History of NJHA
Grant Snyder - Biography
Grant Snyder began his association with the NJHA since 1935, when he organized and conducted the first judging contest as part of the program of the Vegetable Growers Association of America. His was the responsibility to conduct the administrative work o fthe Association and Foundation during the early years. However, his is the first to specify that the development of NJGVA/NJHA to its present place as a recognized and respected youth organization is only possible because of the interest, help, and hard work of many, many people.
NJVGA/NJHA offered to Professor Snyder that extra something that spices up life and gives a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. The long hours of hard work, the worries, the problems, the responsibility to obtain financial support have been more then counter-balanced by watching the development and achievements of members and by the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people in all sections of the nation.
Grant Snyder was born and raised on a vegetable farm in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada where he was first introduced into the many complex problems involved in growing and marketing. As a youngster he was inquisitive and studious. He wanted to know the ‘why’ and ‘what’ made plants grow and what factors were involved in determining quality vegetables.
After high school he entered the Ontario Agricultural College, at that time a unit of Toronto University, from which he received his BSA degree in 1922. His Master’s degree was awarded at Michigan State University in 1931. In 1922 he was appointed instructor in Olericulture at the Massachusetts Agricultural College. He became professor in 1935 and head of the Olericulture section. He was named head of the department of Horticulture in 1961.
His desire for research and experimentation, his family’s quiet life was often turned into turmoil by some of his more spectacular projects.
Professor Snyder was one of the first scientists to conduct research on icing sweet corn and in prepackaging vegetables. He was a pioneer in the early 1930’s in organizing and conducting schools for retailers in the proper handling and merchandizing of produce. He was part of the small team that organized the Massachusetts Federation of Vegetable Growers, the Connecticut Valley Produce Growers, and the Agricultural Committee of the Pioneer Valley Association. Numerous other local and state organizations have had his help with production and marketing problems to vegetable crops. Over the years has published bulletins and features in trade journals.
Professor Snyder is probably best known for his work with the National Junior Vegetable Growers Association (now the National Junior Horticultural Association). Over the years, many thousands of young people from all sections of the nation have participated in the educational projects sponsored by the Association. A very high percentage of these youth have attained careers in the horticultural field, in government, industry, research, teaching, and extension work.