Since the mid '80s, Jules Dervaes and his sons and daughters have steadily worked away at transforming an ordinary city lot in Pasadena, California into an integral urban homestead.
On this 1/5 acre urban homestead we have set out to live by example and inspire others to do the same. We are striving to be a sustainable homestead complete with solar energy, waste water management, growing our own food, and more.
Our family shares the homestead with a menagerie of chickens, ducks, goats and a crazy trio of rescued cats.
The one small garden of a free gardener was all his need and due, not a garden swollen to a realm; his own hands to use, not the hands of others to command.
~ J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings) ~
Jules plastering cob
Originally from Tampa, Florida, Jules attended Loyola University, New Orleans in 1965. While studying there, he became increasingly disillusioned with the American way of life. After graduating in 1969 with a B.S. in Math and a minor in Computer Science, he began a search for a more meaningful and service-oriented lifestyle... read more  |
In the cornfield (1981)
Anais, Justin & Jordanne Dervaes
These home schooled self-proclaimed "misfits" grew up with their hands (and feet!) in the soil. From an early age - even before most realized the legacy that was in their heritage - gardening had became a natural part of their lives. Influenced by their circumstances and possessing a love of nature and a concern for the environment, these young Dervaes' share similar goals and interests but each with uniquely different talents and "specialties"... meet the rest of the family |
Catch of the day Dedicated to...
Jules Sr. inspired within us a love of plants and the stewardship of the earth. His passion for cultivating and caring for living things was evident in his surroundings. Over the years, he slowly transformed his large typical Florida grass lawn into a tropical paradise... read more of this tribute |
