST: $10.00

RSVP  - click here  (note we went back to our simple rsvp format)

You asked for an event; however,  if we do not get enough folks attending this event we will have to CANCEL this one and reconsider hosting ANY other Film & Food Nights in the future

Even if you have seen this film before - consider this event an opportunity to support any future events.  Spread the word, invite friends and family.

The success of this event is up to you!

Monterey Bay/Asilomar, EcoFarm Conference Jan 20-23

Before the conference started, we needed a place to stay for night or two before we were given our designated rooms on the conference grounds and were blessed with a place to stay beachside. (A big thanks to the Bakke family who made this possible.)  There we rendezvoused with friend and farmer, Sergio, who stayed the night with us and who also was there to attend the conference for the first time.

We did get a chance in between raindrops to take a small walk along the beach which was nice.

The 2003 EcoFarm Conference is where Farmer D gave his very first urban homesteading presentation.  Seven years later, we were back - to cover all that has happened here on the homestead.  The topic was perfect: "Big Rewards from Small Spaces."

Unfortunately, the rain just wouldn't let up - just went where there was a break, another deluge would drench the conference grounds.  Wave after wave of rain pelted the coast from the huge storm that covered the whole state of California.

So we couldn't really enjoy walks on the beach (bummer) but instead spent most of our time indoors - talking with people at our booth in the Exhibit Hall, checking out a few talks, attending plenary sessions with Wes Jackson, Eliot Coleman and Frances Moore Lappé,  taking part in the ever-fun seed swap (where we loaded up on more seeds) and hanging out in the dinning hall listening to some wonderful conversations about farm life.

At the farm conference, we met Chris of Chauffin Family Farm, who saw the film in Nevada City and invited us to visit their farm (will take a rain check on that, thank you!).  Thanks, Chris, for the wonderful and engaging conversation - not to mention the jar of olive oil from your farm.  You'll definitely be hearing more from us!

Also, Frances Moore Lappé signed a copy of Diet for a Small Planet for us. On the shelf here on the urban homestead, we have an old and tattered copy from the 1970s, so now we have a new, autographed copy (sweet!). We brought greetings from John Robbins, who is long-time friends with Frances Moore Lappé. She and her daughter, Anna, also work together - yet another example of passing a legacy to the next generation.

Saturday morning was time for Farmer D's Urban Homesteading presentation, which drew about 200 people to Merrill Hall, the main conference venue. (We didn't check the Chapel so don't know how many were there listening in to the live feed.)  The presentation must have been a popular one because when we got to the desk to pick up a CD of the talk, the stack was all gone!

Farmer D opened the presentation with a screening of the ever-popular Homgrown Revolution. We don't know quite what it is about this simple film-that-wasn't-supposed-to-be-a-film.  One of the EcoFarm vendors told us that her husband was in tears at the end of the film - it touches something deep down in people.

Farmer D then talked about what we had learned over the 20+ year urban homesteading experiment, especially when it came to front yard edible gardening (very timely with the bad PR some of these projects are getting - I'll touch on that in a later post).  Lots of people were taking detailed notes. He emphasized that

"Change happens slowly, but you must start now-small can be beautiful and productive"

Perhaps in our spare time (huh) we can have our friend Dan put up the entire talk on YouTube....lots to do!

On the last day of the conference, the sun finally came out - but, alas, it was time for us to go.  We all headed down to the beach after lunch for quick walk - the air, ocean and sunshine were mesmerizing.

We all were extremely tired - don't know why (actually,  in my case I think it's because of the sheets - yep, sleeping on bleached sheets something we aint used to here the urban homestead) and it's hard to be on the road moving from place to place.

Not to mention the worry of how things were at the urban homestead and Sergio's farm with one of the biggest storms we've had in years.  Thoughts of the long drive home brought us back to reality, and we said goodbye to the sand and surf.

With such a land based lifestyle, even when on the road, there's never really time off - your mind wanders back to the farm/homestead as you wonder what's going on and the projects that await your arrival.   We, and even farmer Sergio, were on the phone calling home - wondering the same thing: "How are things there - animals, garden OK?"

At the closing plenary session there was, shall I say, an "interesting" exchange with Elliot Coleman and Gary Hirshberg (of Stoneyfield) Definitely raised some interesting questions though we saw both sides seemed we sided more with Coleman.

Did leave us with a lot to think about - the future of food and organic agriculture.

Now for some photos!

Ahhh, the majestic ocean

Jordanne, me and Sergio enjoy a walk in the beach

Pelicans

Justin and Sergio wonder if they should bring some of the kelp home for their gardens

Enjoying the sand, surf and blue skies

Boardwalk

Welcome!

No better place to have a conference in the world than Asilomar!

Jordanne, Justin and Sergio checking out the tables of information

Justin and Sergio intently listen to a lecture about beneficial plants and insects.

Three farmer's hang out - Sergio, Chris & justin

Meeting up once again with Frances Moore Lappe

Jordanne & Sergio listen in on a talk in the lovely Chapel

Eating together

Hanging together

And now for the most anticipated event of the conference - seed exchange

Justin, Sergio and Jordanne check out tables full of all sorts of seeds

Justin and I fill up envelopes

Nothing makes a farmer happier more than seeds.... well, perhaps rain and a bumper harvest.

Man hands! Pen and little envelopes in hand, Justin fills up on seeds

Farmer D gives his presentation

THE GREATER RIVERSIDE CONFERENCE OF SENIORS GIVING THE GIFT OF GREEN TO OUR GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT GRANDCHILDREN

THE CRISIS: Scientists have determined that civilization is not sustainable if carbon dioxide remains above 350 parts per million. It’s now at 387 ppm and rising. If unchecked and un-reversed, today’s younger generations face a catastrophic global ecological meltdown in their lifetime .

WHAT YOU CAN DO: By going green you can annually remove 4.5 tons of carbon from the atmosphere.

SPECIAL GUEST: The Urban Homesteaders of Pasadena, CA will have a table about urban homesteading and encouraging all local FREEDOM GARDENERS to come, gather and swap!!

FILMS: Join the Dervaes family at 12 noon, 1:00, and 2:00 for showings of their short film HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION followed by a Q & A session with Jules Dervaes

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

This Saturday at Cottonwood Creek Park in Encinitas CA on Saturday from  9 am - 1 pm  a homegrown get-together!

Also at 2 pm the short film HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION will be screened at the Encinitas Public Library.

Full event details

I greet some of our young LHITC fans.

May's shaping up to be another busy month we'll be in Ojai one week and OC (Orange County the next)   Hope to see some of you there

Here's our out & about schedule

MAY 16-17 New World Fair, Pasadena Convention Center (Homegrown Revolution film showing on Saturday at 5:30 PM) We'll have a booth so come down and check it/us out  (DOWNLOAD $2.00 Coupon off admittance)

MAY 19 - Food For Thought hosts screening of Robert McFalls documentary HOMEGROWN ( 7 pm - 9 pm ) Matilija High School Auditorium in Ojai CA    Dervaes family will be there as special guests.  ADMISSION IS FREE

MAY 24 - PTF hosts another FILM & FOOD NIGHT (Movie: Are We Running Dry) Event will include clay pot irrigation demo, seed, crop swap and more!

MAY 26 (7:30 PM)  CA Rare Fruit Growers Orange County Jules Dervaes gives a presentation on growing food in the city (Open to the public and FREE)

MAY 28 - PTF's organization (supporters, staff and volunteers) are invited to private screening of FOOD INC

Spread the word!

As for June....

We'll be back to OC again -  stay tuned for details!

Last week we enjoyed the garden's blessings of bountiful produce along with other locally grown treats that were gotten in a swap with a local Freedom Farmer

Also there's one day that we enjoyed breakfast for dinner.  It was one of those busy days - garden, hive and other work and one needing something filling and quick. Besides who can pass up a chance to enjoy piping hot pancakes topped with homegrown strawberries and your very own backyard honey.... yummy!

SATURDAY

Breakfast - homemade pancakes (backyard eggs) topped with homegrown honey and strawberries
Dinner -homemade flour tortillas, homemade spanish rice with organic black beans and cheese

SUNDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola, organic yogurt with homegrown stawberries
Lunch - skipped
Dinner -homemade kimchi (locally grown cabbage gotten in a FF barter, homegrown daikons, carrots and green onions) on crackers with cream cheese, homegrown salad with homegrown radishes and homegrown strawberries

MONDAY

Breakfast - homemade, homegrown loquat crumble
Lunch - homegrown tromboncino squash with organic ca grown rice with homegrown broccoli and homemade cheese, herb sauce
Dinner - homemade curd cheese, chive spread, homegrown radish sandwich with homegrown salad, radishes and strawberries

TUESDAY

Breakfast - homemade, homegrown loquat crumble
Lunch - homegrown potatoes, homegrown broccoli, with homegrown herbs, locally grown meyer lemon (from a friend) butter with homegrown salad
Dinner - homegrown carrot salad (homegrown honey, locally grown citrus from FF barter) raisins,  backyard egg salad sandwich with homegrown chives and radishes

WEDNESDAY

Breakfast - homemade, homegrown loquat cobbler
Dinner - locally grown cabbage (FF barter) homegrown carrots, potatoes and broccoli with organic ca grown rice
Lunch - homemade pancakes (backyard eggs) topped with homegrown honey and strawberries

THURSDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - homegrown peas and pasta (local lemons from a friend, homegrown herb butter sauce) with homegrown salad
Dinner - homemade pizza topped with homegrown, marinated peppers, organic cheese and homegrown salad

FRIDAY

Breakfast - homemade skillet granola
Lunch - homegrown broccoli and pasta with cheese sauce and homegrown salad with homegrown radishes
Dinner -french bread, spaghetti with homegrown salad