At just 10 years old, Kendall Rae Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia, is making history as the youngest USDA-certified farmer in the country and, now, the youngest to receive a full-ride agriculture scholarship.
Kendall Rae’s farming journey began when she was only 3 years old, planting collard greens with her great-grandmother, Laura “Kate” Williams.
By age 6, she was recognized as Georgia’s youngest certified farmer, and soon after, the youngest in the United States. Today, her one-acre farm produces peaches, strawberries, beets, okra, and more. She has also created her own products, including marinara sauce and honey.
Her dedication recently paid off in an extraordinary way. During a tour of historically Black land-grant universities, Kendall Rae received a surprise scholarship offer from South Carolina State University.
The 1890 Agriculture Innovation Scholarship, currently valued at $83,500, covers full tuition, fees, and room and board.
“She’s remarkable,” SC State President Alexander Conyers said in a statement. “It’s not every day you meet a 10-year-old who talks about microorganisms, crop counts, and longhorn cattle.”
The scholarship came after Kendall Rae’s multi-university tour, organized with the USDA’s National Urban Agriculture Initiative and Virginia State University.
She visited Virginia State, Tennessee State, Prairie View A&M, Southern University, and South Carolina State, engaging with students and faculty about agricultural education, financial literacy, and USDA youth loan programs.
Kendall Rae, who currently homeschools as a fourth grader, says she already has big dreams for the future. “How big is the farm I want? I want at least 100 acres. And I want a longhorn, baby.”
Her parents, Quentin and Ursula Johnson, who have no farming background themselves, said they decided to support her passion once they saw her focus fully. Now, their daughter’s early success is being recognized nationally, shining a spotlight on the next generation of Black farmers.
This groundbreaking moment not only secures Kendall Rae’s educational future but also reflects a growing movement to inspire young people to pursue careers in agriculture — a field that continues to evolve with innovation and community impact at its core.
