Co-Founder of Alegria Village, Punta Mona, Envision Festival & Ecoversity 

Stephen Brooks has been living for the past 25 years in Costa Rica and is a world leader in creating thriving ecological communities, promoting permaculture practices, and fostering sustainable food production models. He is the co-founder of Ecoversity and Punta Mona Center for Regenerative Design & Botanical Studies. In 2006, Stephen co-founded and developed La Ecovilla, a 45 home community in San Mateo, Costa Rica. His most recent addition is Alegria Village, which neighbors La Ecovilla.

Co-Founder of Regenerative Design Institute

Penny has been teaching internationally and working professionally in the land management, regenerative design and permaculture development fields for 30 years and has extensive experience in all phases of ecological design and construction using natural non-toxic building materials. She is a co-founder of the Regenerative Design Institute. She is also a certified instructor from the Permaculture Institute of North America and Permaculture Institute USA.

Indigenous Water Rights Activist & Cultural Preservation Leader

Carmen has worked in the Environmental Science field for over 20 years serving Tribes and rural communities. She is an environmental specialist, water maiden, permaculture designer, and poet who has been dedicated to helping communities heal through reconnecting to nature.

Freestyle Artist, Permaculture Educator, and Steward of Regenerative Communities

Michael has been growing his relationship with food & community for almost 20 years since the documentary Food Inc. first opened his eyes to evils of industrial agriculture.  He jumped in to the “Food Revolution” with his first job out of college as the community relations coordinator for Earth Fare in Knoxville. 

In 2011, he moved to Asheville to help launch a fledgling kombucha brewery called Buchi. Michael spent almost 7 years on the road promoting fermented foods up & down the coast, while living with the founding Buchi team at Herb Mountain Farm. There, he got a sense for what was possible through the power of community. 

With the help of friends & Buchi co-owners, he was able to purchase the Hawk & Hawthorne (then Hawk & Ivy). He & the Hawkthorne community have been working diligently over the past 8 years to renovate, upgrade & steward the land into a much-needed gathering space & outlet for hands-on permaculture education. 

He also enjoys freestyle, hip hop & horses.

Permaculture Design Certification Program Coordinator

Growing up on his grandparents' farm in Uruguay, Allan developed a deep connection to the land, where he spent his days working with cows, sheep, and horses—often from the back of a horse. Now based in San José, Costa Rica, he shares his life with his wife, three children, their dog, and a lively food forest that embodies his love for permaculture.

Passionate about permaculture design and education, Allan works closely with local youth and the broader community, both in-person and online. He believes permaculture offers a vital toolkit for living in harmony with nature, creating a more fulfilling, connected, and resilient life for all.

Regenerative Designer, Farmer, Author, Herbalist, Nordic Folk Tradition Practitioner

Founder and owner of Permaculture Artisans, a renowned certified permaculture designer and teacher. Erik runs the Permaculture Skills Center, a learning center in Sebastopol, CA. With extensive experience in projects that range from small urban lots to 100+ broad-acre design and implementation, his more than two decades of experience, observation, and listening of landscape patterns, managing installation crews and design teams, and his understanding of ecology make Erik a leader in the field of ecological landscape development.

Physician & Environmental Health Advocate

Zach Bush, MD is a physician specializing in internal medicine, endocrinology and hospice care. He is an internationally recognized educator and thought leader on the microbiome as it relates to health, disease, and food systems. Zach Bush, MD founded *Seraphic Group and the non-profit Farmer’s Footprint to develop root-cause solutions for human and ecological health.

His passion for education reaches across many disciplines, including topics such as the role of soil and water ecosystems in human genomics, immunity, and gut/brain health. His education has highlighted the need for a radical departure from chemical farming and pharmacy, and his ongoing efforts are providing a path for consumers, farmers, and mega-industries to work together for a healthy future for people and planet.

His work in for-profit and nonprofit arenas is creating avenues for collaborative action for all stakeholders in our global community for a regenerative future of health for the planet and our children.

Folk-Rock Artist, Environmental Advocate, and Regenerative Musician

Matthew Human is a folk-rock artist and environmental activist whose music is deeply rooted in connection with nature and community. With over two decades of experience as a touring musician, Human is known for his heart-centered performances that combine uplifting messages with organic, earth-inspired rhythms. His unique blend of folk-rock, reggae, and conscious lyrics aims to inspire positive change and cultivate a deeper relationship with the Earth.

In addition to his music career, Matthew Human is a passionate advocate for sustainability, permaculture, and regenerative practices. He has performed at countless environmental and social justice events, bringing awareness to causes like organic farming, clean food, and holistic living. His journey as a musician and activist has led him to create experiences that not only entertain but also ground participants in their connection to nature and community.