* URBAN HOMESTEADERS * > path to freedom >
Path
to Freedom is a family of five, we live just a ten minute walk from Old Towne
and famous Colorado Boulevard. Our 1917-built house in which we have lived
for sixteen years sits on a typical small city lot. Five years ago we
started a home based business providing many fine, local restaurants and caterers
with the edible flowers and herbs that we were growing in our yard. Today we
have shifted our efforts to growing our own food year round, and selling the
surplus to restaurants and caterers in the area.
We have attempted to grow as much of our own food as possible in the city. In
our society growing food yourself has become the most radical of acts.
It is truly the only effective protest, one that can--and will--overturn the
corporate powers that be. By the process of directly working in harmony
with nature, we do the one thing most essential to change the world--we change
ourselves. We use a variety of agricultural methods, such as permaculture, bio-intensive
farming, plus our own unique gardening system developed over time
by trial and error. Everything is grown as organically as possible, and no harmful
chemicals or insecticides are used on our garden. We also try to follow
agrarian principles outlined in the Bible and tithe ten percent of our
increase.
Nature in Southern California presents a tough challenge even for the typical lawn
landscape because the average rainfall is just 19" a year.
From May to November rain does not fall here. So, to contend with
this semi-arid condition, we brought in several loads of chips from local
tree-trimming companies as a way of conserving water in the soil. Each day,
especially during the abundant harvest of summer, our meals consist primarily
of our own healthful, organic produce. Many times we make desserts using
fresh fruits from trees growing on our lot. We eat according to the
seasons; from nature's shelves we make our meals.
Practicing stewardship of the land has turned our small property into a haven
for many "wild" animals. There are a variety of birds
feasting on the multitude of bugs and seeds, butterflies and bees that busily
pollinate our plants, and a family of squirrels. We get night visits from
possums and even a cute little skunk has taken up residence under a neighbor's
house. Besides providing our wholesome daily "bread," gardening
gives us one good workout. And, where else can one enjoy serenity
everyday but by living in a garden? - The Dervaes Family