CLIMAX, N.C. (WGHP) — It is amazing what a couple can do when they say “I do”. Back in 1975, just two years after getting married Faylene Whitaker and her late husband, Richard, began building a life from the ground up. With ten rented acres, a 150 International tractor, and a $40 tobacco setter, they carved out the beginnings of what would become one of North Carolina’s most admired family farms.
Nearly five decades later, the Whitakers’ work has been recognized across the state. In 2024, voters named Faylene Whitaker the Southeastern Farmer of the Year, making her the first woman ever to receive the honor, an acknowledgment of both her stewardship and her vision.
Walk the grounds of Whitakers Farm and the reasons for that recognition quickly come into focus. A sprawling garden center brims with plants. The bakery and market offer fresh sweets and shelves lined with locally made North Carolina products. Every corner feels touched by the family’s imprint…