Under THE Willow�An Under the Willow Tree Production� Spring 2011�

URBAN HOMESTEADING�How a way of life was hijacked�

The Key to Simple Living�City Cents Urban Homesteading�

www.UnderTheWillowTree.net�

Welcome Spring�!�

Pastured Meat Rabbits�Guest Writer Deanna Duke�

Under the Willow is produced in partnership with English Mountain Press. And eChannelz�No materials contained in this newsletter may be used without the written permission of its�owners. No part of this newsletter may be copied, sold, transmitted, reprinted, or�rebroadcast without the written permission of English Mountain Press & Productions, LLC.�

Under the Willow Tree is headquartered in Tennessee. Please visit our website for more�information about our organization.�

© 20011 Under The Willow Tree. All rights reserved.�

Under the Willow�Our Staff�

Founder/Developer� Michele “Shell” Washam�Producer - eTV Channels� Michele “Shell” Washam�Editor-in-chief Urban�Homesteading blog� Julie Charet�Creative Development� Gina Marie�

Broadcasting Information�

Are you an author, blogger, or just someone with a GREAT country living idea�but have no way to broadcast your message? The Under the Willow Tree�

platform offers affordable broadcasting and advertising options. Our platform�offers several broadcast options: web, Internet radio, eTelevision, and eZine. If�you have an idea that relates to country living, gardening, urban homesteading,�

Green living, or related contact our offices for more details and start�broadcasting today!�

Tennessee Production Facility and headquarters is open Monday - Friday 10 AM - 4P M�EST 423-623-9950�

A Message from our�Founder�Greetings to all of my fellow�dirt lovers!�

Bear with me this week guys,�dad is back in the hospital and�Ashley leaves for the Navy on�

Wednesday, it’s been crazy here, but I wanted to�send out at least a little something. Can you believe�my baby is going into the NAVY???�

Has this been the LONGEST winter or what? The�garden gods are smiling down on us here in east�Tennessee at the moment. It looks like the time�has come for early spring planting and I am itching�to get out and play in the dirt! How about you? Our�neighbor came and plowed the garden for us a�week or so ago and it's ready for planting. While I�was out there surveying the Ozark strawberries I�got from Gurney's last year I noticed they have�taken off like wild fire! They're EVERYWHERE! I'm�going to have to thin them out and I'll probably give�all the extras to my neighbor. Since we just planted�them last year we didn't get too many berries, but�based on reports from others who have grown this�variety, the second year is supposed to be a�strawberry bonanza! I am READY!�

There has been lots of excitement in the urban�homesteading community these past few weeks. It�appears the Dervaes family out in Pasadena (Path�to Freedom) took it upon themselves to trademark�the terms Urban Homestead and Urban�Homesteading, as if that wasn't enough, the�dummies then sent out what amounts to cease and�desist letters to over 16 people using the terms�EVEN THOUGH the activities of their businesses or�organizations had absolutely NOTHING to do with�what the Dervaes do. Well, let me tell you... you�ain't NEVER seen a movement like this one! The�entire urban homesteading community, including�rural homesteaders and suburban homesteaders�joined together and opened a can of whoop ass on�the Dervaes. The EFF (Electronic Frontier�

Foundation) got involved and everyone is waiting�with bated breath to see what will happen next.�There is NO DOUBT the Dervaes will lose. YOU�CAN'T TRADMARK A WAY OF LIFE!!! So, needless�to say, Under the Willow is heavily involved in the�movement to "Take Back Urban Homesteading". Go�to Facebook and type in that phrase and join us!�

This bit o' news is a good one. Mike FINALLY agreed�to let me get chickens again!! Woot! Woot! My little�darlings will be here on March 14, and I can�HARDLY wait! In addition to a variety of brown egg�layers, I ordered 2 silkies. I just can't wait to get�them. After reading about the amount of toxins�and poisons in our food supply as well as being feed�to our animals, I've decided to kick my "self-�sufficiency" movement up a notch. The Washam�Farmstead will grow by leaps and bounds this year,�no doubt.�

Under the Willow launched a new Internet radio�program which is hosted by Urban Homesteading�editor-in-chief, Julie Charet and myself and our�online community is up and running. The website is�almost ready and the eTV shows are in production!�Please visit the website at�www.underthewillowtree.net and click on the�MEMBERS link to join us.�

I've got some goodies for you in this first 2011�issue, a special guest and some great articles,�giveaway, etc. So go grab a nice cup of tea and�read on! Oh, and don't forget to join the�community! I'll see you there!�

Shell Washam�

Founder/Developer�Under the Willow Tree�eChannelz�

With the current state of our economy, the�unrest around the world, and the rising prices�of just about everything, people have been�moving towards sustainability in larger�numbers. It doesn’t matter if you live in the�suburbs or in an apartment building in the big�city, urban homesteading, suburban�homesteading, and even rural homesteading�are quickly becoming one of the largest and�fastest growing movements of our time.�

Until recently,�some of us had�no clue just�how vast the�urban�homesteading�community�really is. Most�of us were�pleasantly�surprised to�discover just�how many people around the US and the�world participate in this simple, yet rewarding�way of life. What's even better is the fact that�all of these wonderful "homesteaders" are�truly the most amazing people you'd ever�want to meet. And meet we did!�

You may have heard of a family out in�Pasadena, CA that operates a fairly popular�urban homestead, well actually it is a�suburban homestead. The Dervaes family, up�until recently, were actually a great example�in the latest urban homesteading movement.�The family grows somewhere around 3 tons�

of food on their 1/10th of an acre suburban�lot and basically live off-grid as much as�possible by reducing their consumption,�taking only one shower a week, canning and�preserving their food, giving tours of their�urban homestead, etc. They've even�managed to squeak out a decent living selling�their bounty to local residents, restaurants,�and caterers. For the past several years the�

family patriarch,�Jules Dervaes has�often ranted about�how America needs�to break its ties with�greedy corporations�and become more�self-sufficient. Good�advice these days.�Many urban�homesteaders�shared the Dervaes�website and�

information on their websites, blogs, articles,�etc. Hundreds of people referred others to�their urban homesteading website,�Path to�Freed�om (You'll have to Google it because�I'm not giving the link!) to see how a lot�could be produced from even the tiniest of�spaces. That's just the way these folks are,�you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. They�are the glue that keeps neighborly values�alive.�

Here's the problem. In October 2010,�unbeknownst to anyone in the urban�homesteading community the Dervaeses'�

Urban Homesteading�Take Back�

Can a Way of Life be Trademarked?�

trademarked the generic terms "Urban�Homestead" and "Urban Homesteading"�amongst other things. It wasn't until the�Facebook pages of people using the terms�were being shut down and�others began receiving what�amounts to a cease and�desist letter that all hell broke�loose. DON'T mess with the�good folks who make up the�urban homesteading�community! You'll regret it.�

Within 3-days there were�over 3500 members on the�newly created "Take Back�Urban Home-Steading(s)�Facebook� page (Do a search�on Facebook to join the�movement) and these folks�were MAD! As the days wore�on, the Dervaes issued several weak attempts�to justify their actions, claiming that Jules�Dervaes "invented" the modern urban�homesteading movement. They shut down all�of their comments pages, all of their�Facebook pages and dug in. In a self styled�press release, Jules Dervaes stated that he�was only protecting what is legally theirs.�

Here's a portion of the release:�

"�In the attempt to maintain the reputation�and integrity of the trademarks, Dervaes�Institute has privately informed, to date, a�total of 16 organizations, publishers and�businesses about the proper usage of the�registered terms�," the press release reads�(their underlining, not ours). "No threat was�made against anyone's first amendment�rights; yet, there has been a heated�argument in the media against what should�

have been the Dervaeses' normal rights to�protect their trademarks."�

Meanwhile, the Dervaes sent letters to�Facebook to have Denver Urban�Homesteading (A farmers market�in Denver) Fan page taken down�with no warning or notice cutting�off their main source of�communication with their�customers. This would be one of�several actions taken by the�Dervaes in coming days that�would cripple businesses who�had been utilizing the techniques�of urban homesteading LONG�before the Dervaes family.�

Kelly Coyn and Eric Knudson,�authors of the book�The Urban�Homestead� learned that a DCMA�(Digital Millenium Copyright Act)�

take down notice was sent to Google and�Amazon by the Dervaes’ claiming that content�in their book violated their trademark. In this�case it was a misuse of the DCMA on the�Dervaes part and Google ignored the request.�The book was written 2-years prior to the�Dervaes winning their trademark. In a�massive effort to show support, Urban�Homesteaders ordered the book in droves!�Currently, it's on back order at Amazon and�some bloggers ordered multiple copies for�contests and giveaways to help the authors�with their legal fees.�

The Dervaes made an extremely weak�attempt at damage control when they issued�another statement that basically advised�anyone who wanted to use the phrases to�change the words or give a mention and link�back to them on blogs or website's using the�terms. They basically wanted free traffic from�anyone who dared use the terms that�describe a lifestyle for many. Basically, Jules�

Dervaes did exactly what he claimed to have�despised in his rants about big corporations�and even went so far as to compare himself to�Nike. Go figure.�

Within 48 hours the Electronic Frontier�Foundation took on the legal case against the�Dervaes Institute and sent the Dervaes a�letter demanding that they take the necessary�steps to have the Facebook pages reinstated.�The letter was ignored and instead of giving a�hoot about the massive response, total�destruction of their reputation and movement�to put them out of business, they sent out�more letters. The Dervaes claimed the�response to their disgusting actions are a�bunch of "lies and a hoax". They claimed they�were receiving death threats and had to�remove all of their commenting pages and�social media links. As the days wore on urban�homesteaders and people who just supported�urban homesteaders discovered that things�weren't as they seemed with the Dervaes�family. The family filed for "church status" and�operate as an Urban Homesteading church.�They enjoy the tax benefits as such. Religious�writing by Jules Dervaes show a dominant,�controlling man with a vision of starting his�own "Village" of urban homesteaders in South�America. Little bit of Jim Jones, cult like thingy�going on there maybe?�

As of now, the battle continues, but I can tell�you this much, the urban homesteading�community will not give up, give in, or give�over until they have reclaimed what is�rightfully theirs...and that is, urban�homesteading.�

If you'd like to join the movement� to take�back urban homesteading, type the phrase�"Take Back Urban Home-Steading" into the�Facebook search engine and "like" the page.�

This is the place to not only show your�support, but to meet other homesteaders.�Every day there is something new, the�members are constantly sharing ideas,�stories, pictures, etc. It’s become a family.�You’ll LOVE it!�

The Crunchy Chicken’s� Deanna Duke was�the first to break the news about the�Dervaeses' trade marking the terms on her�blog, visit her website for more information as�well as an extensive list of urban�homesteading blogs, websites, resources and�more. Deanna has been compiling the list�from the now 5500 members who are part of�this movement.�www.thecrunchychicken.com�

Come Join Us!�The Under the Willow Tree Members�Community is now OPEN!�

Groups, Forums, Blogs, chats and�more. This is socializing at its�finest! It’s FREE to join !�

If you love country living, urban�homesteading, gardening, cooking�and more, you’ll love our�community!�

http://underthewillowtree.wall.fm/�

See You�There!�

Under the Willow Tree Special Guest Writer�

Pastured Meat Rabbits�I've spent far�too much time�recently�researching�meat rabbits,�breeds and�methods of�dispatching�them. In the�past, I've�looked into�

breeding rabbits for fiber, mostly thinking that�Angoras would be more up my alley,�particularly since the whole processing aspect�of meat rabbits is still beyond my comfort level�and I know I would be the one left to doing the�dispatching.�

I'm not entirely new to rabbit husbandry since�I had a bunch of bunnies in my childhood. I�like the idea of rabbits for fiber, but it's hard�to acquire Angoras in my area, and I'm not�sure that I have the gumption to knit anything�up with the fiber. That is, of course, after�mixing it with wool and spinning my own yarn�with it. The manure aspect of rabbits certainly�intrigues me as a good compost for the garden�but, as of yet, I have done nothing regarding�raising rabbits. It's been all talk and no action.�

I'm also most likely cursed with the only two�children on the face of the planet who hate�rabbits. For whatever their reasons, they sure�ain't sharing them with me. In any case, how�did I come about looking up meat rabbits�again? Well, my foodie brother was discussing�his plans for doing a big Easter event (much�like his Poultrygeist event in October with�ducks) which, not too surprisingly, involve�rabbit as one of the course ingredients. I�

suggested perhaps raising some rabbits on his�behalf as long as he did the dispatching.�

Again, not too surprisingly, he was fine with�that. He's very interested in knowing exactly�where his ingredients come from, and learning�how to process rabbits, chickens, goats, etc. is�something he has no problem with. So, it looks�like we might have some sort of matched�interest here.�

While looking up meat rabbits, I ran across a�number of sites mentioning pastured rabbits,�most likely originating from the practice done�at Polyface Farms (Joel Salatin of Omnivore's�Dilemma fame). Basically, you keep the�bunnies in a sort of chicken tractor that gets�rotated around so the rabbits have access to�fresh clover, grass, weeds and the like.�

This is supplemented with traditional rabbit�pellets and hay, depending on the time of�year. I thought this was a very interesting idea�in that it not only is a money saver, but the�rabbits are more likely producing a healthier�meat and are generally happier hanging out in�the grass during decent weather.�

By Deanna Duke @TheCrunchyChicken.com�

Check out MORE great articles at�www.TheCrunchyChicken.com�

"Quality: A key to Simple Living�By Julie Charet�

Urban Homesteading Editor-In-Chief�

I never realized how�bombarded consumers are�with information and choices�until I recently viewed a�show regarding pitch men.�The show followed a current�pitch man, the people who�have items they wish to�mass market and the�process to take an item from�

idea to in-home. In the episode, the pitchman�financed a chip bag item where liquid does not�escape from the bag. Liquid in a chip bag?�

Two thoughts crossed my mind: 1) I can make�that same item with molding clay and 2) Do I�really need this item? In my household, we eat�chips on a semi-regular basis. Potatoes are�high in carbohydrates and a handful of Lays is�not worth a trip to the hospital for insulin�injections. When chips are in the house, we�roll the top of the bag and put it in a�designated place to avoid spillage. Pretty�simple.�

The next day, I saw a commercial from the�aforementioned pitchman regarding a self�stirring item for cooking. I laughed. There are�four burners on an average stove. Have we've�become so lazy that we can not spend one�minute stirring our food?�

You may say "Hey Julie! Your blog discusses�simple living. Where is the contradiction?" The�contradiction is these items are not apart of�

the simple living ideal. Folding a chip bag and�placing it in a secure spot is simple living. To�take a minute to stir food is simple living.�Simple living is moving from the consumerism�mentality to self-sufficiency. This does not�mean we never consume, it means we need to�consume wisely.�

Let's face it. There are great new designs on�the classics: Dyson vacuums/air blades/hand�dryer and iPhone for example. The problem is�there are many choices in the stores and the�quality not only differs at price point but store�to store. How many vacuums now have�mimicked Dysons' clear cannister concept?�How many smart phones mimic the Iphone?�

The key to smart (i.e. saving money) and�ecological shopping is purchasing quality.�Quality means a well constructed item sold by�a reputable, ethical company. It means taking�time to research opinions and information�about a particular item, the manufacturer, the�manufacturers support and accessibility of�replacement parts.�

The business environment today can be highly�unethical. Monsanto and other bio producers�(like Dow) are producing genetically modified�seeds which are predicted to cause serious�health issues in the near future. If a person did�not research, they would not know that Whole�Foods, Target, Wal-Mart, Supervalu, Kroger,�Trader Joes, ect sell these GMO foods and are�not required to label their products as such�

under current US laws. An uneducated�consumer would visit this store, pay more for�the organic label and receive a inferior�product.�

If we must go to the store to replace our�vacuum every year (which happened to me),�money and time is wasted in the replacement.�I realized after the third replacement, I spent�more on cheaper vacuums than purchasing a�quality item. In 2005, I purchased a�refurbished Dyson DC14 and never looked�back. In the six years I've�owned the vacuum, the�only repair was a�replacement hose. I am�able to pull the vacuum�apart to easily find items�jarred within the vacuum�and Dysons' customer�service assists if needed.�

I ran across a similar�problem with humidifiers.�I've been blessed with�inherited sinus structure�problems. When the�weather changes, I�experience sudden sinus�headaches and infections. I purchased three�lower quality humidifier three years in a row.�I had enough and purchased a Vornado four�years ago--issue free.�

Quality costs money upfront. A Dyson vacuum�is $300-$500. A Vornado is $100+. I paid�$249 for my Dyson plus $24 for the hose�replacement. $273 vs $500 + for a new�vacuum per year. The savings is in the length�the item lasts.�

Does high quality apply to retail alone?�

Absolutely not.�

Last weekend after attending a travel show,�my husband, son and I visited P.F. Changs.�We've never experienced quality or service�problems. The spring egg rolls arrived "well�done". The tofu meal, which we ate several�times before, was served super spicy (which�is not the normal or requested way this item�is served). We mentioned this to our server�

closer to the end of the�service and requested extra�fortune cookies to neutralize�the spice. My husband and I�were calm, mentioned the�situation briefly and did not�think twice about it. The�next thing we knew, the�manager came over to our�table, apologized and�offered to make another�meal. We declined as we had�finished the meal. The�manager removed the cost�of the item from our check.�This is quality dining at its�finest. The food is normally�

par above and where there is an issue,�management immediately addressed the�problem. We frequently treat family members�to a meal and we are known for great food�and dining experiences.�

Quality may or may not have a coupon or�discount associated with the product or place.�Quality may be found at Fred's Steak House�or Menards. Quality is a key to a simple�lifestyle.�

Under the Willow Tree Live Talk Radio�- Weekly Shows�- Free Giveaways�- Contests�- Informative topics�- Special Guests�

Upcoming Topics:�

Food Safety�Gardening on a Budget�Stay tuned for Special Guest�Announcement�

Spring 2011 Giveaway�

1- Burpee Paper Pot Maker�

1- Fischer Safe Touch Garden�Tools Set�

5- Burpee Organic Vegetable�Seed Packats�

No purchase necessary. Winner will be randomly selected�from all entries on June 3, 2011. To participate simply join�the Under the Willow Tree mailing list.�

Go to www.underthewillowtree.net�Register FREE�

Coming Up...�In the next issue of Under the Willow and in a�series on our blog, we’ll be covering the issue of�food safety.�

This is one series you WON’T want to miss. Most�people have no idea what they are eating and�what they are eating is literally killing them. It’s�time to educate and inform about this situation.�

Stay tuned for the next issue of Under the Willow�and be sure to visit our blog for series updates�and special guest writers.�

http://michelewasham.blogspot.com�

Spring planting tips, great contests and giveaways, Special GREEN�living series, special guests and more! Stay tuned!�