Ryan Snyder is the newest addition to the West Virginia University Extension team in Berkeley County, where he recently began as the agriculture and natural resources agent-in-training and visiting instructor.
Snyder will work with farmers and landowners to enhance their production and management skills to improve the profitability and sustainability of their farm businesses and local food endeavors. He will focus on implementing a comprehensive Extension program in agriculture and natural resources, specifically in agribusiness, consumer horticulture, local foods, and agritourism.
Snyder grew up being involved in both 4-H and FFA in the Eastern Panhandle, so this role is not unfamiliar territory. He cites this influence as one of the determining factors for where he wanted his life to take him.
“I grew up in 4-H and FFA, and I knew that what I wanted to do with my life was very similar to the stuff that impacted me growing up,” Snyder said. “I sold livestock at the county fair and the folks that were out there buying livestock-- regular, everyday people-- they gave a lot to me when I was growing up, and that meant a lot to me. I knew that I wanted to be able to find a way to do that, to give back in some way, and this seemed to me like the way to do it.”
This principle of giving back has guided Snyder on his journey, bouncing around ideas for what to study in college. He considered multiple paths but landed on a bachelor’s in agribusiness management from the WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, with minors in agriculture and natural resources law, environmental economics, and economics.
After graduation, Snyder began working as a program assistant at the Jefferson County WVU Extension office, helping out with everything from agriculture programming, 4-H camps and community development. He then began working at the Jefferson County Development Authority, serving as the agriculture development coordinator and, later, a program manager.
In these positions, Snyder gained unique experience and skills that he is excited to bring with him to his new role as an agriculture and natural resources Extension agent.
“I always knew that I wanted to help people figure out how to get their small businesses off the ground and achieve their dreams,” said Snyder. “I want to make a difference where it matters. Being able to help people is something I’ve always been interested in, and I knew I would be able to do that with Extension. That’s always been my goal, ever since I was a kid.”
Snyder looks forward to meeting people in the community, learning about what they need, and then putting together programming that addresses those needs. He will work in all areas of agriculture, including agritourism, local foods development, farm estate and transition planning, and more.
“Our agriculture and natural resources program plays a crucial role for communities across the state, and our Extension faculty are committed to supporting these communities in achieving their goals,” Ronnie Helmondollar, director of WVU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources, said. “Ryan brings a skill set and experiences to the table that will support the Extension mission and assist producers in managing the diversity of agricultural enterprises in Berkeley County.”
If you want to learn about WVU Extension, visit extension.wvu.edu or follow @WVUExtension on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.
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CONTACT: Sydney Keener
Communications Specialist
WVU Division for Land-Grant Engagement
304-293-8986; Sydney.keener@mail.wvu.edu