Jim is a fifth-generation farmer of the family owned and operated Trinity Farms, in McGehee, Arkansas. Jim along with his brother Sam, produce rice, cotton, soybeans, and corn. Their family farm dates to 1890.

Presently, Jim is a member of the Arkansas Rice Farmers Board, Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board, USA Rice Farmers Conservation Committee, USA Rice Sustainability Committee, USA Rice Domestic Promotion Committee, USA Rice Foundation, and USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors.

Jim's awards and achievements include but are not limited to: 1993 Graduate of the Arkansas Army Military Academy, 2001 Whitaker brothers named Desha County Farm Family of the Year, 2010 Graduate of USA Rice Leadership Program, 2012 Rice Farmer of the Year, 2014 National Rice Conservationist of the Year, 2016 Whitaker Farms recognized as first farmers globally to sell carbon credits for rice, 2017 recipient USA Rice Sustainability Award.

Jim's passion for conservation and sustainability go hand in hand for his love of the land; but the things Jim is most grateful for is his relationship with God, family, hunting, boating, traveling, and spending time with friends.

Jim and his wife Lesli have been married for 28 years. They have two children, Jessica Whitaker Allen, and Scott David Whitaker.