This month, we chatted with new member Anais Dervaes of the Urban Homestead, a small but mighty family farm smack dab in the middle of Los Angeles! While they may be growing just 15 minutes from downtown, surrounded by miles and miles of concrete, this ain't no hobby garden. On less than a quarter acre, they harvest 7,000 pounds of specialty produce annually, selling through their own CSA program. Over the years, the Urban Homestead has been featured CBS, ABC, Oprah, the LA Times and the NY Times, inspiring urban farmers the world over and proving that where there's a will there's way. And from the sounds of it, their will to provide this urban community with healthy, fresh, local food is a force to be reckoned with!
How did Urban Homestead get started?
Family owned and operated urban farm since 1985. Our mission is to cultivate food and community based on urban sustainability and agriculture that inspires, engages & educates.
We operate a weekly/bi weekly multi farm & food artisan farm box program. In addition, we offer volunteer opportunities, hands on workshops and farm to table events.
What do you love most about farming?
Well, where to start? Lots to love about farming, and it does help that we got our Dervaes family genes! Being outside in nature, getting hands dirty and working the land.
What do you say to people who say urban farming isn’t viable?
Either they haven’t done it or are not doing it right. We are living, growing proof that it can be done and done successfully on a small scale! We have been selling specialty niche produce for 25 years and we can sell everything we can grow! Yes, it’s harder with less land, but one benefit is that we are closer to our customer base.
What do feel are the greatest obstacles facing farmers in California—especially those near urban areas?
Obviously, drought and the lack of rainfall will affect every farm and the growing climate is definitely changing. Imported pests in the last 10 years or so also have affected what we can grow and when we can grow it. The rising cost of real estate is also tough because we are losing prime farmland every day to development. It’s even harder in urban areas, very little if any undeveloped vacant land is currently available for urban farms and community gardens. It’s unfortunate that food and farmland are not a top priority.
If you could teach the public one thing about agriculture, what would it be?
It sounds cliché but try to eat with the seasons and buy from local farmers! Local seasonal produce means just that: it’s not available year-round. It’s sometimes hard to tell the general public that some produce is just not in season when they can go to any supermarket and get it year-round.
Family owned and operated urban farm since 1985. Our mission is to cultivate food and community based on urban sustainability and agriculture that inspires, engages & educates.
We operate a weekly/bi weekly multi farm & food artisan farm box program. In addition, we offer volunteer opportunities, hands on workshops and farm to table events.
What do you love most about farming?
Well, where to start? Lots to love about farming, and it does help that we got our Dervaes family genes! Being outside in nature, getting hands dirty and working the land.
What do you say to people who say urban farming isn’t viable?
Either they haven’t done it or are not doing it right. We are living, growing proof that it can be done and done successfully on a small scale! We have been selling specialty niche produce for 25 years and we can sell everything we can grow! Yes, it’s harder with less land, but one benefit is that we are closer to our customer base.
What do feel are the greatest obstacles facing farmers in California—especially those near urban areas?
Obviously, drought and the lack of rainfall will affect every farm and the growing climate is definitely changing. Imported pests in the last 10 years or so also have affected what we can grow and when we can grow it. The rising cost of real estate is also tough because we are losing prime farmland every day to development. It’s even harder in urban areas, very little if any undeveloped vacant land is currently available for urban farms and community gardens. It’s unfortunate that food and farmland are not a top priority.
If you could teach the public one thing about agriculture, what would it be?
It sounds cliché but try to eat with the seasons and buy from local farmers! Local seasonal produce means just that: it’s not available year-round. It’s sometimes hard to tell the general public that some produce is just not in season when they can go to any supermarket and get it year-round.
Why did you join CAFF & The Farmers Guild?
Farmers need to support farmers in order to survive the challenges of the future. We must grow together.
Of everything you grow, what’s your favorite?
That’s a tough question! Salad mix, peppers and tomatoes are my top 3 growing favorites, with tomatoes winning by a slim margin. So many varieties and color choices, so little space!
Farmers need to support farmers in order to survive the challenges of the future. We must grow together.
Of everything you grow, what’s your favorite?
That’s a tough question! Salad mix, peppers and tomatoes are my top 3 growing favorites, with tomatoes winning by a slim margin. So many varieties and color choices, so little space!
LEARN MORE AT:
www.urbanhomestead.org
www.urbanhomestead.org
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