A Gardener Who Teaches Without Speaking Loud

He’s not someone who talks big. But his quiet consistency, patience, and grounded presence make a lasting impression. He’s the one behind the abundant produce at Pondok Santi, working every day with his colleague Pak Iklil to keep the garden productive for the resort’s kitchen.

And this isn’t a small garden. It’s a fully functioning market garden and agroforestry system that supplies a demanding restaurant crew, growing food in extreme sandy soils with limited groundwater.

Yet, whenever I visit, the garden is tidy. The beds are well-managed. And there’s always something thriving under his care.

Lessons in Consistency

It’s easy to get excited about gardens in the early stages, design them, plant them, take photos. But keeping them alive, productive, and regenerative over time? That’s the real work.

That’s where Pak Rasudin shines. He shows up. He listens. He tends to every bed like it matters, because it does. His work reminds me that regeneration is not just about soil or seeds. It’s also about commitment.

Gardening Barefoot, Living Grounded

One of the things that struck me was his habit of never wearing shoes in the garden. He introduced me to the idea of grounding, the practice of walking barefoot to connect with the earth.

At first, I didn’t think much of it. But when I tried it, I felt the difference. And suddenly, it made sense: maybe this connection is what keeps him healthy, focused, and in tune with the land.

Still Growing, Still Teaching

Even today, Pak Rasudin is out there, cultivating, harvesting, teaching by example. Together with Pak Iklil, he keeps the system running smoothly, showing what true collaboration between people and land can look like.

He’s not just a gardener; he’s a living example of what quiet leadership and daily dedication can build.