10 year old farmer offered full scholarship to SC State

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WCIV) — A 10-year-old USDA-certified farmer from Atlanta received a surprise full scholarship offer from South Carolina State University President Alexander Conyers on a recent visit to the college.

Kendall Rae Johnson, the youngest USDA-certified farmer in the country, began gardening with her great-grandmother when she was just 3. She became the youngest certified farmer in Georgia at age 6, and soon after became the youngest nationally. She now farms land that was passed down to her mother from her great-grandmother, tending to about an acre of fruits and vegetables.

“I like helping the community out with fresh fruits and vegetables,” Kendall Rae said. “I also like to travel and learn different farming techniques and how other people do it.”

Johnson is homeschooled, with her father Quentin serving as her primary teacher. He and Kendall Rae’s mother Ursula don’t have a background in farming, but their daughter’s enthusiasm was contagious.

“She kind of pulled me into the whole thing,” Quentin said. “As exciting as it was for her, it was for me.”

The Johnson family visited SC State on the fifth and final stop of her tour of 1890 land-grant colleges.

“I’m surprised she didn’t scream,” Ursula said of the surprise offer. “That was amazing — to be introduced and given that opportunity so young. You very seldom see young kids who are doing amazing things get those opportunities.”

The scholarship, known officially as the 1890 Agriculture Innovation Scholarship, is valued at $83,500 and covers tuition, fees, and room and board at SC State.

“Kendall Rae is driven, focused and passionate about making a difference,” President Conyers said. “She represents the type of leader South Carolina State is proud to invest in — and we’ll be ready when she is.”

For more info on SC State’s agricultural programs, click here.