Sheil Grandhi

outdoor Educator

Tell us about yourself.

As a child, I grew up surrounded by the cooking of my family and loved showing my grandma when she came to visit where every pot and pan was. This was in part a beginning for me, a journey in exploring South Asian food and herbs. I studied Agroecology at UC Santa Cruz, where I worked as a Lead Steward at the Community Herb Garden. There, I planted Ashwanganda, Gotu Kola, Tulsi, the herbs of my ancestors. After college, I backpacked all over the world and enjoyed teaching kids about plants and the outdoors. I currently work at a heritage seed bank, where I farm crops in the United States that are native to Andhra, where my family is from. I have come to discover that there are alternate ways of life beyond the 9-5 that I had grown up thinking was my only option.

What motivates you to be part of the Banyan Tree?

After spending time in India after college, I felt a deep calling to work with South Asian youth and continue dreaming about ways we can express our full selves through food and outdoor exploration.

If you could be a potato, how would you be prepared?

I would be my mom’s aloo paratha. My mom would always make it whenever I went on a journey, and I loved to share it with my friends. Ghee, potatoes, and spices, what’s not to love?

We asked our team, “What is Sheil’s superpower?” Here’s what one person said.

“Sheil has a special ability to create community wherever he goes.Through his travels, he has connected deeply to people from all walks of life and has a unique ability to make each person feel seen, heard, and cared for. Sheil also has a passion for growing food. Through his work, he has focused on growing South Asian ancestral herbs and vegetables, which he loves to share with the people he holds dear in his life. The intentionality he holds as he moves through the world is so present – we at The Banyan Tree are so lucky to have him here!”