It's difficult to pin a title onto urban pioneer Jules Dervaes. Those who know him best know he cannot be easily pegged into any hole. All we can say is that he is a free thinker, inventive, creative -- a true old-fashioned pioneer but one constantly searching the future. He was a self-employed entrepreneur throughout most of his adult life in a series of successful startups from beekeeping and naturally-produced honey, to low environmental impact landscaping and lawn maintenance. A former schoolteacher with a degree in math, Jules was influenced by the artistic genes of his Belgian ancestors who cultivated a sense of beauty and order through keen hand-eye coordination (think Belgian lace). Current businesses include a sustainable, organic, community oriented locally grown produce business (www.dervaesgardens.com), and quality handcrafted artisan goods (www.julesdervaes.com). Jules currently focuses on pushing the limits of urban sustainability through PathtoFreedom.com, which was the first Urban Homestead model, and which, in 7 short years, has become one of the most respected urban sustainability sites on the web.

Following in his father's footsteps, Justin is an extremely talented jack-of-all-trades. Ask him exactly what is role is and be prepared to get quite an earful. Pry a little deeper and find a seed addict in denial. Justin is addicted to plants -- often planting seeds and growing them until there just isn't any a single inch of space to put them. If you can't find your way to our front door, blame it on Justin's plants. It is truly a jungle out there.

Just to save pixel space here, this little bio will have to leave out a lot about Justin. We'll just add that his self-taught mechanical skills are responsible for keeping the family/company car fueled with homemade biodiesel and our bicycles riding squeak-free. Justin's extensive knowledge is valuable in selecting the garden related products for Peddler's Wagon. Browse through the GARDEN category of our online store and enjoy knowing that these are products that are successfully proven on the Urban Homestead and approved by a true urban farmer.

Of all the hats Anais wears on the homestead, the "chef" hat is her favorite. As an experienced cook of many years, Anais has learned through a hands on approach what really works in the 21st centrury homestead kitchen. Having lived for all of her life as a modern day Laura Ingalls of Little House on the Prairie fame, Anais truly knows how time consuming everyday kitchen tasks can be. However, she has honed her kitchen skills to the point where she can prepare and preserve food with maximum efficiency while running her kitchen smoothly on a daily basis. With help from her hand-cranked appliances and solar ovens, Anais has found a way to preserve the vital nutrients in the family's homegrown foods while even getting the extra benefits of the solar rays' health-giving qualities and energy conservation. Not only is cooking iwith the solar ovens helpful for the planet, it is actually healthful for you. It can be easy being green (our sincere apologies to Kermit and other amphibians) and is the smart thing to do!

You too can have an efficient running homestead! Browse through the HOMEWARES category of our online store and enjoy knowing that these are products that are successfully proven on the Urban Homestead and approved by a true urban homesteader..

Jordanne is a mix of old-fashioned girl and 21st century techie. When you think of Jordanne, first and foremost picture Jane Austin, then "Jane Austin meets html." At an early age she was blessed with a talent for design and worked those skills into making her a budding website designer. As unlikely as it sounds for an eco- pioneer family, which believes a "step backwards is progress," to have such a family member, it is a necessary oxymoron in order for our grassroots organization to accomplish its goals. For someone who has always felt that she was born in the wrong century, Jordanne handles the contradiction very well, viewing it as a necessary part of the urban homestead outreach.

However, it is not all techno-work for Jordanne on the homestead. Daily she assumes another, more passionate role but this time think more "Jane Austen meets Ellie Mae." Jordanne loves her barnyard critters and is the family's full time vet and pet whisperer. Jordanne hand-raises her citified farm animals and treats them compassionately & holistically.

Many of the products offered on Peddler's Wagon have been tried and tested here on the urban homestead and have proven essential to the care of our menegarie of barnyard animals.