Our 1/10 acre garden is based on holistic agrarian growing principles, which affect the work ethic, management and stewardship of the growing grounds. We grow only seasonally with the natural rhythms in harmony with nature. If a particular produce is out of season for the Southern California area, we do not try to unnaturally force it to grow in our garden through greenhouses, hydroponics or other unnatural methods.

Our growing methods and principles include:

• Naural Pest Management • Permaculture / Polyculture • Bio-intensive / Beds • No-till / Mulch • Ancient Practices • Stewardship / Biblical Principles

• Edible Landscaping • Vertical Gardening • Container Gardening • Multi-story Mode • Dervaes Sr.'s Jungle Style • Dervaes Jr.'s Max-out Method

The yard has over 350 varieties of edible and useful plants and now grows over 6,000 pounds (3 tons) of produce annually. This provides fresh vegetables and fruit for our family's vegetarian diet and is a source of income.

:: Giving Back ::

We tithe 10% of our harvest - giving back in acknowledgement of what we have been so blessed to be given.

We treat all our animals with love, care and respect and are fully attentive to their comfort and needs. Each breed is carefully researched and selected to fit into our urban homestead lifestyle.

We are vegetarians and none of our animals are raised or sold for meat-related purposes. We consider them to be pets and have given each a name. Our animals are organically vege-fed with no antibiotics, meat-by-products, medications, or drugs. We supplement our poultry's grain diet with extra greens and vegetables from our garden, grasshoppers and other bugs, and scraps from the kitchen.

Although they are usually confined in a run, the animals live in the fresh air and sunshine and allowed to scratch in the soil, bask in the warmth, or wallow in dust to their hearts' content. But on some days, we let them wander freely around the yard and garden for extra exercise and enjoyment, or confine them in moveable run in several parts of the yard.

We do not force our ducks and chickens to produce eggs. Instead, we allow them to respond to their bodies' needs. Our ducks and chickens lay eggs when they want to and their production naturally decreases during winter months, molting season, and as they age. In addition, our aging animals are allowed to live out their days in comfort and in full enjoyment of life.