Evelyn Edmunds, 1946
Evelyn Edmunds
Mrs. Evelyn Gettys Edmunds left the halls of Clover High School in 1946 to do amazing things to support and improve agriculture at the local, state, and national level. After marrying her high school sweetheart in 1949, she and her husband started a turkey farm in Clover and set their sights on building a family that would eventually include six children. The turkey farm was successful for them, but in 1968 Evelyn obtained 15 head of Angus cows and her focus shifted from turkey farming to breeding and raising Angus cattle. About that same time, Evelyn joined the South Carolina Angus Association and became an active member, serving as director, secretary and voting delegate to the North American Livestock Exposition. Evelyn also helped form the South Carolina Junior Angus Association in 1968 and was one of the Junior advisors for many years. She joined the American Auxiliary in 1980 and served on the scholarship committee as the membership chairperson. In 1984, Evelyn was honored as the National Junior Angus Association Junior Advisor of the Year. Evelyn ws honored later, in 1986, by the South Carolina Angus Association as the first award recipient of the Carolina Angus Futurity, an award given to one who has contributed to the success of the organization and the Angus breed. In March 2007, Evelyn was inducted into the Angus Futurity Hall of Fame and the South Carolina Angus Futurity was dedicated to her for her 17 years of service.
Evelyn Edmunds became active in cattle and farm groups during a time when only men served in such organizations and was the first woman to hold leadership positions with the South Carolina Cattlemen's Association. She served in many organizations at the state level and was the first woman director and treasurer of the South Carolina Cattlemen's Association, director and secretary of the South Carolina Angus Association, delegate for the South Carolina Poultry Commission, and director and financial services chair for the South Carolina Farm Bureau. On a national level, Evelyn was a delegate for the American Angus Association for eleven years. In 2015, Evelyn was presented the Order of the Palmetto on behalf of Governor Nikki Haley.
At the local level, Evelyn has served on the Board of Directors of York County Farm Bureau and the York County Cattlemens' Association. In addition, she has served on the Farm Service Agency board and has been a member of the Clemson Extension Advisory Council. She served as a commissioner for the York Soil and Water Conservation District for 18 years and was named Commissioner Emeritus in 2014. In 1981, Evelyn was chosen as an honorary member of the Clemson Block and Bridal Club. Evelyn served as York County 4-H Livestock club leader for 23 years. Her work in 4-H and the Junior Angus Association has encouraged many young people to pursue farming.
Most people in the South Carolina agricultural area have been touched by Evelyn Edmunds over the years. She has certainly been instrumental in elevating agriculture in the eyes of legislators and other civic leaders.
