ABOUT JUDE HOBBS
Jude is an internationally recognized permaculturist with 35 years’ experience in the design and teaching fields. She utilizes whole-system design techniques providing environmentally sound solutions in urban and rural settings which promotes sustainable actions.
Through her business, Ago-Ecology Northwest, Jude specializes in encouraging farm management practices for optimizing resource conservation, biodiversity, watershed enhancement and income diversification.
As an educator she conveys her passion for permaculture by providing curricula developed to encompass diverse learning styles with teaching techniques that are accessible, inspiring and information rich. Her courses offer a safe place for learning, the strategies to understand whole systems design and the confidence to get out there to do awesome work via a tool kit for action.
Jude’s intention is to empower people to creatively change their everyday patterns so as to care for the earth and each other.
As a co-founder of the Permaculture Institute of North America (PINA) and Cascadia Permaculture Institute (CPI) she actively supports the next generation of permaculturists through continuing education and professional development.
Professional Services
Jude operates two businesses–Agro-Ecology Northwest and Cascadia Permaculture– offering services to agricultural businesses, individual land-owners and Permaculture students.
Agro-Ecology Northwest is a land use consulting business providing environmental design solutions for landowners. In her work with farmers, Jude specializes in encouraging income diversification and promoting best management practices that optimize resource conservation, watershed enhancement, varied plant selection and biodiversity. Jude also works with the non-profit organization, Salmon-Safe, doing site assessments. Her experience working on farms and ranches allows her an understanding of the challenges and economic realities that farmers face.
Jude at Permaculture Gathering
Jude’s work with urban-based landowners specializes in soil building, chickens and rabbits, water harvesting, and selecting the right plant for the right place.
Cascadia Permaculture is the teaching aspect of her work. She teaches at private venues and universities providing training’s that range from one day to three weeks where the focus is on the principles and system practices of Permaculture design. Jude also offers Advanced Permaculture Teacher Training courses.
The Permaculture Institute of North America and Cascadia Permaculture Institute are professional development organizations focused on creating a standard platform for Permaculture Design Course (PDC) certification and mentoring systems to assist PDC graduates in their journey toward professional practice.
Research and Writing
Jude has special expertise on biodiversity and hedgerows and is the author of A Guide to Multi-Functional Hedgerows, an Oregon State University Extension Service publication. She is working on the long awaited book with the same title.
Community Involvement
Jude is actively involved in local efforts to promote sustainability. She is currently on the board of Aprovecho Sustainability Education Center and the Advisory Board of the Permaculture Institute of North America.
Wilson Creek Gardens
Jude co-tends Wilson Creek Gardens a 7.5-acre Permaculture demonstration site in Cottage Grove, Oregon where there are abundant micro-climates from which to learn.
The site enhancement includes: forest gardens, orchards, creek restoration, water catchments, forestry, natural building, chickens and multiple other projects from which to learn.