East Sandhills District
2026 DISTRICT MEETING
“Blooms and Butterflies”
DATE: MARCH 3,2026
FRESHWATER ECOLOGY COMPLEX
3742 N Williston Rd
Florence SC
Butterflies… “Come learn with me”
EAST SANDHILLS DISTRICT DIRECTOR,
ELIZABETH TOLSON
Growing up in a farm family in Orangeburg, SC, I have always had a love for agriculture, the environment, and teaching. When I was in high school, I knew I wanted to teach, but just didn’t know what I could teach. As a high school freshman, I took my first Agri-Science class, and I was hooked. When I was a senior in high school, my FFA Advisor and Agriculture Educator encouraged me to combine my passions and become an Agriculture Educator. I attended Clemson University where I received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education with an inferences in Animal Science and then followed up with a Master’s Degree in Agriculture Education with an inferences in Food Science and Food Safety and Special Education. I began my teaching journey at Chesterfield High School where I taught Animal Science classes. After three years, I was called to teach at the Lee County Career and Technology Center which only had a Horticulture Program. I didn’t know much about Horticulture, but I was up for the challenge. Within my first year teaching in Lee County, I was invited to my first Bishopville Garden Club Meeting. The Ladies were welcoming and had a wealth of gardening knowledge that they were willing to share. Together we have grown as gardeners and community members. 
At the Lee County Career and Technology Center, I teach two pathways Horticulture and Plant and Animal Systems. We have a garden area, greenhouse, pasture area, equipment area, and shop/lab area. For the animal side, the students and I care for 9 goats, 20 chickens, 3 rabbits, and 2 dogs. Our greenhouse grows fall and spring plants for sale as well as houses student research projects. The students and I grow fall and spring vegetables to share with members of our community and are working toward our GAP certification. We are also in the process of adding fruit and nut trees to help educate the community and provide access to healthy food products. Together we are working to improve our gardening skills, improve our community, and grow as future leaders.
Most of this would not be possible without the support of my husband. He is always willing to lend a hand with any crazy ideas that I have. His passion for agriculture, horticulture, and agriculture education is stronger than mine some days. He loves serving our community at the Bishopville Water Department by making sure we have safe clean water for our city.
Through the Bishopville Garden Club I have grown from being a Chapter Chaplin to serving as the East Sandhills District Scholarship Committee Chairman, East Sandhills District Youth Committee Chairman, and the East Sandhills Horticulture Committee Chairman. Currently, I serve as the President of the Bishopville Garden Club and I am looking forward to serving as the East Sandhills Assistant Director. I hope that with the help of my fellow garden club members we can make a positive difference in our home, community, region, and state. The love of gardening has brought us together and together we can make a difference
TERRI BROWN
Driven by a passion for horticulture and a desire to enhance our communities, I am thrilled to embark on this journey as the garden club assistant director for East Sandhills District.
I live in Florence, South Carolina also known as the “Magic City”. The city of Florence received this name by the turn of the century due to its prospering growth. Through the years I have enjoyed volunteering for numerous non-profit organizations in my community.
My love for gardening was instilled at an early age by my Grandparents. My Grandfather worked in the gold mines in Alaska during the great depression. In doing so he was able to send my Grandmother $2000.00 dollars. My Grandmother was supposed to buy tickets for herself and her three daughters to Alaska but instead my Grandmother took the money and bought 350 acres of timber and farmland in southern Georgia. My Grandmother said she would rather be warm and starve than cold and starve. My Grandfather came back to Georgia where they worked and made a beautiful farm. I learned lots of skills from them both that I still use today.
I retired from the mortgage banking industry 10 years ago and helped my husband Mike start a Heating, Air, and Electrical company. A few years ago we retired from the business and just enjoy spending time with our Children and Grandchildren. We also both love gardening together.
I look forward to the next few years with enthusiasm. I know there is lots of knowledge we all can share. I look forward to learning about the projects and programs from each of the clubs. Alway remember your dedication and hard work makes your clubs thrive, and your contributions to the communities are invaluable.
CLUB SPONSORED YOUTH CLUBS
Organization(Grade/Student#) Sponsoring Garden Club
Bishopville’s Little Sprouts (K-8 /14) Bishopville GC
Lee County Career & TechCenter(9-12 /18 Bishopville GC
East Sandhills District Federated Garden Clubs:
500ES- Azalea Garden Club, Sumter
582ES- Azalea Home and Garden Club, Effingham and Florence
280ES- Bishopville Garden Club, Bishopville
451ES- Darlinton Garden Club, Darlington
461ES- Forget-Me-Not Garden Club, Florence
110ES- Four O’Clock Garden Club, Florence
519ES- Lee Gardeners Garden Club, Lynchburg
308ES- Pageland Garden Clu, Pageland
042ES- Pine Haven Garden Club, Florence
120ES- Poinsett-Bland Garden Club, Sumter
566ES- Quinby Garden Club, Quinby
363ES- Sunflower Garden Club, Bennettsville
031ES- Wildwood Garden Club, Florence
Councils:
C05ES- Florence Garden Club Coucil, INC
C11ES- The Council of Garden Clubs of Sumter, Inc.
