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sierraclub.org - sierra magazine - july/august 2011 - urban-farms - backyard homesteads: honey, i shrunk the farm

Backyard Homesteads: Honey, I Shrunk the Farm

Photography by Lori Eanes | Captions by Della Watson

Laura Allen successfully fought Oakland's policy forbidding permits for graywater systems, which utilize water from baths, sinks, and washing machines for garden irrigation. A cofounder of Greywater Action, Allen leads classes on harvesting rainwater, constructing composting toilets, and installing wetland filtering systems, like the one she has in her backyard homestead. The sustainable oasis supports a thriving vegetable garden and 15 fruit trees.