Today we’d like to introduce you to Keisha Rainey.
Keisha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I turned 30, I was going through life and career changes. I started to pray about a position of impact and for my next season of life. That is when agriculture was introduced to me. I got a job with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) in 2019 and have been on this food systems ride ever since. With SCDA, I was a Field Specialist working on Federal Produce Inspections, a Peanut supervisor helping oversee all the peanut buying points’ temporary employees during peanut season, a GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) coordinator, which helped educate fresh produce growers about food safety and getting them audit-ready, and lastly, the Hemp Compliance Inspector. From there, I explored the non-profit sector by working as a Food Systems Specialist at Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA). My role was working with growers in SC and NC to enhance their food safety education, increase market access, develop food safety plans, and provide audit support, alongside developing curriculum for producers. I spent two years doing that, and then I realized I wanted to serve more of my local communities, and SC as a whole, alongside the youth as well. That is how my business, Roots and Rain, was born. Roots and Rain is dedicated to helping organizations, women, and historically impacted farmers increase their agricultural footprint by providing training, resources, and collaborating effectively. With Roots and Rain, I can serve many communities and initiatives as we work to build on the Local Food Systems. I also chair the Land Access and Agribusiness Subcommittee for the Columbia Food Policy Team and serve as Vice President of the SC Black Farmers Coalition.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
With obstacles, the reward is sweeter. I believe. It makes you appreciate your journey. I can admit that in my last year with SCDA, I hit a professional wall, struggling to decide where I wanted to go next. The pivotal moment is when I applied for a promotion that I didn’t get. I was devastated and felt like this role was one I was supposed to fill, so what was the purpose of all that I had put in? I love SCDA, and they are still a great partner to this day, so this highlight is not a knock on them. Actually, if anything, I am grateful for the no’s in my life, and the roads that have ended because there was something else I was supposed to do. But I am human, and I felt low after not getting a promotion, which is when I changed to CFSA. And even though there were times I felt fulfilled, I still struggled with whether I was on the right path. It always feels like when you are lost, the whole world around you is finding its way. At the time, I was a participant in the Clemson PLEAF (Palmetto Leadership for the Environment, Agriculture, and Forestry) 2-year program, and that really helped me get some self-reflection. Once I realized that I was looking at things with some entitlement, saying a statement like “I deserve”, and also unlocking the realization of the footprint I wanted to make in agriculture, my perspective changed. All this to say, a smooth road it was not, but I appreciate every bump along the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Roots and Rain is dedicated to helping organizations, women, and historically impacted farmers increase their agricultural footprint by providing training, resources, and collaborating effectively. The focus of this business is a pivotal resource in our Local Food Systems. Roots and Rain meets producers & organizations where they are and works to help them meet goals. Whether it’s a goal for their farm to reach more markets or add agritourism, or maybe it is an organization looking for a project partner to help make an initiative successful, this is where we can fill the role. My day-to-day projects can range from training on food safety to feasibility studies to consulting on a statewide program. I am proud that on September 19, 2025, Roots and Rain will be one year old, and it has been a great year, but she is just getting started. My favorite thing is listening to a need and bringing in key partners. What this does is shine light on other entrepreneurs, but it also brings like-minded individuals and values together to create something beautiful. Anything outside of our scope, we ensure to connect people in the Local Food Systems to a trusted resource.
Any big plans?
I am looking forward to connecting and growing Roots and Rain into a multi-employee operation where we can have a considerable impact on agriculture. My vision for the future is to open Revive & Relive (R&R) for those who have been displaced, providing them with a space to live, work, and reintegrate into society while learning how to grow and prepare food, and offering them opportunities that everyone should have access to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rootsrain.org/
- Instagram: rootsrain
- Facebook: Roots and Rain, LLC
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keisha-rainey-328508287/
