Kendall Rae Johnson is a six-year-old girl born in the state of Georgia. At the tender age of 6, Kendall made history by becoming the state’s youngest certified farmer. Her knack for planting the seeds of fruits and vegetables began when she was three years old. Kendall was raised on the teachings of her great grandmother, Laura “Kate” Williams, who was terminally ill with cancer when Kendall was born. For two years, Kendall would stay by her grandmother’s side and cook from the garden. Her curiosity for watching things grow stemmed from her grandmother.
Her mom Ursula Johnson says that her daughter has been farming half her life. “She started in a patio garden, and the patio garden grew from a little bitty something to, by the time her fourth birthday came, a full-fledged garden in our backyard. And then we moved, and now she has a farm,” Johnson said.
With the support from her parents, Kendall started her own business, “aGrowKulture.” Kendall’s website ” aGrowKulture: Grow Fresh, Eat Fresh, Fresh Kulture” represents her love for farming. Her initiative is to bring 100 kids together to grow food. She has also started a YouTube show for holidays, where she will make some holiday treats with Georgia Grown’s Test Kitchen Chef Olivia Radar. Through her website, you can also donate to help raise Kendall’s fund for a science lab. Kendall grows several things on her farm, including okra, carrots, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, and strawberries. All these items are available and can be purchased through her website.
Kendall shares her passion for farming through a monthly gardening club where families help her harvest, plant, and produce and a subscription-based food box. Kendall has also joined agricultural organizations in Georgia like “Georgia Grown” and “Georgia Farm Bureau.” Her mission is to teach her peers about farming and teach kids about where the food comes from. Her hope for the future is to receive grants and scholarships to expand her farming business. Rep. Mandisha Thomas of Georgia state discovered Kendall and is an avid supporter of her work. She has also been recruiting young agriculturalists to support young farmers. Together Kendall and Mandisha have raised nearly $85,000.
Kendall’s goal is to raise funds to $10,000 to launch an outdoor agricultural lab for composting. She also hopes to inspire people, especially young ones, to begin farming and learn more about farming and farm lifestyle.
