Exploring Life & Business with Kendall Rae Johnson of aGROWKulture Urban Farm and Kendall Raes Green Heart

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendall Rae Johnson.

Hi Kendall Rae , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Kendall Rae Johnson’s story began with something small: a collard green stem and the wisdom of her great-grandmother, Laura “Kate” Williams. At just three years old, Kendall stood in her family kitchen watching her great-grandmother save leftover collard green stems instead of throwing them away. Kate told her, “Put them back in the dirt.” That simple lesson changed everything. Kendall watched those stems grow into new collard greens, and for her, it felt like magic.
After her great-grandmother passed away, Kendall’s family honored her memory by planting more collard stems on their patio in Atlanta. What started as a tiny patio garden quickly became Kendall’s passion. She became fascinated with how seeds transformed into food. Her parents noticed her excitement and leaned into it. For her fourth birthday, her father built her a raised garden bed, and the little patio project turned into a thriving backyard garden.
As Kendall grew, so did the garden. Soon she was growing carrots, strawberries, squash, zucchini, broccoli, sweet potatoes, blueberries, tomatoes, pears, apples, and peppers. But for Kendall, gardening was never just about food. She wanted other kids to understand where food comes from and why growing your own food matters. She started inviting neighborhood children to garden with her, teaching them how to plant seeds, care for soil, and harvest vegetables.
Her backyard eventually evolved into aGROWKulture Urban Farm, an urban agriculture space in Southwest Atlanta focused on education, sustainability, and youth empowerment. The farm expanded to include dozens of raised beds, fruit trees, chickens, ducks, rabbits, honey bees, and educational spaces where youth and families could learn hands-on agriculture skills.
Then came the milestone that brought national attention.
At only six years old, Kendall became the youngest certified farmer in the state of Georgia — and later recognized as the youngest certified farmer in the United States. Through aGROWKulture, she received official state and federal business recognition and joined organizations such as Georgia Grown and the Georgia Farm Bureau. That achievement allowed her to apply for grants, scholarships, and agricultural programs usually associated with adult farmers.
But Kendall’s impact reached far beyond farming.
She began speaking publicly about agriculture, sustainability, food access, and the importance of getting young people involved in farming. She appeared at conferences, schools, museums, and community events, becoming a youth ambassador for agriculture and environmental education. Her story quickly spread across national media outlets including Good Morning America, CNN, MSNBC, ABC World News Tonight, and numerous magazines and newspapers. Former First Lady Michelle Obama even acknowledged her work.
Kendall also turned her passion into community action. She helped create youth gardening clubs, agricultural workshops, and STEAM-based programs teaching entrepreneurship, sustainability, composting, beekeeping, and conservation. Through her nonprofit, Kendall Rae’s Green Heart, she now works to inspire young people to explore careers in agriculture and environmental science.
Her accomplishments continued to grow year after year:
Youngest certified farmer in Georgia and later recognized nationally
Founder of aGROWKulture Urban Farm
Founder of Kendall Rae’s Green Heart nonprofit
Named a USDA National Urban Agriculture Youth Ambassador
Received an official Georgia state resolution declaring March 23, 2023 as “Kendall Rae Johnson Day”
Featured in national media outlets, magazines, and educational campaigns
Published author of the children’s book I’m Growing Places
Earned a full-ride agricultural scholarship from South Carolina State University at only 10 years old
Developed youth entrepreneurship and food education programs for children and families
What makes Kendall Rae Johnson’s story so powerful is that it never started with fame or records. It started with curiosity, family, and a child who believed planting a seed could change something bigger than herself. Today, she is not only growing food — she is growing confidence in young people, creating opportunities in underserved communities, and helping reshape what the future of agriculture looks like for the next generation.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, Kendall Rae Johnson’s journey has not been a completely smooth road. While her story is inspiring, there were real challenges behind the scenes that helped shape her resilience and purpose.
One of the biggest challenges was being taken seriously because of her age. Imagine being six, seven, or eight years old and walking into rooms full of adults in agriculture, business, and education. Many people saw Kendall as “just a cute kid with a garden” before understanding the depth of her knowledge, discipline, and vision. Her family often had to prove that the work was real, that the farm was active, and that Kendall genuinely led and participated in the projects she spoke about publicly.
Another struggle was balancing childhood with responsibility. While most kids her age were focused only on school or play, Kendall was also maintaining gardens, caring for animals, attending speaking engagements, participating in interviews, traveling, and leading community projects. Her schedule demanded maturity and time management far beyond her years.
Building and sustaining an urban farm also came with financial and logistical challenges. Farming is expensive — soil, lumber, irrigation systems, tools, seeds, fencing, feed, transportation, and maintenance all cost money. Expanding aGROWKulture Urban Farm required grants, partnerships, sponsorships, and continuous community support. Like many urban agriculture initiatives, there were moments where resources were limited, and creative problem-solving became necessary.
There were also environmental and agricultural challenges. Crops fail sometimes. Weather changes unexpectedly. Pests damage plants. Animals require constant care. Farming teaches patience because not every season produces the outcome you expect. Kendall learned early that success in agriculture comes through consistency, adaptability, and hard work.
Public visibility created another layer of pressure. Once her story gained national attention, expectations became much higher. Kendall was no longer only representing herself — she became a symbol of youth leadership, Black agriculture, urban farming, and environmental education. That kind of attention can be overwhelming for anyone, especially a child. Her family had to work hard to protect her joy, keep her grounded, and make sure she still experienced a normal childhood while pursuing her mission.
There were also moments when people underestimated the importance of agriculture itself. Kendall has spoken about wanting young people — especially children in underserved communities — to see farming as something powerful, modern, and meaningful. Part of her journey has involved changing perceptions and helping people understand that farming is connected to health, entrepreneurship, science, sustainability, and community empowerment.
But those struggles became part of what made her story so impactful. Every obstacle reinforced the message she now shares with other young people: you do not have to wait to become an adult to create change. Kendall’s journey shows that purpose can start small — sometimes with something as simple as planting a collard green stem in the dirt — and still grow into something capable of inspiring communities across the country.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Kendall Rae’s Green Heart is more than a youth agriculture organization — it is a movement built around empowering young people to lead through sustainability, entrepreneurship, education, and community impact. Founded by Kendall Rae Johnson, the organization was created to help youth understand that agriculture is not just about growing food; it is connected to leadership, environmental stewardship, business ownership, wellness, and innovation.
What makes the organization unique is that it is genuinely youth-led and youth-centered. Kendall and her team intentionally create spaces where children are not simply participants — they are leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, performers, and changemakers. Through hands-on experiences, students and families learn gardening, composting, hydroponics, food systems, sustainability, STEM integration, and entrepreneurship in ways that are engaging and accessible.
One of the organization’s signature events is the The Green Heart Festival, a youth-led festival and entrepreneurship marketplace designed “by kids for kids.” The festival brings together young entrepreneurs, performers, community organizations, and families to celebrate leadership, healthy living, creativity, and sustainability. Young business owners showcase and sell products ranging from handmade goods to healthy food items while gaining real-world business experience. The event has become known for uplifting youth voices and showing children that they can build businesses and create community impact at an early age.
Another standout initiative is Kendall Rae’s Earth Day Parade and Learning Fair, developed in partnership with City of South Fulton. The event combines environmental education, sustainability awareness, youth engagement, and community celebration through interactive exhibits, educational activities, live entertainment, and family-focused programming centered around protecting the planet and promoting healthy communities.
The organization is also recognized for providing free agricultural workshops and educational experiences through strategic partnerships with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), Food Well Alliance, the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning, and the City of Atlanta Office of Sustainability and Resilience. These collaborations help expand access to urban agriculture education and sustainability resources for youth and families across Atlanta. Programs include urban farm tours, composting workshops, soil science education, climate-smart agriculture training, conservation education, and hands-on learning experiences that connect communities directly to local food systems.
One of the organization’s most impactful collaborations is “Cultivate & Educate,” a free urban farm workshop series developed alongside the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning. These workshops introduce residents and families to sustainable farming practices, hydroponics, food production systems, environmental stewardship, and agricultural innovation while helping cultivate the next generation of urban agricultural leaders.
Brand-wise, what sets Kendall Rae’s Green Heart apart is authenticity. The work grows directly from Kendall’s real-life journey as a child farmer, educator, and advocate. The organization blends agriculture, youth empowerment, environmental justice, and entrepreneurship into one accessible and inspiring platform. Rather than simply teaching children how to garden, the organization helps young people see themselves as leaders capable of solving community challenges.
The brand is especially proud of creating intergenerational and community-centered experiences that bridge gaps between youth, families, educators, local governments, and agricultural organizations. From backyard gardens to large-scale community festivals, the organization continues to prove that young people can play a major role in shaping healthier, greener, and more sustainable communities.
At its core, Kendall Rae’s Green Heart wants people to know that its mission is not only about growing food — it is about growing confidence, opportunity, leadership, and future changemakers.

At the center of the work is aGROWKulture Urban Farm, an educational urban farm in Southwest Atlanta that serves as both a working farm and a living classroom. The farm is Certified Naturally Grown and is known for combining agriculture with hands-on learning, environmental stewardship, and youth leadership. What began as Kendall’s backyard garden has evolved into a thriving community space featuring raised garden beds, fruit trees, pollinator habitats, chickens, bees, composting systems, and outdoor learning areas.
aGROWKulture Urban Farm specializes in:
Community workshops focused on gardening, composting, sustainability, hydroponics, pollinators, food systems, and environmental education
School garden builds and educational garden consultations that help schools transform outdoor spaces into learning environments
Community markets that support local farmers, youth entrepreneurs, artisans, and healthy food access
Youth agricultural education and entrepreneurship programming
Farm tours and immersive educational experiences for schools, organizations, and families
One of the farm’s most popular attractions is its signature farm tours and interactive experiences. Guests can participate in:
Farm-to-Fork Experiences, where visitors harvest fresh ingredients and learn how food moves from the garden to the table
Queen Bee Experiences, an educational pollinator program introducing participants to beekeeping, honey production, pollination, and environmental conservation
Hands-on farm exploration activities designed to teach youth and families about sustainable agriculture in engaging and memorable ways
The organization has become especially known for creating experiences that are educational, interactive, and family-friendly while still rooted in real agricultural practices.
Kendall has also expanded the brand into value-added agricultural products inspired by the produce and pollinator work from the farm. Signature products include:
Kendall’s BeeLicious Honey, locally harvested honey produced from the farm’s bees
Kraezy Good Marinara Sauce, made using ingredients and inspiration from produce grown on the farm
Beyond agriculture, Kendall Rae Johnson has built a growing educational and lifestyle brand centered around youth empowerment and literacy. She is the author of:
I’m Growing Places, a children’s book inspired by her journey in agriculture and community leadership
The My Farm Biz Series, designed to teach children entrepreneurship, farming, business development, and creativity in an engaging and relatable way
The brand also offers merchandise that promotes healthy living, agriculture, environmental awareness, and youth leadership, helping young people feel connected to the mission and inspired to become changemakers themselves.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best about our city is that I was born and raised here, so Atlanta is home to me. I love how creative and diverse the city is, and I’m thankful to have friends, mentors, and a community that supports my goals and dreams. My parents have always encouraged me to follow my passion for agriculture, entrepreneurship, and helping others, and Atlanta has given me opportunities to grow, learn, and share my story with so many people. I also love that our city is becoming more interested in sustainability, urban farming, and creating healthier communities.
What I like least is that I wish there were more opportunities and spaces for kids like me who are not into sports. There are so many young people interested in agriculture, science, entrepreneurship, environmental work, arts, and creative leadership, but sometimes those programs do not get the same level of support or visibility. I would love to see more investments in youth innovation programs, urban agriculture, STEM education, and hands-on learning opportunities so kids can explore different passions and realize there are many ways to succeed and make an impact.

Pricing:

• Kendall’s Beelicious Honey $7
• Kraezy Good Marinara $9
• Im Growing Places Book $16
• My Farm Biz – Series $16

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.agrowkulture.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/agrowkulture
• Other: https://www.kendallraesgreenheart.org