Lester M. Evans, Lebanon

Lester Evans is a long-time successful dairy farmer and agricultural leader on the local, state and national level.

He was reared on a small farm near Buffalo, Missouri. He has farmed nearly all of his life. At present he owns and operates the Green Valley Farms consisting of some 1300 acres north of Lebanon, Missouri. There are about 135 Holsteins in the dairy herd with 515 herd of other livestock on the farm. Crops grown include 200 acres of corn and 135 acres of alfalfa. He and his wife Shirley have five children; Lowell, Noel, Craig, Brian and Sherri. He has three grandchildren. This family-farm operation includes sons Noel and Craig with active help from Shirley. Mr. Evans has marketed milk through Mid-America Dairymen for over 25 years.

His leadership activities include Member of the Corporate Board of Directors Mid-America Dairymen and he has served as a Director of the Southern Division since 1977.

In May 1988 he was appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, to serve on the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board for a three-year term. He served on the Nutrition Research and Education Committee. He was reappointed in 1989 and served as Chairman of the Nutrition and Products Research Committee and Vice Chairman of the Finance and Administration Committee. In May 1990 he was elected Chairman of the Board and re-elected to that position in 1991. He has proved to be a capable leader and administrator in this key dairy position.

He is President of the Producers Exchange Board at Lebanon. He served as President of the Laclede County DHIA for 17 years and was on the Dairy Advisory Committee for the University of Missouri for several years. Among other offices held include: Member of the Executive Committee, St. Louis District Dairy Council; Director of Midland UDIA and he serves as Chairman of the Southern Division Advertising and Promotion Committee; President, Board of Directors for MFA at Lebanon.

Mr. Evans has long been active in the 4-H and FFA programs and is a member of the Laclede County Fair Board and plays a prominent role in community affairs. Mr. Evans is to be commended for his leadership and unselfish effort in behalf of the dairy industry.