For most scientists in the organic community, trying to figure out how to sustain the world’s population with organically grown foods is at the forefront of scientific endeavors.
One major reason is to provide a viable solution to the debilitating theory of exponential population growth. Ergo, many solutions have been found such as indoor farming , solar-powered floating farming , and even vertical farming .
However, the aforementioned are solutions made to help tens to hundreds of thousands of people survive on organically grown food, primarily on a 2,000-calorie-day diet. What if the scenario were made that families themselves were responsible for feeding itself. Apparently, that is more than possible through urban agroecolonies. One family actually sets the example by growing up to 6,000 pounds of food on a small yard.
According to a special report by SoCal Connected through the YouTube channel Food Abundance , the Dervaes family – who live just south of Los Angeles, California – is showing everyone how they grow 6,000 pounds of food per year on their yard which is one-tenth the size of an acre. They grow over 400 species of plants, 4,300 pounds of vegetables, 900 chickens, 1,000 duck eggs, 25 pounds of honey, plus seasonal fruits throughout the year.
Eat Local Grown followed-up on the Dervaes family in which they provided thorough insight on how they run their little farm in the midst of big city living. First, every member of the family pitches in to help out. This includes the family patriarch Jules Dervaes, his two daughters, and his son. Next, the farm is efficient and off-the-grid in more ways than one which includes using hand-powered gizmos for kitchen items, maintaining the balance between plants and animals, and utilizing solar panels for the little amount of electricity they may need.
As of now, Jules Dervaes is dreaming of a “Homesteadville,” a community that lives like they do that will consist of him, his family, his family’s family, and others who want to live just like they do. Plans for its initiation have not been revealed but may come to fruition through sharing what they do with the world. To learn more about the Dervaes family and how they grow 6,000 pounds of food per year through urban agroecolony, they have an official Facebook page that explains what they do and how one may start if they choose to.
[Images via Dervaes family official Facebook]
