Path to Freedom presents 'A Homegrown Revolution' A collaboration of selective media clips which feature their urban homestead and farm which focus on the need of radical action -- growing food in the city.
A grassroots, revolutionary urban homesteading model in Pasadena is having a deep impact in promoting urban sustainability.  Eco pioneers, Jules Dervaes and his family, have taken upon themselves to be the change they wish to see by living the solution. Their sustainable homestead has demonstrated to others how to live a low impact lifestyle by reducing one’s carbon footprint.
Living off the land doesn’t mean moving to the country. The Dervaes family has taken it upon themselves to grow as much of their diet right on a typical urban lot. Over a decade ago, the family smothered their traditional lawn and transformed their city lot into an amazingly productive edible estate. The family’s 1/10 acre garden provides them with all the vegetables, herbs and fruit needed for their vegetarian diet, as well as a viable income. In the summer, their “100 foot diet†consists of nearly 80%-90% of homegrown produce. Even though their garden may be small, it’s hugely productive, yielding over 3 tons (6,000 lbs) of food.
Sharing the urban homestead is a menagerie of farm animals. Goats, chickens, ducks and thousands of worms provide the family with eggs, fertilizer and, in the near future, fresh milk.
In addition to producing most of their own food, the Dervaes clan has managed to decrease their homestead’s reliance on non-renewable resources by using solar panels, energy efficient appliances and a homemade biodiesel processor which turns waste vegetable oil into fuel for their diesel car for only 70 cents a gallon.  Taking energy conservation a step further, the Dervaeses strive to “power down†and “unplug.†Instead, they rely on alternative, earth- friendly appliances, such solar ovens, a pedal powered blender, a hand cranked food processor and more.Â
Not only has this family taken steps to go off-the-grid, but also they are pushing the envelope in water conservation. Buried throughout their garden are unglazed clay pots—an ancient , yet efficient, irrigation system. Soon to be installed are a space saving module water storage system from Australia for rainwater harvesting and a greywater reclamation system that will help reduce their water usage.
This family is a remarkable example of how urbanites can live a green, more sustainable life even in the heart of the city. Their revolutionary journey is well-documented on their extensive and popular website www.PathtoFreedom.com .Â
Their website has over 4 million unique visitors a year and inspires urbanites from over 100 countries to follow the path to freedom through urban self sufficiency.
Since the early 80's the Dervaes family has slowly been transforming their ordinary city lot into a self sufficient urban homestead.
Jules Dervaes and his family are urban eco pioneers--walking the talk, taking steps to bring about a homegrown revolution by doing what they can, with what they have, where they are – right now!
Be inspired to join the urban sustainable revolution at www.PathtoFreedom.com
(NOTE: This video's creation, concept, layout, sound pickups and editing was done in a marathon session of just three days so please excuse any choppy editing! )