For the first time in it’s over-three decade history, the Sunbelt Ag Expo has named a woman as “Farmer of the Year”. Faylene Whitaker, from Climax, North Carolina, is the 2024 winner of the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award. She and her late husband started their farm in 1975 with 10 acres of rented land and expanded over the years to 940 acres producing various crops. Their farm now includes an agritourism business. Faylene’s older son, Shane, is a major partner in the business, and other family members also work there.

The farm employs a total of 69 workers. Whitaker Farms markets directly to the public through garden centers and produce buildings. They also engage in educational activities and special events to educate consumers. The farm’s crop yields are substantial, and they participate in various markets for their products. The Whitakers are dedicated to preserving farmland and have taken steps to protect their property. Environmental stewardship is a priority for them, including minimal water waste and organic production on a large part of their land. The family is active in community involvement and attends a local church together.

After the passing of her husband in 2023, Faylene remains committed to continuing their vision for the farm. She places importance on her faith, family, employees, and friends, with the business coming last, recognizing that without the first three, the farm wouldn’t matter. Faylene’s dedication to agriculture and advocacy for the industry led to her nomination as North Carolina Farmer of the Year. The judges recognized her outstanding qualifications, including adaptability, innovation, employee treatment, data-driven operation, and succession planning.

Harper Family Holdings and various state Farm Bureaus sponsor the Sunbelt Expo award program, providing cash awards, trips, and other prizes for state winners and overall winner. State winners will receive a $2,500 cash award, a vest, and a keepsake from the Moultrie Colquitt Co. Chamber of Commerce, with the overall winner also receiving a $15,000 cash prize, a Massey Ferguson tractor, a jacket, a HAYS Smoker/Grill, a rifle, and a diesel additive prize package. The Sunbelt Expo has been coordinating the Southeastern Farmer of the Year awards for 34 years, recognizing excellence in agricultural production, farm management, leadership, and family contributions to the farming industry. Over $1. 3 million in awards have been given to 304 southeastern farmers since the award’s inception in 1990.