Farm Family of the Day, sponsored by Tractor Supply Co., is a program that recognizes one standout farm family each day of the N.C. State Fair. To honor these families’ accomplishments and contributions to North Carolina agriculture, they are awarded tickets to attend the fair on a day of their choosing, where they will be recognized through PA announcements and signs on the fairgrounds.
Today, the N.C. State Fair and Tractor Supply Co. congratulate Lumberton’s Jack Pait Strawberry Farm, established in the late ’70s by Jack Pait, who passed the farm down to his son, Ron Pait, in the mid-’90s.
As of 2015, the farm is owned by Jack’s grandsons, Wade Maness and Gregg Pait. Wade and Gregg are proud to be third-generation farmers working to raise the fourth.
Since the beginning, strawberries and blueberries have been the main crops on the farm. In fact, many of the berry bushes still on the farm today were planted by Jack Pait himself in the early ’80s. Over the past five years, the farm has expanded its variety of crops, which now include onions, watermelon, cantaloupes, blackberries, honey, boiled peanuts, jam and various vegetables.
“Our families have all grown up out here,” Gregg said. “We’ve played in the dirt, fished in the ponds, learned to work together, helped others and hosted parties, pig pickings and even a funeral on the farm. It’s a place that grounds our family to our local community and the county at large.”
Jack Pait Strawberry Farm offers “you-pick” events where people of all ages can come to the farm to pick berries and make memories. Additionally, there’s a “kids-pick-free” promotion to provide a fun and affordable family experience.
“The farm has always been a place to teach the next generation practical applications for theoretical knowledge,” Wade said. “Math, science and engineering are all subjects required to be a successful farmer. You must have grit and can’t be afraid to sweat. It’s not an easy job, but that’s what makes it rewarding!”
Jack Pait Strawberry Farm is truly a family affair. Wade and Gregg’s wives, Laura Maness and Allison Pait, two women who didn’t grow up farming, have embraced the lifestyle and contributed immensely to the farm’s efforts.
Wade’s son, Spencer, has worked on the farm for the last five years in addition to his full-time job and now brings his son, Jaxon, so he can play in the dirt just like he did when he was little. Gregg’s two sons, William and Matthew, help prune and sell berries during breaks from school.
“The farm itself is almost a member of the family,” Gregg said. “Everyone is involved in its care, and we couldn’t do it without the support of our family.”
The families also use the farm to give back to the community. They’ve established the Patrick Pait Memorial Scholarship in honor of their late brother, which supports Robeson County students pursuing higher education. They fund the scholarship by selling honey, jam, barbecue plates and by hosting their annual “World’s Shortest Strawberry Parade,” an event that’s been held for the past 15 years.
Additionally, the Pait and Maness families donate food to local food banks, nursing homes, soup kitchens and Camp Monroe — a Scotland County camp where the brothers and their kids have stayed over the summers.
“From the Robeson County Fair and the Carolina Classic in Winston-Salem to the granddaddy of them all, the N.C. State Fair, we’ve always enjoyed fairs,” Wade said. “We look forward to taking the kids to ride rides, see the animals and, of course, eat the food!”
Jack Pait Strawberry Farm has entered many fair exhibits, including classic watermelons, jams, honey, strawberry wine and watermelon rind pickle competitions, even taking home blue ribbons in the jam and watermelon rind pickle categories.
Being named a Farm Family of the Day is a great honor for Jack Pait Strawberry Farm, and they appreciate the support of Tractor Supply Co. in sponsoring the event and supporting farms across the state.
Congratulations to Jack Pait Strawberry Farm! Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Farm Family of the Day feature.