[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 133 (Friday, August 23, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING MRS. FAYLENE WHITAKER ON BEING NAMED NORTH CAROLINA FARMER OF 
                                THE YEAR

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                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 23, 2024

  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Mrs. Faylene Whitaker on being named North Carolina Farmer of the Year.
  Mrs. Whitaker has the unique honor of being the first woman to be 
named North Carolina Farmer of the Year. Mrs. Whitaker started Whitaker 
Farms with her late husband Richard in 1975, who she has surely honored 
with this award. Together, they purchased 36 acres of land in Randolph 
County and as a result of their hard work, Whitaker Farms has now grown 
to 1,000 acres and includes a variety of different crops. The Whitakers 
use innovative and sustainable farming practices to ensure high crop 
yields, healthy soil, drip irrigation and devote a majority of the land 
to organic production.
  Our state has a long and proud tradition of agricultural excellence. 
Many people don't even realize where the food they eat every day comes 
from, but the Whitakers could tell you they worked around the clock, 24 
hours a day when they first started, to ensure they could pay back 
their first bank loan while overcoming weather conditions that make 
farming nearly impossible. I know I speak for our region and entire 
state when I say thank you to our hard-working farmers and the 
Whitakers for their dedication to putting food on the table in North 
Carolina. From peanuts to sweet potatoes, North Carolina farmers 
generate some of the highest quality produce in the world. We are 
thrilled to recognize Mrs. Whitaker for her continuation of that 
tradition.
  Again, congratulations to Mrs. Whitaker for winning this prestigious 
award.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me today in congratulating Mrs. Faylene 
Whitaker on being named North Carolina Farmer of the Year.

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