In 1947, Earl began harvesting with a five foot Allis Chalmer drag type combine and a Farmall tractor. He began his first harvest in Texas and finished in Kansas. The following year, Earl married Ellen and they immediately began harvesting together.

Accommodations and equipment were somewhat limited during the first few years. Earl sold his car to purchase a self propelled Massey Harris combine. Conditions improved gradually each year and most of the profit was reinvested to help build the harvesting business.

Earl and Ellen are charter members of the USCHI. They attended the first meeting in Canyon, Texas along with their children. At age 72, earl is still active in both the USCHI organization and the harvest. Earl's passion for the business has not waned. You only have to talk to him for a few minutes to know that his hobbies and his livelihood are the same. Earl and Ellen are true custom harvesters by any definition.

The nomination for Earl & Ellen Evans was submitted by Travis, Earlene and Kari Cigainero. Earlene is a daughter of the Evans'.

The history of the Evans and announcement of their induction was read by their daughter-in-law Leslie Evans at the Sioux Falls convention.