At just 10 years old, Kendall Rae Johnson is already making a huge impact on the world of agriculture. Kendall’s not your typical kid—she’s Georgia’s youngest certified farmer, and a USDA National Urban Agriculture Youth Ambassador.
Kendall’s passion for farming began when she was just three years old. According to her website, she started growing fruits and vegetables with her great-grandmother Laura “Kate” Williams – planting cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, and collard greens in a small patio garden.
This simple act of planting a stem ignited a fascination with how things grow, leading her to eventually create aGROWKulture, her family’s urban farm in Southwest Atlanta.
Today, the farm is a vibrant hub where Kendall grows a variety of fruits and vegetables and even raises honeybees.
Kendall is a renowned farmer and excelling educator
Her work goes beyond just growing food; she’s dedicated to agricultural education. Through her non-profit, Kendall Rae’s Green Heart, she teaches other kids about farming, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. She’s also the author of a children’s book, My Farm Biz, aimed at inspiring young readers.
She continues to inspire others to get their hands dirty and discover the magic of growing their own food.
Kendall Johnson was given the designation of Georgia’s youngest certified farmer four years ago, and she’s created a name for herself in the agricultural world since then.
At 4 years old, Johnson’s parents built her a larger garden bed at their home, and she was hooked. Now she invites friends to help harvest everything she’s grown, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
In 2023, the state of Georgia honored Johnson by declaring March 23, 2023, “Kendall Rae Johnson Day.”
While on a college tour, her last stop was at South Carolina State University, where she toured the college’s research farms and program areas.
After seeing what the campus had to offer, school administrators surprised her with a full-ride scholarship.
“Thank you,” the happy farmer shouted after hearing the news.
The scholarship, valued at $83,500, covers full tuition, fees, and room and board.
“We were genuinely inspired by Kendall Rae’s focus and maturity,” SC State President Alexander Conyers said. “It’s not every day you meet a 10-year-old who talks about microorganisms, crop counts and longhorn cattle. She’s remarkable.”