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South Carolina Farmer Named Sunbelt Expo Southeast Farmer of the Year

South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner

Media Contacts: Clint Leach; jcleach@scda.sc.gov; 803-734-2210

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 17, 2018

South Carolina Farmer Named Sunbelt Expo Southeast Farmer of the Year

Ridge Spring’s Kevin Yon recognized for outstanding leadership in industry

COLUMBIA –  Commissioner Hugh Weathers and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture are proud to announce Kevin Yon of Yon Family Farms (Ridge Spring, SC) has been named the 2018 Swisher Sweets Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year. This prestigious honor is awarded annually to one deserving farmer from a ten-state Southeastern region during the Sunbelt Agriculture Exposition in Moultrie, Georgia.

“Kevin exemplifies South Carolina agriculture to the core and I’m very pleased his leadership in the state’s largest industry was recognized,” said Commissioner Weathers. “Receiving this recognition is a tremendous honor and I couldn’t be happier for Kevin and the entire Yon Family Farms operation.”

Yon, a first-generation Angus breeder, has become a leader in the beef industry with more than 4,000 acres in Ridge Spring, South Carolina. He and his wife Lydia have expanded their operation to include soybeans, pecans and a retail store dedicated to selling pecans and South Carolina-grown products.

“I believe in farming because it makes all of this possible.” Said Kevin Yon at yesterday’s Expo. “Our farm is truly a family operation and anyone in South Carolina that knows us, knows my wife is more deserving of this honor than me.”

Commissioner Hugh Weathers and members of the Yon family joined Kevin today in Moultrie, Georgia for the presentation. The Yons’ three children, Sally, Drake and Corbin, and their spouses are involved in the daily operation of the family farm.

For more information on the Swisher Sweets Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year please visit SunbeltExpo.com/FOTY.

To learn more about Kevin Yon and the Yon Family Farms, please visit YonFamilyFarms.com.

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South Carolina Farmer Named Sunbelt Expo Southeast Farmer of the Year Press Release (PDF)

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