The Designers
Michelle Czolba and Juliette Jones began working together with the design and planting of the Hazelwood Food Forest in 2009. Since then they have been working to share their passion and knowledge of sustainability and plants through edible landscape designs and educational opportunities offered by Pittsburgh Permaculture.
Juliette Jones, M.S., M.Ed, has always had a passion for nature, art and teaching. Her work with Pittsburgh Permacultrue allows her to combine all three as she designs natural spaces, plays in the dirt and shares her knowledge via workshops, speaking engagements and classes.
She studied sustainable agriculture and permaculture design at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. She completed a permaculture apprenticeship at the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute and has worked with and learned from permaculture experts, Dave Jacke and Darrell Frey, teaching courses on Edible Forest Gardening and Permaculture Design. She is currently teaching Growing Sustainably Lab for Chatham University’s Food Studies program. Notable design experience includes, design and installation of Pittsburgh’s first food forest in Hazelwood, demonstration gardens for Phipps Conservatory and an edible garden for the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh along with many residential designs.
Michelle Czolba, M.S., came into the study of permaculture while pursuing her Master of Science in Sustainable Systems at Slippery Rock University. Permaculture made so much sense that she sought to study it further by obtaining a Permaculture Design Certification under the tutelage of Christine Glenn and Darrell Frey. After graduation, Michelle and partner Juliette Jones began the Hazelwood Food Forest to implement permaculture theory, have a living laboratory and demonstrate a creative reuse of vacant lots. Some design projects Michelle has led include the Borland Green garden and various residential designs.
In addition to being a permaculturist, Michelle is the owner of Violet Herbs as an herbalist and herbal medicine and skin care creator. Through intensive self-directed and formal study, Michelle’s scope of experience encompasses plant identification, botany, ecology, chemistry, metaphysics, Earth-based spirituality and natural cosmetics. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science with a Minor in Chemistry.
To learn more about Permaculture, read this post: What is Permaculture?