Rakesh Rootsman Rak

Rakesh Rootsman Rak believes, “True sustainability begins with self-empowerment and community resilience.” A permaculture designer, teacher, forest gardener, and conscious reggae DJ, Rakesh has taught over 700 courses since 2009, working across diverse climates, cultures, and communities. Forest gardening is central to his practice—offering abundant, low-maintenance food systems that nurture both people and planet.

With ancestral roots in Indian traditions of living harmoniously with nature, Rakesh draws on intergenerational wisdom to guide his teaching. As a non-white voice in a field often dominated by Western perspectives, he brings a critically needed diversity of insight and experience. His dyslexia has helped him think outside conventional frameworks, fuelling a creative and intuitive teaching style that challenges norms and empowers learners.

Rakesh supports eco-villages and communities in developing strong, inclusive governance systems—resolving conflict through tools like sociocracy, deep listening, and group coherence practices. His hands-on innovations include biochar cook stoves and pedal-powered sound systems, showing how renewable, grassroots technology can meet real needs with joy and ingenuity.

Co-founder of Children and Youth in Permaculture, Rakesh inspires the next generation to live regeneratively. Whether planting food forests or spinning uplifting reggae, he’s cultivating a flourishing future for all life—human, insect, and earth alike.