Mission · Vision · Goals
Committed to Community, Youth, Earth, and Agri-Business
Mission
To grow sustainable food networks led by youth—empowering young people with STEAM-based agricultural education, entrepreneurship skills, and climate-smart leadership so they can build healthier communities and ecosystems.
Vision
A future where youth:
-
Understand where their food comes from
-
Use STEAM skills to solve real-world problems
-
Lead their own ag-based ventures and community projects
-
Shape a resilient, equitable food system for their neighborhoods and beyond
Goals
-
Cultivate Leaders: Develop confident, youth-led ambassadors for agriculture and environmental stewardship.
-
Expand Access: Bring hands-on agriculture, garden education, and healthy food experiences to inner-city youth and schools.
-
Support Youth Businesses: Help young people launch and grow agri-businesses and value-added products.
-
Build Climate-Smart Practices: Promote hydroponics, composting, conservation, and smart resource use across programs.
Our Founder
Kendall Rae Johnson
Kendall Rae Johnson is a city kid with a country-sized love for growing things. 🌱 At just 10 years old, she became the youngest certified farmer in the United States, turning her curiosity about seeds and soil into a full-blown mission to help other kids grow, too.
From her home base in Southwest Atlanta, Kendall Rae runs Kendall Rae’s Green Heart, a youth-led nonprofit that teaches kids how to garden, start small businesses, protect the planet, and dream big. When she’s not checking on her collards, kale, and lettuce or bottling Kendall Beelicious Honey, you can find her leading farm tours, designing cool ag projects, or speaking to grown-ups about why kids deserve a seat at the table (and on the tractor!).
Kendall Rae believes that every kid has a “green heart” waiting to shine. Through fun, hands-on programs, she’s growing a new generation of leaders who know how to feed their communities, protect the earth, and build the future—one seed, one idea, and one smile at a time. 🌎💚
When youth grow food, they grow confidence, leadership, and economic power.
+5k
Youth farmers trained across Georgia
Over 5,000 Youth Supported
+5k
Hands-on agriculture & STEAM programs
Over 5,000 Youth in Schools, Organizations, Homeschool Co-Ops Supported
100
Youth marketplaces & farm-based businesses
50
School & community partnerships statewide
85%
Workforce pathways in farming & beekeeping
Afro-Tech
THE STORY THAT STARTED IT ALL
It Started With Broken Collard Green Stems
At just three years old, Kendall Rae Johnson planted her first collard greens alongside her family at aGROWKulture Urban Farm. What began as curiosity quickly became purpose.
By age six, Kendall Rae became Georgia’s youngest certified farmer. But her mission grew beyond farming.
-
She saw neighborhoods without fresh food.
-
She saw children disconnected from nature.
-
She saw youth with dreams but limited opportunities.
So she created Kendall Rae’s Green Heart — a nonprofit dedicated to helping young people grow food, grow businesses, and grow confidence.
Today, the organization teaches youth agriculture, healthy living, entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship, and leadership through hands-on learning experiences across Atlanta and beyond.
Local Programs
WHAT WE DO ?
Youth Agriculture & Gardening
Hands-on growing experiences that reconnect children to healthy food, nature, and sustainability.
STEAM & Agri-Tech
Programs combining science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and math to prepare youth for future careers.
Youth Entrepreneurship
Helping young people launch businesses, sell products, build confidence, and become leaders in their communities.
Youth Are Not the Future — They Are the Present.
Growing More Than Gardens
Youth Businesses Supported
Over 54 youth entrepreneurs have received support through business education, market opportunities, and mentorship experiences. Kendall Rae’s Green Heart helps young people turn creative ideas into real ventures while teaching financial literacy, leadership, and confidence-building skills.
Community Partners
Kendall Rae’s Green Heart proudly collaborates with more than nine community organizations, schools, and mission-aligned partners to expand its impact. Together, these partnerships help create greater access to resources, educational opportunities, and healthier futures for families and communities.
Youth Served
More than 1,000 youth have participated in Kendall Rae’s Green Heart programs, gaining hands-on experience in agriculture, entrepreneurship, wellness, and leadership.
Workshops & Programs
Kendall Rae’s Green Heart has hosted over 58 educational workshops and community programs designed to inspire healthy living, environmental awareness, and youth empowerment.
School Gardens Built
More than five school and community gardens have been developed to provide safe, interactive spaces for youth to learn and grow.
FAQ
Your questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
Kool Kids Grow
After-school program
An exciting after-school experience where youth dig into gardening, healthy living, STEAM activities, and leadership through hands-on learning. From planting seeds to building confidence, Kool Kids Grow empowers children to discover their potential while having fun outdoors.
City Farm ATL
City Farm ATL transforms urban spaces into vibrant learning hubs where youth experience farming, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and environmental stewardship firsthand. Through immersive farm experiences and community engagement, participants discover how agriculture can change neighborhoods and futures.
2 Peas In A Pod
2 Peas In A Pod connects youth and families through agriculture, wellness, creativity, and community-building experiences that strengthen relationships and inspire growth together. This engaging program creates joyful spaces where learning, teamwork, and healthy living flourish side by side.
Kendall's Kids Marketplace
Kendall’s Kids Marketplace empowers young entrepreneurs to showcase products, practice business skills, and gain real-world market experience in a supportive environment. From handmade goods to fresh produce, youth learn confidence, financial literacy, and leadership while building their own brands.
Cultivate & Educate
Cultivate and Educate empowers the next generation through dynamic workshops focused on agriculture, entrepreneurship, leadership, and environmental awareness. This inspiring program helps youth cultivate real-world skills, confidence, and purpose while preparing them to become changemakers in their communities.
Farm To Kitchen With Kids
Farm To Kitchen brings fresh food to life by teaching youth how to harvest, cook, and create healthy meals straight from the garden. Kids learn nutrition, culinary skills, and the power of food in a fun, interactive environment that inspires healthy habits for life.
Workshop Review
Cultivate & Educate
What People are Saying
“My child learned where food comes from for the first time.”
— Parent, Southwest Atlanta
“Kendall inspires children that look like ours to dream bigger.”
— Community Partner
“This program gave my daughter confidence and leadership skills.”
— Workshop Parent
Have A Green Heart
And Connect With Us.
From One Little Garden To
A Movement Growing Across Communities
Kendall Rae's Green Heart empowers youth through agriculture with STEAM skills and prepare them to become future leaders in agriculture—cultivating a pipeline of diverse ambassadors for agriculture and entrepreneurship. Providing STEAM education, and community wellness — planting seeds of leadership one child at a time.