The What, Why, When & Where about aGROWKulture Urban Farm
In 2018, at the tender age of three, Kendall Rae Johnson found herself in the heart of her family's kitchen, surrounded by the tantalizing aromas of home-cooked meals. With her father, Quentin, as her guide, and the spirit of her great grandmother Laura "Kate" Williams as her inspiration, Kendall Rae embarked on a culinary journey that would leave an indelible mark on her young heart.
Guided by her father's expert hands and the timeless wisdom of her great-grand, Kendall Rae learned the importance of honoring every part of the food cycle. Even though she couldn't quite conjure her great-grand's face from memory, Kendall Rae clung to her words like precious heirlooms. "Don't throw my collard green stems away, put them back in the dirt," she would often hear, planting the seeds of a future passion deep within her soul.
As Kendall Rae grew, so did her fascination with the transformative power of agriculture. The simple act of returning collard green stems to the earth sparked a fire within her, igniting a passion for urban farming that would shape her destiny forever. From those early days in the kitchen to the bustling streets of Atlanta, Kendall Rae's journey was one of discovery, growth, and boundless possibility.
A "Magical" experience from a tiny seed.
Accolades
2021 City of South Fulton, Proclamation - Kendall Rae Johnson Day
2021 Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Proclamation - Kendall Rae Johnson Day
2021 Georgia Department of Agriculture, Distinguished Agriculture Steward, Proclamation
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2022 National 4-H Charter, Recognized by Land Grant College/University, Fort Valley State University
2022 One Extraordinary Little Farmer, Proclamation, Congresswoman, Nikema Williams
2022 USDA Certificate of Appreciation, Chief Terri J. Cosby
2022 Dr. Edna B. McKenzie Award, ASALH
2022 East Point/College Park Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Young Entrepreneur Recipient
2022 Outstanding Georgia Citizen Award
2022 Kendall Rae's Green Heart, The Green Heart Festival, Proclamation - Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman
2022 Georgia Peach Festival " Grand Marshall"
2022 USDA-NRCS, Cooperative Agreement Recipient
2022 The Home Depot Spring Social Influencer
2022 Creative Soul Photography, Calendar Farmer
2022 HBCUKid Young Farmer Participant
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2023 Produced Georgia's First, Earth Day Parade & Learning Fair
2023 USDA-NRCS, Cooperative Agreement Recipient
2023 HEIRrow Honors Recipient
Porsha Brunner TV Show
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2024 NBAF Blacklisted Banned Books Children Program Presenter
2024 Mayor Dickens Year of The Youth Summit
2024 Mother & Me /Father & Me Sneaker Ball - Talbot County 4-H
Roberta T. Smith Elementary - Career Day with Kendall Rae Johnson
STEAM Event at MLK Elementary
Brooks Elementary - BHM Program with Kendall
150th Anniversary Celebration of the Georgia Department of Agriculture with Commissioner Tyler Harper
Artist & Authors - Book signing and reading with Kendall Rae Johnson
Dream Coretta Garden with Queen Aftan
Pollinator Event with ArtsXchange
School Event with Felecia Thomas
IN-PERSON INTERVIEW: Kendall Rae Johnson x Laura: The Atlanta Voice
Minority Vendor Showcase - Georgia Grown Event
Plantlanta State University
Home Depot
Delta Airlines Safety
Black Voters Matter - Juneteenth Event
Wild West In Color Rodeo - Marietta
AAP Day in Atlanta
Connecting Kids Inside Out - BIPOC Conference - Ohio
Atlanta Hawks with Kendall Rae Johnson
Southern Black Girls Conference - Atlanta
Black Voters Matter Environmental Justice Tour Ambassador
City of Atlanta Supplier Expo
Photo Credit: Creative Soul Photography Print Credit: HBCU Kid
In 2021, aGROWKulture, Kendall Rae Johnson’s story went viral and ever since he has been featured on web sites, television and radio stations around the planet. She’s appeared on ABC World News Tonight with David Muir, Channel 11 Alive, Fox 5 Weather Channel, Fox 5 Atlanta, WSB-TV, Good Morning America, Ellen DeGeneres show, Nick News, MSNBC with Zerlia, E.W. Scripps with Jesse Cohen, BNC’s AMplified with Aisha Mills, CNN, CNN+, Denver 7, KSBY News, News One, Yahoo News, Blavity News, TheGrio, Atlanta News First with Master Bee Keeper Bill Crumpler, and was interviewed by Big Tigger and The Big Tigger Morning Show , KidsGardening, Creative Loafing, The Hype Magazine, WABE Radio, Southern Living, USA Today, The Washington Post, Farm Monitor, Farmer.gov, Black News, Aspire TV, Travel Noire, Inspire More, The Shade Room, Gardenerd with David Newsom as well as been mentioned by Former FLOTUS, Michelle Obama. She has appeared as a young farmer and speaker for ACGA (American Community Garden Association), The Phytobiomes Conference, The Bremen Museum, and a host of schools and community organizations.
Where it all began, from broken collard green stems.
Kendall Rae Johnson has been recognized in the state of Georgia for her urban agriculture efforts and was awarded a state wide resolution “Kendall Rae Johnson Day” on March 23rd, 2023 by her state, Georgia. Her inspirational story is printed in youth magazines such as, Highlights Kids Magazine, Georgia Magazine, City Lifestyle Magazine, The Atlanta Voice, Agritourism Life Magazine, New Moon Magazine, Jack & Jill Magazine.
Kendall Rae Johnson’s story continues to live out loud in agriculture, inspiration and aspirations for the all generation now and to come. She has stated her non-profit organization called, Kendall Rae’s Green Heart to help influence youths in agriculture practices, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and agriculture career pathways. This is just her beginning.
Meet the Farm Family
Quentin and Ursula Johnson are the dedicated parents of Kendall Rae Johnson, the youngest certified farmer. Quentin, serving as the Farm Project Manager, brings his extensive farming knowledge to the table, supporting Kendall's innovative agricultural projects. Ursula, known affectionately as the "Commager," handles the administrative duties with precision and care, ensuring the smooth operation of their farming initiatives. Together, they form a hardworking team that not only supports but also actively contributes to Kendall's vision, embodying a family that listens to and values the ideas and concepts their daughter passionately brings forward.