Help Us Help Co-ops!
17 Nov 2008
A story about how Urban Homesteading istance Board has helped buildings at risk of foreclosure to be rehabilitated into affordable cooperatives.
Duration : 0:3:34
Archive for urban homesteading
To live as simply as possible, to live in harmony with nature. All things are possible to a certain extent.
The modern technological world has made its people its subjects; it has made them ignorant and keeps them in ignorance. We are basically ignorant, ignorant of the basics–where does our food come from? Where does our water come from? And importantly, where do our wastes go? We live cut off from ourselves because of this lack-of-touch with the natural things. And our foundation is weakened, and there is no way we can build onto the self in such a state.
So I must go back as far as I can. I must find out where to get water to drink. Can I afford to wait any longer to begin this back-track? Should I gather more accessories and build up a secure foothold first in this world?
What do I need? I need only land and water–so I can live. Why do other people Want more, and why do other people want me to have more. I want less and less. If I am alive and learning, what more? I need to learn how to grow food. How long should I wait to do this?
I am 25 1/2
Jules Dervaes Jr, 1973
Duration : 0:3:56
Homegrown Revolution (2008) is a film short that gives a brief introduction to the Dervaes Family’s urban homestead which they call “Path to Freedom.” On this tiny city lot, a beautiful and productive oasis was created, producing 6,000 lbs of food annually and is a model of urban sustainability.
Film premiers at the WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL (Jan 9-11, 2009)
http://www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org
——About Path to Freedom——
Since the mid 1980s, members of the Dervaes family have steadily worked at transforming their ordinary city lot in Pasadena into a thriving organic micro farm that supplies them with food all year round. These eco-pioneers also run a successful home business providing their surplus produce to local restaurants. Through their adventures in growing and preserving their own food, installing a solar power system, home-brewing biodiesel for fuel, raising backyard farm animals, and learning back-to-basics skills, these modern-day pioneers have revived the old-fashioned spirit of self-reliance and resourcefulness.
Since 2001, their website has inspired hundreds of thousands to take steps towards a sustainable future and has generated a 21st century urban homestead movement.
visit their blog at http://www.urbanhomestead.org/journal
Duration : 0:1:54
Selfist Environmentalism
13 Nov 2008
My own thoughts on how being responsible to myself first, has nearly always ended up being positive for the environment, my body.. my home.. and the planetary environment. Anybody else experience this?
Duration : 0:3:15
Urban Homestead - Solar Outdoor Shower
12 Nov 2008
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
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
- front load washer
- food not lawns
Duration : 0:3:33
Tour of the Urban Permaculture Institute of the Southeast and my expemiments into regenerative human habitats. Comments appreciated.
Duration : 0:9:7
The Urban Homestead California Heartland (PBS)
08 Nov 2008
Jules Dervaes and his three adult children all live and work together on their family farm in Pasadena, CA. They call themselves, eco-pioneers. They say its a homegrown revolution that’s taking place, a way for them to get back to a more natural, organic and better way of life. Their mission? To change the world one urban backyard at a time.
California Heartlands Jennifer Quinonez visits the Dervaes home where at the helm is Jules, a man whose vision wasn’t so clear 23 years ago when he bought the 1917 California bungalow for his family. All he knew was that the cost of keeping of a green, but barely usable front yard, was a waste of money and resources. He began taking action and made a shift in the way he lives in an urban city. By clearing out the grass and planting an edible garden, the change began.
In 1991, Jules discovered a way to profit from his garden. Area teahouses were in need for his edible flowers, and that’s when he realized he could make money out of his hobby. But biggest change in his life happened in 2001. When buying organic food became too expensive and difficult to find, and genetically altered food started hitting the market, Jules took matters into his own hands and began Path to Freedom.
At this little urban homestead in the big city, the family produces 6,000 pounds of organic produce a year. Its amazing that their home is on a 1/5 acre and their garden is only on 1/10 acre! The front yard is 95% edible and the rest of the main planters are in the backyard. Every corner is used to grow food. Jules says he doesn’t need more space; he just needs to be a smarter gardener. He looks to the Japanese and Europeans for guidance, those who for thousands of years have had to grow food in a small space. In his garden, or micro-farm as he prefers, you’ll find more than 350 different vegetables, herbs, fruits, and berries.
In addition to planning crops, the family is truly living an eco friendly lifestyle. They are proud that their energy usage is only 6.5 kilowatt hours a day, and continues to decrease. They make their own biodiesel for their one truck and they also have an outdoor shower for summertime use.
This is now a full-time job for Jules and his three children, who sell their produce to area restaurants. They’ve also expanded into education outreach, started an online store to sell garden & eco-friendly materials and are making it their goal to get people to change their attitude about food. They say, Food is power, the more we grow ourselves, the better.
Footage Courtesy KVIE California Heartland
http://www.californiaheartland.org/this_season/episode_908/path_to_freedom.htm
Duration : 0:4:54
Tour of the Urban Permaculture Institute of the Southeast and my latest experiments/projects. Comments appreciated.
Duration : 0:6:49
Planting Hens and Chicks
06 Nov 2008
Kristin planted a succulent called “hens and chicks” today in walkway. It is the first plant in our perennial garden, and we’re very excited to start getting some plants in the ground to help prevent soil erosion.
The Urban Homesteaders live in the South Wedge in Rochester, New York.
Find out more at www.TheUrbanHomesteaders.com
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Duration : 0:4:29
Tour of my experiments in regenerative human habitats
Duration : 0:9:14
