Turns barren suburban lot into high-yield Microfarm & YT studio

On a 1/3rd acre urban lot in Corvallis, Oregon, horticulture professor and youtuber Andrew Millison has spent the past 12 years turning a grassy yard into a high-yielding microfarm with more than enough produce, eggs and honey to feed his family.
Every corner of his front, back, and side yard is covered with fruits, vegetables, cover crops, bee hives, chicken coops, grey water treatment plants, and even a bamboo forest that supplies garden fencing.
He intentionally planted fruit all along the perimeter of his corner lot to feed the neighborhood, as well as plenty of native flowers to encourage pollinators.
Millison, who teaches online permaculture courses at Oregon State, turned an old shed on the property into his home office so he can now take breaks to tend his garden while working:
“For me, it's the perfect relationship between work and garden because I'll be sitting here and I'll think the chickens are being really loud, and I’ll go and see they're out of food or I'll hear the humming of the bees and suddenly be like ‘oh my god my bees are swarming.’ I feel like my work and play relationship is very nice.”
Andrew Millison
/ amillison
www.andrewmill...
permaculturedesign.oregonstate.edu
On *faircompanies: faircompanies....

[@monicacruz4407]

Andrew Millison is a real inspiration, I feel like I’m one of his students from watching his many videos on water management. Slow it, spread it, sink it. A great teacher, not surprised he wants to feed the neighborhood as they walk by, great generosity of spirit. Thank you for making another great film 🙏

[@agonov1]

I agree, I’m subscribed to his water channel, too. So inspiring and hope spreading!

[@asktheanimals]

I'm subbed to him too. I watched this video & looked at the comments before reading the specifics. No wonder his place is so fantastic!

[@catzbarking]

I LOVE this man! Such Good Vibes ~

[@tgsoon2002]

Ah yes. that why his voice sound so familiar but I can't remember.

[@messinalyle4030]

Yeah, that's really nice of him to let all those school children snack on his produce as they pass by.

[@newfiescreech7328]

People like this should be empowered and employed for community design and urban development. My first time seeing this degree of thoughtfulness, I plan on bingeing his videos!

[@theCosmicQueen]

well at least he teaches a permaculture class at the university. spreading the knowledge.

[@ray_5_1992]

actually he's been around the world sharing his knowledge

[@keithboone4800]

This is how every yard should look

[@keithbarker7552]

I agree only one hundred percent.our lives would be fuller and our worries less. lift s the spirit to see such energised people.

[@Adnancorner]

Imagine if 25% of household in every country in the world start doing this, there would never be any waste or food shortage. Furthermore the house will be higher couple of meters than the road level as the soil building happen constantly.

[@RVBadlands2015]

Too much vegetation cancel,s your fire ins.

[@sneat2028]

I strongly disagree, there is far too much overgrowth. No separation.

[@theCosmicQueen]

@@sneat2028 lol separation is often part of the problem. this is all very scientific, find out about it.

[@smueller12244]

This guy Andrew is a water LEGEND. Can't recommend his youtube channel enough, really follows the ways of permaculture well IMO. He draws magic when it comes to explaining natural systems design.

[@PNWGardener]

Agreed! He's an inspiration!

[@theself-helpconnection3731]

What is he's KZbin channel?

[@-Never-bored]

Yes Andrew is the best .. I got my permaculture qualifications because I was inspire by his work

[@busygirl2681]

@@theself-helpconnection3731 His You Tube link is in the description.

[@cholst1]

His India series is absolutely amazing!

[@rosemarymcbride3419]

He's a great educator! I binged all of his videos when I was feeling especially world weary earlier this summer and they helped me feel not so dour and also hopeful for the future

[@francescapoteet5481]

This is why I follow so many gardening pages. It does me so much emotional good as well as learning things I can incorporate into my little slice of ground..

[@Macknull]

Exact same!!!

[@devoney7114]

Wow imagine what the world would look like if everybody did this on their property

[@MBMCincy63]

Truly a great little ecosystem of selfless labor for extreme rewards: peaceful, food, protection of chickens and bees+ native pollinators. 12 years of hard ( a hobby) work/management. Plus solar on the roof, water catchment, self contained compost. Thank you for the video, Kirsten.

[@benvoliothefirst]

"I want to feed all the neighborhood kids." IF ONLY I WEREN'T STRAIGHT, lol

[@karenubungen3501]

He is also a generous one sharing his fruit trees to the people 😀👍I wish I can do what he does..taking care of a garden and plants by himself is real talent.

[@cyndyfabian7555]

Hi, Grannie Cyndy from South Australia here. 70yo. So interesting to hear you speak of the abundance for children to experience. I grew up on a small dairy farm where abundant blackberries grew, along with hazelnuts, apples, plums and quinces. I know exactly what you are referring to. We had that sense. It creates a longing to recreate it. For 10 years now, I have been converting my 1/3 acre suburban lot into just your type of food forest garden... along with a bit of Mediterranean whimsy. Congratulations on your great work and attitude. Newly subscribed. Love your content.

[@abkl1]

wishing you luck on your journey of developing your garden, your quick description makes it sound super beautiful!

[@cyndyfabian7555]

@@abkl1 Thanks Abigail. 🍒🍐🍎🥝

[@kaybee6050]

Hi Cyndy - I'm in South Australia as well (Southern Flinders Ranges) and am keen to do something similar with the house I'm moving to. Have you found any SA specific information/sites that are useful? A lot of info is either from overseas or eastern states.

[@shannonblack5828]

Heck Yes Granny Cyndy.. I’m loving all this content of green thumbs food growers bee loving chicken keepers...

[@MartinaSchoppe]

@@kaybee6050 there is Linda from Huttons Valley Permaculture in Victoria - might that be similiar enough? I really love her youtube channel!

[@13ccasto]

Millison's KZbin channel also happens to be one of the best permaculture/ farming channels around

[@End3rWi99in]

This guy is out there transforming one small corner of a neighborhood block into something out of Willy Wonka if all his snacks were natural and organic. I absolutely love what he's contributing to his community, while just making something really cool at the same time.

[@Justus11167]

I took the Oregon state university permaculture class. He is so fun to learn from. All the instructors are great but he is just so full of knowledge.

[@moonlightknight3342]

The crossover we definitely needed. I've watched Millison's video on water capture and treatment probably a dozen times

[@miangelsai]

Beautiful yard very much alive , full of plants , oxigen , food and beauty ... What else can we ask for?

[@kimberlystone3987]

There should be more people like him…. It would be a better world. Thank you for sharing…..

[@shannonblack5828]

Andrew Millison - You are the Freakin Bomb Digity Human... Loving Your Beautiful Creation of Paradise !!!!! Keep on Keeping On

[@cherylcarlson3315]

Agree with him on sharing food with public. Joy of kid eating cherry or tomato hot off the vine kept me going along time. Kids are gone, hope memory sticks

[@lollycardoza9114]

Thank you for introducing me to Andrew and his channel. He's just the person I need to learn from, I've been permaculturing my yard without knowing it for the last 8 years. I currently rent but will soon buy and this is just what I want to do with any yard I'll have. Thank you

[@MartinaSchoppe]

I love Andrews Channel, too. If you don't know already, check out the channel of edible acres, you might like that one, too. 🙂

[@SS-wz8po]

Everywhere you look is fresh healthy foods. He is not just saving his own money, but also saves the US health care budget deficit… I mean look how fits he looks and the lifestyle he choses. Awesome! ♥️♥️♥️ Thank you, Kirsten for bringing this great video to us. 🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@lolap3667]

This brought me to tears (happy). This reminds me of my grandmother's yard, and I absolutely love it💜

[@CairnOfDunnCroftPermaculture]

Still one of my favourite permaculture videos. I keep coming back to it whenever I need motivating.

[@nickthomas6206]

Ditto! your rocket mass heater review video is amazing, thanks! btw paul wheaton said its the best RMH video he's yet seen youtube

[@CairnOfDunnCroftPermaculture]

@@nickthomas6206 thanks! But I believe he said that about a different video, of a rmh build on a back porch. And he's right too, it's an excellent video. However, Wheaton did refer to me as delightful. I'll take it.

[@mistinthemoutain3904]

This is wonderful. Totally my goal to create a beautiful, abundant,habitat for humans, critters and plants. Love the spirit of giving, 🙏💕🙏 Everyone on Earth needs to think this way . 💕🙏💕

[@theCosmicQueen]

get enough big food forests going , and it will sure help. there are some public ones in cities. Done by groups and volunteers. Starting to catch on.

[@Strylover]

Fantastic. I am always amazed by people like this. The intense knowledge, the skills, the creativity that he possesses....wonderful. At first, with my initial view of the property, I was thinking that it was too crowded, too full, too many trees. But as he walked through the site and explained and pointed out and showed how everything had a purpose and worked interconnectedly, I was entranced. Our world needs for more of us to be like him. Thanks for another very inspirational video.

[@cristiaolson7327]

Him talking about the kids grazing on his property line reminded me of my old house. I had passionfruit, green beans and blackberries planted on my fence as a privacy screen, and a peach tree that had half its canopy hanging over the fence line. The neighbor kids would browse most of the things they could reach, but they ate gobs of peaches (with my blessing and encouragement). One day, one little girl who's older brother were friends with my son came up while I was gardening and asked if she could take some home. She wound up taking about a dozen in the pulled out hem of her shirt. An hour later she came back for more, as she had already eaten the whole lot. Lol. They were a really sweet variety of peach, and easy to go crazy on, but I sure hope she didn't wind up with a bellyache after so many in one setting. Two other neighbor girls who also sometimes played with my child discovered the chocolate mint and stevia plants and took to making leaf sandwiches from them (stacking the mint and stevia leaves, and just eating them). They nearly denuded my plants, so I eventually gave their grandma (a fellow gardener that lived on the same street) some cuttings so they would ease up on the ones in my yard.

[@justmaria5806]

Healthy abundance within suburban reach. Nothing better than eating what you have grown.

[@radicalaccounting]

Dude, a jar of honey like that costs $50. I buy the half size $25 ones all the time. I would envy you but I know what it takes to do what you do, so I admire you. Inspiring!

[@theuglykwan]

holy crap... i guess i can only afford corn syrup

[@seannefortier5916]

I ♥️ this idea. Beautiful vision manifested ♥️

[@paulas_lens]

Thank you for sharing the wise ones, that can teach us all. It is inspiring to think of what all I could do with my cookie-cutter house on my 1/5th of an acre lot.

[@Napsteraspx]

That's phenomenal, only a 3rd of an acre! Talk about having an abundance mindset!

[@caca1000you]

This man is so wholesome !! I love it !!

[@bharatpremi5885]

HEAVENLY HOME! Smartest Homeowner with lots of thought process for their Healthy life through PEACE... Health is wealth!

[@jackieperkins8514]

I love this guy's generosity! I live in the city and if I'm walking on the sidewalk and someone's fruit tree has fruit hanging over their fence, I consider it fair game. :) Some homeowners have a problem with that. Not this guy. I'm currently learning about wild edibles and how abundant they are. God has provided so much food on this planet.

[@llss3319]

I love what he said, he is a horticulturalist, loving all plants. My friend looks at my garden and says, it's not really neat, but a 'must-own' plant garden. I love mixing food plants, beautiful flower plants and succulents.

[@graceaxisa4213]

Yes! You don't need a large scale farm to produce food and resources! The way in which Andrew has built up the depth of his soil is just brilliant. All that organic matter, keeping the soil moist and fertile, is one of the greatest gifts he can provide. Such an inspiration!

[@maryeliason1504]

Love the living fence & arbor gate. So much better than just lawn. Would love to see more people doing this. 🥰

[@liberatedlioness6478]

Beautiful example of how one can be self sufficient and provide for the community 🙏🏿

[@808BizStuff]

❤️ seeing humans being builders & caretakers... instead of selfish destroyers.

[@theCosmicQueen]

the planet is full of these people. get out more.

[@SCArtandGrafts]

He lives what he preaches. Awesome guy.

[@barbarajuneelderphelps2390]

I love the great example Andrew, you set for all of us. Thank you with all my heart.

[@sparkysmalarkey]

I'm jealous of this one. Thank you so much for the content. 😍🤩

[@josephinebrevig8748]

A giant snack track for kids…nothing ultra processed …organic food and natural medicine ….what a blessing this man is to his community. Incredible. Inspirational. Anything is possible in Suburbia ….accessible living for the masses and refreshing to see….wow ❤❤

[@1Lightdancer]

Such a great urban oasis! We lived in Corvallis for 10 years in the 70s, and watched more and more gardens appearing over the years. We had chickens and so lovely gardens - fun to see the mix with native plants and exotics! We are so fortunate with the abundant land and climate here in Oregon - thank you for your work spotlighting Andrew and his home!

[@GodEmperorSuperStar]

On average, there are 159 sunny days per year in Corvallis. (The US average is 205 sunny days.) Average Wind: About 5 mph, depending on time of year (high winds are rare). Average Rainfall: About 51 inches of rain per year, most of which happens between November and March. Elevation 235′, mountains to the west of the area. Leveled flat like most of suburbia. Pretty good place for a garden. His opinion about bamboo made me do some research (fact checking) and I found that there is one species of bamboo that is native to the US but not on the west coast.

[@Adnancorner]

This should be the way to go. I love andrew and his views with so many amazing ideas. Lovely person with lovely place. Truly a small yet sufficient piece of wonderland. I would be satisfied to have this type of growing system. Maybe a double this size if I am ONLY farming and selling vegetables and produce.

[@kwhatten]

Check out the Dervaes family.

[@Nerd3927]

Normally not my thing but totally captivating! What a passion!

[@HayleyHewland]

Definitely one of best Permaculture channels around🌱🌳🌼💖

[@jayneweaver8695]

I LOVE this man, amazing attitude to put food on the sidewalk for the school kids and neighbors to eat and enjoy. So lush and so clever, every single inch of it is planned, abundant and the recycling of windows, table tops for the greenhouse, he is absolutely brilliant. I'm a girly girl and I could not stop watching. Thank you SO much, magic. :O)

[@theweatherisaokay4964]

Can understand how exited he's explaining his beautiful garden, so much to say, so much to see, been planting a small garden before and really missed the pleasure of picking my own vegetables to the kitchen. Great sharing.

[@1wholovestrees]

It’s not only a contribution to world peace, it’s also a contribution to Mother Earth who is smiling that you have taken an interest in Her. Cattail flour is wonderful to use.

[@agonov1]

This is the kind of hero I admire!

[@lspthrattan]

The best thing about the garden is the plantings that are intended for passers-by to browse; what a neighborly thing to do!

[@theCosmicQueen]

it's just the border of his yard that overhangs the city sidewalk. making it legally free to pick. that fruit is polluted if there's much traffic. but it's cool yeah.

[@gerry343]

Love his grapes and berries available for passers by.

[@eamonncuerden-conboy6621]

Before I watch this, I know this is going to be packed with amazingness and learning because Kristen and Andrew are absolute legends. I have been following both of you for months now and I can't get enough of your content. Videos are always very well thought out and the amount of effort you put into the providing extremely useful information through the lens of the people on the ground in incredible. Its definitely provided inspiration and direction to my future endeavours as a struggling student. I'm super happy that you guys have finally crossed paths! This is definitely a Permaculture Special for the books!

[@ruanddu]

Totally agree!

[@rumichacajoy]

Just today I discovered, and subscribed, to Andrew! His wanting the children to feel there is an abundance of food surrounding them goes along with my ideals.

[@vegahunter8]

Andrew is a wonderful educator. Great to see this project featured.

[@johnsader8811]

Nice video, nice yard/garden. Cross fencing makes for lots of options.

[@mosimosi630]

This guy is such a fun person if he’s a professor his classes are probably fun but this was so good to watch this is how we should all live big pharma will go bankrupt

[@firstmate015]

Jackpot Video. Loved every minute of it. I'm headed into my yard to start a square foot garden. What an inspiration that was Kirsten. Thank you so much for that "Food for Life" video.

[@JessicaJLandi]

Oh my goodness I laughed when, after over 7 full minutes of a mind-blowing tour showing thick, lush, phenomenally fruitful food-producing trees, vines, bushes, and plants...he then says: "...okay, now we're moving into more of my production area..." SO CLASSIC!

[@pattin4015]

His enthusiasm is contagious. His whole little ecosystem of edible trees and archways, chickens, composting, natives to pollinators and honey-making... all so awe inspiring. BTW your son is so cute! Loved this video!

[@TravisJ-je6ub]

This is titled "Aced permaculture in AZ desert". Corvalis OR is a long way from the Arizona desert.

[@lisalee9695]

So awesome, thank you for sharing once you said anyone walking through there can eat my heart went out to you

[@caroline6057]

Love the greenhouse and loo! What a great yard. Keep these permaculture yards coming please!

[@MBMCincy63]

Totally second that request! 👍

[@ruanddu]

agree!

[@theloveyourfacegal2773]

Like the tips about bamboo my dad has a patch growing at his home we are in Texas so yeah it doesn't spread much but with your advice I would love to grow some now that I know it's easily controllable:), pretty garden/ home tour

[@DGibsonxio]

Here in Arkansas it spreads! To the point out is a problem.

[@a.l.a.7847]

What a wonderful vision of "abundance and deliciousness in the world"

[@ItsJuandaWoo]

Wow!! How cool of him to provide a "snack track" super awesome human!!!

[@surfgrunge1971]

This dude is my favorite permaculturist

[@Michael_McMillan]

I like these types of videos!

[@sgrvtl7183]

I like that he uses the chickens fur scratching up the ground and their poop as fertilizer. I love his theory of food forest. 1/3 acre is good size, he has done well with it.

[@cdgggg]

I had a fruit road on my road while coming back to school. Plums, apricot, grapes, figs etc, I still miss that road it was amazing

[@HelenaMikas]

Wonderful but would have loved to know where the wonderful vocal Canada geese were :) An amazing , man , self sufficient and so knowledgeable ..A joy to listen to :)

[@theCosmicQueen]

the geese fly through on their way south or north every year. stop at the riversides.

[@santisanti8386]

Kirsten, you made the best job for yourself, every show of yours is just amazing!

[@alexandraderry7086]

Absolutely amazing! I love the magic here for living in a permaculture paradise. It’s my dream to have something like this, you are an inspiration. Small scale urban homesteading at it’s finest.

[@TallulahBelle3276]

This place is incredible! Thank you for sharing it with us! 💝🌎💝

[@ShraddhaRao11235813]

This is a masterclass! Absolutely amazing to see his passion for sharing his knowledge. You can also see how much fun he has doing these things and that's amazing to watch! ❤️

[@createallow3126]

This is my neighborhood! So inspiring.

[@tracy419]

Yep, I watched his videos for years before seeing this and saying I know that house, I see it all the time😄 Very cool to know he's practically a neighbor.

[@christophernoto]

I love it! A collab between two of my favorite people! Thank you both!

[@TrinaMCay]

Wow!!!! You are so generous/ kind soul! You built a snack lane for free for everyone in the area!!!! First time i hear that😊😎😎❤️❤️❤️

[@annalynn9325]

Fantastic yard and he’s so humble 😂

[@jagaimo2]

This is gold! If the Internet were to altogether dissapear one day and I had to choose a few KZbin videos to keep in my Noah's Ark of sorts, this would be it. I love Andrew's, Nicolás' and your content, so what a great intersection! What a fun, inspiring and insightful video. M'encanteu! Moltes gràcies :)

[@julianachandler2975]

I love this kind of place. Unfortunately, a lot of towns zone against many of these ideas. Typically, they require you to have acres of land to even have chickens. Buildings like greenhouses have to be far from your neighbors property line. If anyone is planing on buying a small property like this to develop in a similar fashion, read the zoning laws carefully. Some towns don’t even allow vegetable plants in the front yard.

[@lyleseaman4414]

Yeah, and most of them are pretty picky about your sewage disposal.

[@sammorales3528]

So good! Andrew is a great ambassador of permaculture! I enjoy watching his content. Great job Andrew! Great documentary of this property as well! 🤘🏽

[@oxennguyen3148]

This man pull the world by its tail 😂. He’s is my mentor. Love the most relaxing yard ever🎉.

[@mjohanson1281]

Thankyou for all your other vids Andrew. This is the best one. Permaculture is about home. Thanks for sharing your home

[@karengiorella2690]

We had a wonderful pear tree in my childhood front yard so productive the tips of the many branches would touch the ground. The children would grab some on the way home from school. A man grew grapes over his fence on the same street. He had no problem sharing. All this abundance from the original 300 year old farm land, made into a small jersey shore town. Just so wholesome. Ty for sharing your knowledge and philosophy in this informative video. ✌️

[@rhondashotwell7358]

Just thinking about another YT channel I've subscribed to is Bealtaine Cottage, and the permaculture that Colette O'Neill has created is so beautiful. I'd love to see you do a video of her place, if you haven't already!

[@jh4675]

Yes, love Bealtaine Cottage as well.

[@TheHonestPeanut]

That coop is on point. I just built something like that. Same idea too; 3 doors to pens for different times of the year to prep for gardens. This is my first year not running them in chicken tractors and I love it.

[@The1Elcil]

Two of my favorite tubes come together. Thanks internet.

[@Devibaba]

Thanks for sharing. It's inspiring to see what can be done even on small acreage. Many thanks.

[@2Sugarbears]

Wonderful. Just wonderful.

[@pompom7x728]

Thank you 🌺🇫🇷🇨🇭

[@teriscallon]

this inspires me to continue my garden, which I often describe as messy but I know what everything is

[@andreaandrea6716]

Corvallis!! My father taught at OSU for years (60s, 70s, 80s) and I used to visit .... I remember wandering the fabulously flat, leafy streets of the this rural town, the perfect town to grow up in (I did not) ... and I specifically remember the hazelnut trees!! I marveled at the fact that, right there on the street HAZELNUTS WERE GROWING! What a wonder! Now, here again, FOOD IS BEING GROWN 'on the street', as it should be! YES! World Peace begins at home: Right HERE, right NOW. And he understands this perfectly. Blessings to this young man and his family. Thank you, Kirsten, for bring the World to us!

[@1_step_up]

What a thoughtful kind human being, i hope more home owners are inspired to grow food instead of grass

[@seancosgrove1456]

Thanks for your excellent work in profiling Andrew Millson a Permaculture teacher and leader who is a must follow. His video on the Oregon Beavers brings the water work home to all. Thanks to Reg Whiten at Interrra Planning in the Peace River of BC for bringing him to my attention.

[@Michelessex]

Great video, great guy......can it be that you guys are getting better and better at this? Bravo! another joyful enlightened human being to share.....what a treat! Thank you, Michel Pariseau

[@DivineSublime22]

This guy goes on about his garden like I do. Love it.

[@mars54mars54]

I love Andrew, he totally rocks as a teacher and a permaculturist. He is truly inspiring.

[@stevemiller7949]

I have gardened a long so Iam biased. Where would the world be without dedicated organic gardeners and tree people and organic farmers? Increasingly these people will play a huge role in saving the planet.🙂🙂❤️

[@ecotechnica5975]

Andrew is an international treasure

[@LQOTW]

I love the idea of creating a growing walkway full of snacks!