Path to Freedom Urban Pioneers

Urban Pioneers
"Doing what we can, where we are, with what we have - right now."
Since the mid 80s members of the Dervaes family have steadily worked away at transforming their ordinary city lot in Pasadena, California into an integral urban homestead.
They regard their 1/5 acre urban homestead as a sustainable living resource center where they are setting out to live by example while also inspiring others to “just do it!”
Founded by Jules Dervaes in 2001, Path to Freedom is a not for profit, family operated, viable urban homesteading project which is breaking new ground every year.
Their yard has over 350 varieties of edible and useful plants. The homestead's productive 1/10 acre organic garden now grows over 6,000 pounds (3 tons) of organic produce annually,providing fresh vegetables and fruit for the family’s vegetarian diet along with a viable income.
In addition they have chickens, ducks, goats, brew their own biodiesel (made from waste (free!) vegetable oil) to fuel their car, compost with worms, solar panels provide their electricity needs, a sun and earthen oven is used to cook food in. These "Urban Pioneers" have taken steps to bring about a homegrown revolution - they are "living it."

The Urban Homestead: At a Glance

Mission
We seek to live more enviromentally conscious, simple, agrarian and self-sufficient life by bringing about change in our daily lives - one step at a time. We hope that our journey will insprire fellow travlers who are on the path less traveled.
Our family's mission and struggle will be to continue to acquire the total package of brains, guts and knowledge necessary to become self-sufficient pioneers and better earth stewards.

"To use our hands as weapons of mass creation and to walk the path to restoration and renewal."
~ Jules Dervaes ~