Four years ago, Kendall Rae Johnson earned the title of Georgia’s youngest certified farmer and has been breaking ground in the agricultural world ever since. Now at 10 years old, her dedication has earned her something even bigger: a full-ride scholarship to college, FOX 5 Atlanta reports.
Kendall Rae’s journey started early, in her family’s kitchen at age three, inspired by her father Quentin and the legacy of her great-grandmother Laura “Kate” Williams. Even though she never met her great-grandmother, Kendall Rae holds tight to her wise words: “Don’t throw my collard green stems away, put them back in the dirt.” Those words planted a seed in her soul, leading her to embrace sustainable farming and a deep respect for the land.
Her passion blossomed into leadership. She founded Kendall Rae’s Green Heart, a nonprofit that encourages young people to explore farming, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Her commitment caught the attention of leaders nationwide, including the state of Georgia, which honored her by declaring March 23, 2023, “Kendall Rae Johnson Day.”
Most recently, during a national college tour with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kendall Rae visited South Carolina State University. There, school officials were so impressed by her knowledge and focus, talking microorganisms, crop counts, and cattle, that they awarded her a full scholarship valued at $83,500.
“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.”
And this young farmer’s story is only just beginning.
Cover photo: 10-year-old Farmer Kendall Rae Johnson Earns Full Ride Scholarship to HBCU / Photo Credit: Cam Mitchell