In Part One, Columbia resident and city homesteader Josh Hulen described how the staff of CCUA have helped him bring to fruition some of his ideas for a sustainable residence in the Benton-Stephens neighborhood. Here he discusses how he works with a growing network of sustainability-minded individuals and lists some of his future plans for his homestead.

Note: the close of this post includes four pictures from a recent rabbit processing workshop that Josh conducted. When reaching the bold-text warning below indicating that those photos are coming up, sensitive viewers may prefer to close the post.

I continue to use CCUA staff and their programs as well as many other sources to learn how to improve the effectiveness and affordability of my sustainability practices at the urban homestead. Volunteers and interns can learn as they assist me maintain and improve the place as well as help incorporate new projects. I’m beginning to teach others the established practices mentioned above, and I anticipate many more projects such as creating a more closed food loop for the animals, canning, cheese making, adding a hugelkultur bed, paddocking, and tree care. I built a solar dehydrator and a framed Fresnel lens and would like to continue experimenting with solar power also.

Josh introduces a young visitor to the rabbits.

People can contact me if they want to get involved. There are different levels of commitment as a volunteer or intern for school credit. Arrangements are determined on a case by case basis. I currently have a live-in volunteer but I’m always planning for the next opportunity. I also have work days similar to crop mob in which anyone can come work for a few hours then share a meal. Some people have gotten involved by presenting an interesting project and then help with special project days. This is how the solar dehydrator and a few rocket stoves were made.

I also have been offering workshops to the public. I have held two workshops this fall demonstrating rabbit raising and processing (and allowing participants to practice processing for themselves if they wish). I plan to have another later this fall; the workshops are free but people have an option to purchase their own fryer sized rabbit for $15. I typically give a tour of my place in the first hour, focusing on the small rabbitry.

Josh discusses rabbit health and care while trying to hang on to his energetic subject of conversation.

Then the rest of the afternoon we process rabbits. These workshops are good opportunities to learn more about how I’ve been learning how to practice better sustainability in town and to network with like-minded folks.

If you would like to sign up for a free workshop or learn more about getting involved contact me at 424-253-8536 or bike.and.hike.como@gmail.com. I highly suggest getting involved with CCUA if you haven’t already. Happy farming!

NOTE:

Below this point, after this picture of the one of the rabbit hutches, you will see four pictures from a recent rabbit processing workshop, showing the project of butchering a rabbit.

Sensitive viewers may prefer not to proceed.