We recently connected with Rakiia Butler and have shared our conversation below.

Rakiia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

My mother inspired my gardening journey over a decade ago. To be honest I wasn’t always fascinated with growing. As a young teenager at the time, being outside in the heat with the bugs wasn’t appealing. However, seeing the way my mom lit up every time she was out there tending to the plants made me give growing a second chance. As i’ve gotten older my passion for growing has deeply rooted itself in my heart. Over time, I immersed myself in books, online resources, and hands-on learning to increase my knowledge in the growing community. My curiosity led me to pursue 2 farmer apprenticeships, which deepened my understanding of sustainable agriculture and holistic gardening practices. Alongside this, my interest in holistic health grew naturally, as I saw the connection between the food we grow and our overall well-being. Workshops, community garden involvement, and conversations with seasoned growers have been invaluable.

If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self to find a mentor sooner. I spent a lot of time figuring things out through trial and error, but having guidance from someone with experience could have saved me so much time and frustration. I wish I’d joined local gardening and wellness groups earlier—being around like-minded people who share their tips and wisdom is priceless. I also would have carved out more time for courses on soil health, permaculture, and plant-based nutrition. Each of these has been so transformative in my journey, and diving into them sooner would have given me a stronger foundation right from the start.

Patience and observation have been my greatest allies in both gardening and holistic health. I’ve learned that plants, as well as people thrive at their own pace, and trying to rush the process only leads to frustration. Over the years, I’ve also discovered the power of sustainability and making the most of what I have. Whether it’s repurposing containers for planters, composting kitchen scraps, or finding creative solutions to tackle challenges like pests or poor soil, working with what’s available has taught me resilience and resourcefulness. Problem solving has become second nature when things don’t go as planned, and I’ve found joy in figuring out solutions that align with nature rather than working against it.

Access to resources was a challenge at first. Early on, I didn’t have much space to experiment with gardening, which limited the variety I could grow. Financial constraints sometimes made it hard to invest in better tools or attend specialized courses. Additionally, balancing gardening with other responsibilities meant learning was often slow. However, these obstacles taught me to be resourceful, creative, and adaptive. Above all, my curiosity has been my compass. I’m constantly fascinated by the science of growth and how small changes can make a big difference. Everything in the garden is interconnected. This journey isn’t just about growing plants, it’s about growing myself.

Rakiia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My gardening journey began over a decade ago, inspired by my mother. At first, I wasn’t captivated by the idea of growing. As a young teenager, the heat and bugs didn’t appeal to me, but seeing how much joy gardening brought my mom made me give it another try. Watching her light up as she tended to her plants was contagious. My mom also went to school for culinary nutrition, and through her, I became well-versed in a healthier lifestyle, which planted the seed for my own journey into holistic health. When I’m out in the garden, I feel like my best self. There’s something euphoric about feeling so connected to the earth. That passion for growing eventually led me to pivot careers. I realized I didn’t just want to garden for myself, I wanted to share the magic of it with others. This is what birthed the PangeaGardenCollective.

I specialize in helping people grow their own food, no matter their space or experience. My focus is on backyard, container, and greenhouse gardening. I offer physical and digital garden consultations, as well as garden installations, to make it easy for people to get started. For my community, I create free guides to encourage them on their gardening journey. I also host workshops and planting parties, like “Alchemy in the Garden,” where I collaborated with a local creative specializing in arts and crafts. My work is for everyone from young adults exploring healthier lifestyles, to elders who think they might not have the time, space, or skills to start a garden. My goal is to show them that anyone can grow from anywhere. You don’t need a “green thumb” to grow, you just need a little guidance and encouragement.

What makes my approach unique is how I combine gardening with personal growth. I use the grounding and reflective nature of gardening to help people not only grow their own food but also grow as individuals. Gardening has a way of teaching patience, appreciation for nature, and a deeper connection to the world around us. My mission is to help people reconnect with their roots, both literally and figuratively. The heart of my work is to empower others to understand that growing food is for everyone, no matter where they are. I want to inspire people to live harmoniously with nature and embrace the joy of cultivating their own food. It’s not just about gardening; it’s about creating a more sustainable, connected way of living.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The core of my journey is to make gardening accessible to everyone, no matter their experience, space, or resources. I’m passionate about breaking down the barriers that keep people from starting their own gardens, whether it’s the belief that they don’t have a green thumb or the misconception that gardening requires a large yard. My mission is to remind people that anyone can grow from anywhere and to help them discover the joy and empowerment that come with it.

Ultimately, I hope my work inspires people to not only grow food but also grow themselves and to find peace, purpose, and connection in the process. This is what fuels my creative journey and drives me to keep expanding my reach in the gardening and holistic health communities.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that perfection is the goal. When I first started gardening, I believed everything had to look a certain way or follow strict rules for it to be right. I learned to embrace the unpredictability of gardening. Plants, like people, grow in their own way and at their own pace. Not every seed will sprout, and not every season will be a success, but there’s value in the process itself. Letting go of perfection allowed me to focus on progress and creativity instead. This shift in mindset also helped me appreciate the resilience and adaptability that comes with working alongside nature rather than trying to control it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pangeagardencollective.com
• Instagram: reallyraay & pangeagardencollective
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@reallyraay?si=m62GdWfR-9tIg2ng