Have you ever discovered something so simple, yet so powerful, that it changed everything?

That’s exactly what happened to me. My name is Connor Hiebel, and I’m the founder of Amelia Island Microgreens. My journey started with a tiny seed and turned into a lifestyle, a healing journey, and eventually, a business that now helps people around the world grow microgreens at home.

This isn’t just a story about food. It’s about resilience, transformation, and how something small can completely shift your life.

How Microgreens at Home Helped Me Heal

When I was just seven years old, my health hit rock bottom. I was in constant pain. My stomach hurt all the time. My joints ached. I couldn’t even tolerate wearing clothes without discomfort. I couldn’t go outside and play like a normal kid.

My parents took me to get a thermography scan, and what it showed was terrifying. My body was full of inflammation. It was worse than anything the doctors had seen in adults. They thought I might have cancer.

That was the moment we knew we had to try something different. My parents believed food is medicine, so we went the holistic route. I was put on a gut repair diet, and I started growing microgreens at home.

Those tiny greens gave my body what it desperately needed. They were full of life and nutrients. At a time when I couldn’t even stand long enough to garden, I could still grow my own food right on the kitchen counter.

Why Microgreens at Home Are So Powerful

Growing microgreens at home was exactly what I needed. They gave me access to real, living food that was fresh and nutrient-packed. Here's why they made such a big impact:

• They’re up to 40 percent more nutrient-dense than mature vegetables
• They’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients
• They’re super easy to grow
• They’re ready to harvest in just 7 to 10 days
• And best of all, they grow right on your countertop

All I had to do was lift a tray, add a cup of water, and in a week I had food. I didn’t need a garden. I didn’t need to pull weeds or spend hours outside. I just needed a little space and some curiosity.

You Heal Before You Feel

Eight months after I started my gut-healing diet and growing microgreens at home, I went in for another thermography scan. The difference was night and day. My body was healing. The inflammation had gone down dramatically.

But here’s the wild part. I didn’t feel better. Not yet. I remember telling the doctor, “This isn’t working. I still feel awful.”

That’s when they said something that changed everything for me.

You heal before you feel.

It stuck with me. If you’re on your own health journey and wondering if what you’re doing is making a difference, keep going. Sometimes the healing starts before the symptoms go away. That’s why I always recommend journaling your progress. We forget how bad things were, and that can make us miss how far we’ve actually come.

How Microgreens at Home Became My Mission

Microgreens started as a way to save my health. But over time, they became something more. They became my mission.

When COVID hit and the food supply chain got messy, I realized I had something valuable to share. While people were stressing over empty shelves and access to fresh produce, I was growing vibrant greens in my kitchen.

That’s when I launched Amelia Island Microgreens. I was 14 at the time, and it started as a little homeschool project. I sold microgreen kits at local markets, and I learned as I went. Funny enough, my packaging looked like I was selling burgers and cheese. People were so confused, but they were curious, and that curiosity turned into conversations.

Now the kits are more polished, and we’ve even received a sustainability grant from FedEx that helped us remove 98 percent of single-use plastics from our packaging. It’s been incredible to see how far this little seed of an idea has come.

Even Without a Green Thumb, You Can Grow Microgreens at Home

I always say, you don’t need a green thumb. You just need a microgreen. Growing microgreens at home is easy. Seriously. If I could do it when I could barely get out of bed, you can definitely do it now.

You don’t need a garden. You don’t need a ton of supplies. Just a few trays, some seeds, and a little water.

There’s also something deeply healing about watching something grow. Whether you’re recovering from health issues, going through something emotionally heavy, or just looking for a new hobby, growing your own food—even something as small as microgreens—can be incredibly grounding.

My Book: Let’s Get Growing

After years of growing microgreens at home and building my business, I wanted to share everything I learned with others, especially young people like me. That’s why I wrote my first book, Let’s Get Growing: A Teen’s Guide to Entrepreneurial Success.

It’s filled with lessons from my own journey, both the highs and the hard stuff. I talk about how I started my business, how I pushed through challenges, and how I kept going even when things got tough.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that with every challenge comes a seed of equal or greater opportunity. That mindset changed my life, and I hope it changes yours too.

Ready to Start Growing Microgreens at Home?

If my story resonated with you, I’d love to help you get started. I put everything I’ve learned into a beginner-friendly course so you can start growing your own microgreens at home, no guesswork required.

🎁 You can sign up for my free Microgreens 101 Masterclass here:

👉 ameliaislandmicrogreens.com/101

It’s packed with everything you need to start your own countertop garden. It’s fun, easy, and more impactful than you might expect.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, I never imagined a handful of seeds could change my life. But they did. Microgreens at home helped me heal. They gave me a purpose. And now they help me inspire and support others just like you.

So if you’re looking for something small that could make a big difference in your life, this is your sign to get growing.

What about you? Have you ever tried growing microgreens at home? Are you thinking about starting?

Let me know in the comments or reach out. I’d love to hear your story.

Remember, even the smallest seeds can spark the biggest change.

Stay curious. Keep growing. And as always, stay awesome.