The Dervaes Family – Woohoo!
How in the world did I not know about these people?!
They’re growing 3-4,000 lbs of organic fruit and vegetables per year, using water-saving irrigation methods, and saving their seeds along the way.
They’re raising goats (milk), chickens (eggs), and ducks (more eggs).
They’re keeping bees for honey and wax.
They’re only using 6.5 kWh of energy from the grid per month (compared to about 620 kWh at my house). Their house is on solar, and they generate electricity in other ways too…like good ole’ pedal power.
They’re making their own diesel fuel using spent vegetable oil from local restaurants – 1,500 gal. so far.
They’re using the products they produce with their own hands to fund their existence.
They are not living like hermits or in squalor – in fact their house is really amazing – so alive.
AND they’re doing it all on a 1/5 acre lot (1/2 of which is taken up by their house) in the middle of Pasadena, CA.
This is so inspiring! It CAN be done. They are the Dervaes family and they’re amazing.
Wow. Just wow. The only fault I can find with them is that they’re vegetarians. Just kidding – ;o)
By the way – I’m guest posting on two different blogs tomorrow. Tenderfoot Diaries and Be A Survivor. Pay em a visit!
October 14, 2009 at 9:50 am
The Dervaes are pretty amazing, and it was because of them that I realized what *can* be done in a small space. I’m not even close to where they are, yet, but someday
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If you like them, you should also check out Novella Carpenter at Ghost Town Farm – also in California – who’s doing something similar … but she’s not a vegetarian
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October 14, 2009 at 10:27 am
Thanks for that link and for stopping by!
October 15, 2009 at 8:05 pm
They are what made me decide to take the leap
I have half the land they do, but one quarter the people…I should be able to kick butt!