A North Carolina grower has made history, becoming the first woman to be named the Sunbelt AgExpo Southeastern Farmer of the Year. Faylene Whitaker of Climax, North Carolina, has been farming since she was 19 and married her teenage sweetheart Richard, but told Spectrum News it was tough starting out.

“We had a hard time getting our first loan to operate, and we finally found a local bank that had faith in us and gave us a loan, and we paid it all back that year.”

Faylene lost Richard last year, but committed herself to keeping his legacy alive and expanding her own vision for the farm.

“He was my biggest fan, and I think I was his biggest fan, so I I was so blessed to have 50 years with the greatest person I ever knew.”

She now works alongside her older son and other family members to share her love of agriculture and to pass it along for future generations.

“Every farmer deserves to be recognized because they sacrifice so much and they feed the world, but they also give back to the land.”

Whitaker Farms is a varied operation, one that keeps the family and employees busy.

“We grow organic tobacco, organic corn, wheat, about 15 acres of strawberries, about 40 to 50 acres of vegetables and about 15 acres of pumpkins.”

Faylene admits it’s tough work, but in the end, very rewarding as well.

“If you’re willing to put the work in, and that sometimes can be long hours and hard work, and you will learn from other people, you can do anything you want to do.”