JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (AP)--Tractors have always been a part of James "Jimmy" Gillette's life. As a matter of fact, the Stella farmer has been driving tractors since he was 6, under strict supervision of course.

"(Farming) is just something we enjoy doing," said Jimmy. "I grew up with it. My tractors are like memories that take me back to when I was young."

Jimmy, now 57, remembers his very first tractor: a red Ford pedal tractor. Throughout the years, this type of machinery has become a love and a hobby to Jimmy. Each one, whether antique or utilitarian, is a reminder of what his family has worked so hard to achieve.

"I was 14 when I got my own real tractor," said Jimmy. "My father let me have some land that I grew some soybeans and watermelons on."

Not many 6-year-olds know what they want to be when they grow up, but for him, there was no doubt about it. He was going to be a farmer like his father and grandfather before him had been. Last month, this third generation farmer was presented the Master Farmer Award at the Onslow County Cooperative Extension's 2005 Agricultural Awards Banquet for his longevity as a farmer and his devotion to land and cultivation.

Travis Tyndall, owner of Royster Clark Inc., who has been selling farming supplies to the Gillettes for nearly 30 years, won the Service to Agriculture Award in 2002. As part of the nominated party, Tyndall said he chose Jimmy because of his loyalty and the evident satisfaction he and his family have felt from running their farm for more than 80 years.

"(James) is a hard worker who's dedicated to his farm," said Tyndall. "A Master Farmer's first love has to be farming, and the Gillettes have always been excellent farmers and good people."

Jimmy's father, John, 80, was born on the Gillette farm in 1924. The son of a farmer, John was learning about farm life as soon as he was old enough to play in the dirt. Just as he had been, John introduced his son Jimmy to farming at an early age. By the time he entered high school, Jimmy already knew firsthand the ins and outs of farming in Onslow County. At White Oak High School, he studied agriculture and became active in the Future Farmers of America club.

Later, at North Carolina State University, Jimmy read up on the science of farming, from soils to fertility to types of crop diseases. In 1968, Jimmy returned to the farm with a head full of knowledge and a heart prepared to claim his birthright. That year he won the Young Farmers Award for his four tractors and the 63 acres of farmland he had just bought.

Today, Jimmy and his family own 21 tractors and nearly 1,000 acres of land, not to mention the 1,000 acres of leased land they tend as well.

"(Farming) just came natural to me," said Jimmy. "I grew up doing it and it's in my blood."

Soon after Jimmy returned from college he met his future wife, Kay, who, looking back, remembered how she said she would never marry a farmer. After 37 years of marriage, she wouldn't trade it for the world.

"We're a very close-knit family," said Kay, 56. "And I feel very thankful for that."

Each year, the Agricultural Hall of Fame, which consists of past Master Farmer and Service to Agriculture Award winners, chooses another leader of the farming community to receive the award. Jimmy's father, John, was the first to receive such recognition in 1984, the same year in which Onslow County's Cooperative Extension was established. By that time, John had already been working the same land on which his grandson does now for over 40 years; the Chamber of Commerce also bestowed a young farmer award to John in the fifties.

"(Master Farmer awards) are for respected farmers in the community," said John. "They've got to be good farmers, good neighbors and just all around good people."

Master Farmers like John and his son take special pride in their jobs, just as those before them have done for hundreds of years. By using earth-friendly practices such as no-till farming, annual soil-testing and crop rotation, the Gillette men are known not only for their successful crop yields but for their stewardship to the land as well.

Unfortunately, many local farms are fading out and falling to development. Even local tobacco farmers like the Gillettes are feeling the pinch of a global market economy. It is becoming harder and harder to maintain a stable income as a farmer, according to Tyndall.

"It's a lot harder than it was 20 years ago," said Tyndall. "Now you have a lot more land to farm but get the same amount of profit. It's a lot more challenging than it's ever been. It says a lot to be farming as long as (the Gillettes) have and to still be doing things so well."

The recent tobacco buyout is one example of how times are changing for small family farms like the Gillettes. Contracts with tobacco companies allow farmers to grow however much of whatever type of tobacco they want but are exposing them to lower purchasing prices in the process, according to John. He has received roughly 50 cents less per pound since last year.

"And if (the tobacco company) doesn't want to buy it, that's really bad," said John.

"Used to be you'd just get on your tractor, grow it and sell it," said Jimmy. "It's a lot different now. Now you've got to contract it, grow it, and hopefully it sells. It's a lot more business now-it's a hard job and it takes time."

In addition to tobacco, the Gillette farm boasts a variety of crops--anything from Wheat to soybeans--and according to Jimmy's son Blair, every year is different depending on what's forecasted to sell.

"This year's outlook isn't so good for corn or beans or tobacco either this year," said Blair, 33. He hopes their grain and sod yields reveal more favorable results.

An ever-varying array of crops is the key to turning a profit, said Kay, and with more and more farms giving way to subdivisions, the Gillette are turning to sod to make some money. They started their centipede sod farm a few years ago and this type of turf grass seems to be a staple for fast-paced contractors.

"We have to diversify more and more every year," said Kay. "Whether or not our grandkids will be doing this depends on the cost effectiveness of it in Onslow. (Our farm) may be subdivisions by then; you just don't know."

A farmer's life is not all contracts and business affairs, however. On the contrary, Jimmy and Kay share a love for two things: everything that grows and living an anything but dull life. Kay, who handles the ordering and other business matters on the farm, believes the one aspect of their life that has been steadfast is their commitment to eat lunch and dinner together as a family every day. That, and her ability to raise both her children and grandchildren throughout the years on the same farm, is a constant she feels very fortunate to possess.

"It's something not everyone can say they do and that's sad," said Kay. "Our life is all about family and friends."

Today's farmers play a number of parts. No longer just family-man and harvester, all three Gillette men have learned to be mechanics, welders, biologists, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, machine operators, veterinarians, and of course, shrewd businessmen.

With the recent birth of a fourth-generation grandson, 11-month-old Tyler, sweet corn isn't the only thing springing up on the Gillette farm. As the family grows, Jimmy hopes to ensure the continuation of a deep-rooted, family tradition with the upbringing of his three grandchildren. Like his dad, Tyler's father Blair would also like to see his son following in his footsteps, but he also wants to let his son stake his own claim at life on his own terms.

"It takes a lot of responsibility to live up to what (my father and grandfather) have been doing," said Blair. "What Tyler wants to do will be up to him; it would be nice if in 20 some-odd years for us to still have some of the farm but as of right now, it's hard to say what's going to happen."

Date: 4/21/05