Carolyn Kaufman Simmons of Silverton was one of 20 men and women honored in October by Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences as a 2008 Diamond Pioneer.
This is the 25th class added to the college’s Diamond Pioneer Achievement Registry, which recognizes contributions to agricultural communities and OSU made by people 74 years old and older.
Simmons was nominated by the Marion/Clackamas chapter of Oregon Women for Agriculture and cited both for her work in agriculture and for her participation in Oregon Women for Agriculture.
After graduating from Silverton High School, she first worked as a secretary for the Silver Falls Lumber Co. in Silverton before marrying Clarence Simmons. They moved to the Simmons family farm, where she still lives, while son, Bob, and his family continue the farming business.
Simmons managed the farm’s bookkeeping and helped with management duties. She became a member of Women for Agriculture in the 1970s and has remained active since. She volunteers regularly for the group’s educational activities and represents the group on the Salem Chamber of Commerce agriculture committee and the Silverton Chamber of Commerce.
She has attended national meetings of the American Agri-Women since 1978 and received the organization’s “Leaven Award,” given to those who have inspired others.
