Share this Story : The Sarnia Observer Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Food for Thought: From arts to agriculture, James Snyder saw big picture

In past columns, I've discussed people who helped guide me, not only as a person, but also in my agriculture career. James Snyder was one.

Many of you may have read that James Snyder passed away suddenly in New Zealand, his second home. You may have no idea who he was, other than his love and involvement with local arts and culture. He truly enjoyed working with so many people who made Chatham-Kent a better place to live.

I knew James for his love for the land and for his impact in the agriculture sector, not just here in Chatham-Kent, but across Ontario and Canada and in many parts of the world.

Food for Thought: From arts to agriculture, James Snyder saw big picture Back to video

In past columns, I’ve discussed people who have helped guide me, not only as a person, but also in my agriculture career. James Snyder was one of them.

James was very proud of his British heritage. During my last visit, he took me through his downtown Chatham apartment, showing me every square foot — each of which had something of value to James.

I met James when I started working for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. I was working with Ron Anderson, our agriculture specialist, with whom James worked closely trying to expand and add value to our agriculture sector. When Ron retired, James and I worked together on many projects.

James was unique. Very intelligent and learned, he talked faster than my brain could keep up with. In our first meeting, he spoke so fast, I ended up with a headache.

Facts and information just flowed out of him. He was not trying to show off. He just saw the bigger picture and envisioned so many opportunities for growth and expansion in so many areas.

James would read eight to 10 newspapers a day. He looked beyond the words in an article. He saw things in his mind he felt really could work and could make a difference in agriculture.

He wrote hundreds of government grant applications for the cultural sector, non-profit organizations, and for the agriculture sector.

It takes special people to know what various levels of government are looking for when they grant companies and organizations money to help them grow and develop their sector.

James did not embellish anything. He wrote what was true and what was needed.  And he helped bring millions of dollars to sustain, grow and develop many

I worked with James on many of these applications, and I was always in awe of his big-picture thinking and way with words.

James was part of a team that helped bring the ethanol plant to Chatham. James was instrumental in Agri-Development Kent, which later became Chatham-Kent Agri Development. James coined the phrase “We grow for the world,” which he never wanted credit for.

He envisioned a protein-producing factory long before they came into being. He saw the need for value-added soybean processing, a year-round Farmers’ Market with a drawn-up plan, truffle farming, expansion of Pawpaw trees, and more.

These were not ideas he just spouted off. These were viable, workable, and doable projects he knew could work. He was a gifted visionary who lit up when we got together to talk agriculture.

I will miss our times together, but I am truly thankful and grateful to James, who taught me to think beyond my limits and just go for it.

I, and so many others in arts, culture and agriculture, owe James Snyder so much. He was truly a memorable part of our lives, and made a significant and lasting impact. Thank you, James.

Kim Cooper has been involved in the agribusiness sector for over 45 years. You can reach him at kim.e.cooper@gmail.com

Food for Thought: Farmland disappearing at alarming rate in Ontario

Food for Thought: Research vital to future of greenhouse sector

Share this Story : The Sarnia Observer Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

© Sarnia Observer