Teen grows green, gives back

It’s a season of growth for Kinston teenager Killen Harper as she celebrates six months of her unique non-profit organization, Carolina Greens.  Since January 2021, Killen has turned her family’s backyard on Stockton Rd. into a compact, productive garden growing vegetables she donates to Mary’s Kitchen and Greenville’s JOY Soup Kitchen. 

The rising junior at Parrott Academy became involved in the school’s Garden Club during her freshman year.  Her mother, a math teacher on Parrott’s faculty, is the Garden Club’s founder and advisor. As Killen became more interested in growing vegetables, she assisted her father designing and building a backyard greenhouse using recycled materials.  “That’s really helped me start Carolina Greens.  It extends the growing season, keeps pests from munching on the crops, and organizes my planting,” she explained.  

Lenoir County Master Gardeners also helped support the start of Carolina Greens, donating leftover packets of seed to get Killen started.  

Founder and Chief Gardener of Carolina Greens, Parrott Academy student Killen Harper and her backyard greenhouse.

Beginning in late February, Killen added microgreens to her produce and began to supply Chef and the Farmer restaurant.  As she’s added other microgreens buyers, income from those sales helps pay for her garden supplies.  She’s even been able to make some cash donations to Mary’s Kitchen.  

In March, Killen began a “One Square Yard Challenge.”  She offered seedlings to neighbors and fellow students, inspiring them to grow produce at home.  Then Killen and some of her friends pick up the harvest and transport it to either Mary’s Kitchen or JOY Soup Kitchen. For anyone interested, the challenge continues on Killen’s website, https://carolinagreens.org/.

Reflecting on a half year running a non-profit, Killen smiles with satisfaction. “I just want to inspire other people, especially young kids, to get outside, to grow something, and to get involved serving others.”