Urban Homestead — Attraction in Pasadena

When I first heard of them about 9 years ago, I though they were doing an awesome thing....

Then I learned better. All they are is super shady people trying to make a buck.

We interacted with the Dervaes monthly for years at the Rose Bowl Drop. They were always rude, even when you tried to be friendly. They never even said "hi", or "thank you" for the times I would help unload their items from the truck, or load their items to their car. They carried themselves with an air of arrogance - they are "different" and "better" than the rest of us.

They tried to Trademark "Urban Homestead"...a phrase that had been around for decades, a phrase they no way invented. They then strong armed and sent cease-and-desist letters to individuals and organizations with similar self-sufficient philosophies. Its a shame really, as our circle should be celebrating and supporting our shared vision to help it grow stronger, not trying to stomp people out in a competitive/capitalist grab for 'power'. Its so sad. Thankfully, they lost their Trademark because it was complete nonsense.

Finally - they run themselves as a business, and they make profit - BUT they have classified themselves as a religious organization. So, you know what, they are tax exempt. They pay no tax on their profits. Can they get any shadier?

Shame on these folks. Please don't put these people on a pedestal, there are other more inspiring people out there with...

Just picked up my first box today. Wow.

The people there are so insanely sweet. They walked me through every single thing in my box and explained to me how the boxes work and the trading. They even offered to bring the box to my car.

We had the following in the surprise box ($35):

Eggs (dozen) Kale Green Garlic Leek Avocado Tangerines? Some citrus Lime Onion Mixed Greens Spinach Snap Peas Rainbow Carrots Regular Carrots Broccoli Black Raddish Cabbage

I’ve done CSAs before where they just put like 50 lbs of potatoes in the box but this is a well balanced box with things I don’t normally cook with but could easily find recipes for.

The actual produce is INCREDIBLE. Specially during Covid I’ve been struggling to get good produce when I have curbside pick up or try instacart. Every bite of our dinner (leek and green garlic pasta) and side salad (mixed greens) and dessert (tangerine) was flavorful. I feel like I’ve been ruined and no produce will every match up to this one. I’m so happy I...

I wish I could do a tour, but I am in Idaho and must admire from afar. From the time I was a teenager I wanted to have lots of kand to grow food on. I thought living in the city meant I could only have a few herbs in pots. Then I learned about this amazing family and have been so inspired by them! :) My family and I have a small city lot of 7,875 square feet (total, with house plus garage on that lot) and have 10 fruit trees, 9 berry vines, 2 grape vines, our front yard no longer grows grass, but kale, lettuce, tomatoes, 3 types of squash, carrots, beets, chard, and potatoes, and we have a little flock of chickens for eggs. Thank you, Dervaes family for sharing your lives and spreading the message that even tiny lots can produce a lot of food! :) I never would have thought to do this in the middle...