This week we said goodbye to one of the founders of the Hazelwood Food Forest, Juliette Jones, and as someone who was greatly influenced by her time in Pittsburgh, I feel that it is important to reflect on her contributions to the city.
Pittsburgh Permaculture, which is a design business started by Juliette and her business partner Michelle Czolba, has led to the installation of many permaculture designs in the Pittsburgh area. I had the opportunity to work with both Michelle and Juliette on different projects, and it was amazing to watch them turn lifeless lawns into living art pieces. Their efforts have empowered and enabled many homeowners to take full advantage of their land.
Juliette has also co-instructed a Permaculture Design Certification course with Liz Lynch and Darrell Fry through Phipps Conservatory for three years. Through this course they have certified dozens of permaculturists in the Pittsburgh area of all backgrounds. Some young, some older; some new to the field, some looking to deepen their knowledge… In my opinion, the most important effect this course has had is that it has broadened the permaculture sphere of influence exponentially. As each individual who graduates from the course leaves, they start projects or spark conversations that get more and more people talking about this amazing idea, and that is truly inspirational.
Chatham University’s Food Studies Program also took Juliette on as a faculty member, where she ran the Eden Hall Campus farm, taught both academic and hands-on courses, and started a student-run food forest. As a student in the Food Studies Program, I can honestly say that Juliette was a wonderful and necessary addition to our faculty. Learning about and practicing sustainable agriculture is an integral part of our coursework, and Juliette was able to offer a wealth of knowledge on the subject, and her efforts will be long-lasting.
Last but not least, Juliette and Michelle started the Hazelwood Food Forest, Pittsburgh’s first forest garden. This project, which has received very little funding and has been completely volunteer run, has been going strong for four years, has nearly 100 species of plants, and produces food, herbs, and beauty for nearly the entire growing season. It is a very beautiful example of permaculture-in-action that can and has been used for education and learning.
And so it was very appropriate that we said our goodbyes among one of the projects she helped create. The food forest, which is always full of plant life, was also full of people, love, laughter, food, fire-spinning, and music. There were friends, students, activists, parents, kids, neighbors, people from all walks of life there to celebrate what Juliette has done and to look forward to what she will do in the future.
Good luck in Detroit, Juliette! We know you’ll be just as great an asset there as you were here.
- Julia