Urban Homestead & M.E.T.

I came across this video... (through Ben's blog post today, thanks for sharing!) and it is AMAZING! ... This family is so great. I am sure some will think they are a bunch of hippies but I really think they have a lot of good examples and knowledge to share (and I love hippies!). I WANT TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS SOOO BAD. I wish we had more space, or at least a little yard. But, what this family does is challenge you to use what you have... So, I will try.

The Dervaes' Family grows their own fruits, vegetables, edible flowers, etc., (their goal for this year is 10,000lbs, and they do this all in a 1/10 of an acre!). They use alternative forms of energy: clay ovens, bicycle run blender, solar panels, solar heated outdoor shower, solar ovens, biofuel, etc. And they practice composting, vermiculture, permaculture and so on.

This is the sort of thing we were trying to accomplish in Tacna, Peru with the Moviemento Ecological project. We started a composting business using the deseschos from the juice ladies, and old grass clippings from the city. We built a green house out of recycled plastic bottles. We started a nursery business that is flourishing! (see photo below) An eco-park was created using reclaimed water. Over 3000 trees have been planted. **I say "we started" because we were there in the very beginning, but really its been the Peruvians who have made it into something incredible.

A small report from Jake's visit a couple of weeks ago:

"The park is green, full, and well taken care of. The plants continue to take root, transforming not only the look of the town but it continues to awaken community. The nursery business is slowly growing towards independence and sustainability.

The group has put together quite a proposal to obtain 10 hectares of arable land several miles from the project. The president of the land committee was so impressed with their organization and ideas that he was awarded them 20 hectares instead of 10—the only thing the committee is asking is $700 for documentation and processing (if you would like to participate in such a need, please let us know). What they will be doing with this land includes fish and chicken farms, olive, mango, and other fruit tree groves, and a great expansion of the nursery's capabilities.

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