When she first moved to the United States after living in central Asia, Irina Bertini found herself unhappy with the prevalence of processed foods and the lack of recycled and reused resources. Together with her husband, James, she decided to join with local artisans in the hope of spreading her twin passions for quality foods and self-sufficiency. They are now part of Denver Urban Homesteading, a limited liability company that shares its DIY expertise with students through classes in topics such as beekeeping, chicken raising, homebrewing, and furniture restoration. They also host regular chicken swaps where like-minded omnivores can buy and sell livestock and supplies such as organic feed and chicken waterers.