Eco Pioneers

As I wrote in my first column, let's learn how to create an urban homestead in our very own backyard, no matter the location or how large, small or non-existent the space. And while each of us may have different reasons for the pursuit, whether it is to lessen our carbon footprint, to save money by growing our own food, or a simple love for the land, it's a journey worthy of a few good leaders.

So over the next few columns I'm going to introduce you to some incredible eco-pioneers, and I cannot imagine a more amazing group of urban homesteaders to get us started, to thoroughly inspire us to dig, plant, and grow, as the Dervaes family of Pasadena, California.

The Dervaes family, led by Jules Dervaes, 63, patriarch of three: Anaïs, 36, Justin, 32, and Jordanne, 27, have shown how a truly small space can be utilized in organic food production. They produce three tons of food from a tenth of an acre property near Los Angeles. And while many, including myself, would have thought you'd need at least a couple of acres for such success, this extraordinary family proves otherwise with over four hundred different vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries, not to mention collecting over 1,700 eggs and 25 pounds of honey.

They gross about $20,000 annually through sales of their organics to local businesses and caterers, all from a 66 ft x 132 foot lot, in the city!

I honestly need not repeat the Dervaes' journey in its entirety here; it has been printed in numerous magazines, newspapers and in video. From how Jules became aware of our fragile environment during the 1960s and for a time lived in New Zealand where he was a beekeeper. Only for the family to eventually return to the U.S. and live in Florida before they settled in California in the mid-'80s.

While the family has had a finger to the pulse of the world it wasn't until 2000 that Jules became determined to grow as much food for his family to eat as possible after he heard about Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMOs, being introduced into the U.S. food supply.

This move into self-sufficiency has transformed not only a small property but lives as the family created the Dervaes Institute that includes a blog, online goods store, and a short documentary, "'Homegrown' The 21st Century Family Farm" that has been featured in cities around the country.

They are constantly moving and doing and being featured for their tireless work and the example they set for others is unprecedented. In fact, SoCal Connected did a recent video segment over the previous summer to highlight the Dervaes and their urban homestead. Where they do not call it global warming, or even global climate change, but what Justin coined global weirding. Because this amazing family is very conscious as to the environmental impact we all have on the planet and have taken the time to not only show us how to make a difference but actually live it.

Now that's food for thought.

So if a family of four can maximize food production in such a small environment, imagine what those of you who are blessed with perhaps twice the amount of space could do?

Or, what you could manage in a fraction of the space?

The Dervaes have proven it and to truly get an appreciation on how much they have accomplished please visit their website at: http://urbanhomestead.org/

* Originally published in the Garden Island Newspaper, February 22, 2011

• The mother of two munchkins, Bethany J. Royer is a wanna-be urban homesteader and writer. She is actively seeking a publisher for her first post-apocalyptic novel. She blogs prolifically at motherofthemunchkins.blogspot.com.