Resume
Richard G. Snyder

Mississippi State University
Truck Crops Research & Extension Center
P.O. Box 231
Crystal Springs, MS 39059


Birth: April 12, 1955
Phone: (601) 892-3731
Fax: (601) 892-2056
RickS@ext.msstate.edu

Contents

PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE: Employment by a university as Extension Specialist for vegetable crops, or in a tenure track position combining extension responsibilities with teaching or applied research in vegetable production; or by private industry in a comparable position.

EDUCATION:

Cornell University, Ph.D. in Vegetable Crops, Ithaca, NY. 1987. Thesis: Heat Tolerance, Growth Analysis, and Computer Simulation of Growth and Dry Matter Partitioning of the Potato Plant.

Ohio State University, M.S. in Horticulture, Columbus, OH. 1982. Thesis: Influence of Media Volume and Frequency of Watering on the Growth, Yield, and Quality of Greenhouse Tomatoes.

University of Connecticut, B.S. in Horticulture, Storrs, CT. 1976. Independent studies in interspecific relationships between crop plants and weeds; and classification, effectiveness, and proper use of pesticides.

Cambridge University, International Summer School, summer 1973. Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, England. Intensive study of English Literature.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

Extension Vegetable Specialist and Research Horticulturist, Mississippi State University, 5-88 to present, Truck Crops Experiment Station, Central Mississipppi Research & Extension Center, Crystal Springs, MS. Responsible for research in field and greenhouse vegetable crops, especially cultural practices, specialty crops, plastic and degradable mulches, trickle irrigation, cultivar trials, etc. Extension specialist for vegetable crops in southern Mississippi and greenhouse vegetables statewide. Organize and implement annual Fall Flower & Garden Fest (attendance 3-6,000), featuring 2-acre fall vegetable garden, with over 40 vegetable species, as well as extensive herb garden, 1/2 acre annual flower garden, specialty vegetables, exhibitors, etc. Organize annual Greenhouse Tomato Short Course, a 2-day intensive training for growers and County Agents with national attendance and international speakers. Publish Vegetable Press, a monthly newsletter for County Agents and commercial vegetable growers.

Post Doctoral Research Associate, Dept. of Horticulture, 3-87 to 5-88. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. Managed research program on air pollution effects (ozone, sulfur and nitrogen oxides), manganese toxicity, and magnesium deficiency on watermelon and muskmelon crops; included utilization of air quality and weather sensing equipment with computer-interfaced data logging, data management, computer programming, statistical analysis, writing for publications, and related information concerning above research as well general culture of vegetable crops to farmers in southwest Indiana. Research Assistant, Dept. of Vegetable Crops, 1-83 to 3-87. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Conducted research on heat tolerance of potatoes using growth chambers and an artificially heated greenhouse; collected growth analysis data from 6 varieties of potato using sequential, destructive harvests during growing season, both in greenhouses and in field; refined and improved an explanatory, physiological simulation model of potato growth; conducted theoretical experiments with this computer model.

Research Assistant, Department of Horticulture, 1-81 to 11-82. Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center, Ohio State University, Wooster, OH. Conducted research on the cultural practice of using polyethylene bags for the root container of greenhouse tomatoes; research involved varying watering frequency and size of bag for root volume; collected weather data in greenhouse (temp., light, CO2, relative humidity) and maintained sensors and data logging equipment.

Horticulture Research Technician, 1-80 to 12-80. Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Dept. of Horticulture, Wooster, OH. Collected and analyzed plant biomass and environmental data for project in energy conservation for greenhouses. Managed and maintained data logging equipment for weather data in this project. Crops included greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers, and various floriculture crops; conducted research tours of greenhouse experiments for visitors.

Agriculture Marketing Inspector, 7-77 to 12-79. CT Dept. of Agriculture, Marketing Division, Hartford, CT. Gathered wholesale market prices for fruits and vegetables at Hartford Regional Market, and broadcasted prices over live radio. Performed USDA licensed inspection of potatoes, milk, cheese, butter, eggs, frozen poultry, and corn, and state inspection of animal feeds, seeds, and fertilizers.

Assistant State Gardens Coordinator, 1-77 to 6-77. CT Dept. of Agriculture, Hartford, CT. Established community gardens on state land throughout CT. Acted as technical advisor to local coordinators of community gardens; wrote literature to support the program.

AFFILIATIONS:

Southern Region ASHS John E. Hutchinson Young Extension Professional Award Committee, 1998-2004.

Horticulture Program Review Steering Committee, Coordinator Fruits, Nuts, & Vegetables, 1997-1998.

Chairman, Vegetable Program Action Team (PAT), 1998.

Chair, Extension Section, Southern Region of American Society for Horticultural Science, 1999-2000

Chair-Elect, Extension Section, Southern Region of American Society for Horticultural Science, 1998-1999

Chairman, Nominating Committee, American Society for Plasticulture, 1997-1998.

Search Committee for Director, Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service, 1996

Associated Group Representative on the board of the American Society for Horticultural Science, representing the American Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association, since 1993.

Chairman, Vegetable Subcommittee, Mississippi Weed Science Committee, 1995-1996.

Board of Directors, American Society for Plasticulture, 1994-1998.

Section Chair for Vegetables, American Society for Horticultural Science - Southern Region, 1994-95.

Nominating Committee, American Society for Plasticulture, 1993-1994.

Chairman, Nominating Committee, American Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association, 1993-1994.

Board of Directors of American Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association, since 1992.

Secretary of American Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association, since 1992.

All-America Selections Committee, Vegetable Judge, 1990 to present.

Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents, 1993-1995.

Mississippi Weed Science Committee

Mississippi Vegetable Program Action Team

Mississippi Program Action Team Subcommittee for Greenhouse Vegetables, Chairman

American Society for Plasticulture

American Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association

American Society for Horticultural Science

Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists

Southern Region of American Society for Horticultural Science

Mississippi Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association

Mississippi Greenhouse Growers Association

Texas Greenhouse Growers Council

Louisiana Greenhouse Growers Association

CT Horticulture Society (past membership chairman)

Alpha Zeta Honors Fraternity (past vice president in Connecticut)

Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity (past social chairman in Connecticut)

Gamma Sigma Delta Honors Fraternity

HONORS:

2000 Blue Ribbon Award for Best Extension Publication, American Society for Horticultural Science - Southern Region, for 1999 Commercial Vegetable Recommendations - A Regional Publication With North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, January 1999, Publication AG-586.

2000 Blue Ribbon Award for Best Extension Publication, American Society for Horticultural Science - Southern Region, for Organic Fruit & Vegetable Web Page, http://www.msstate.edu/dept/cmrec/organic/, June, 1999.

1997 Blue Ribbon Award for Best Extension Publication, American Society for Horticultural Science - Southern Region, for Starting Vegetable Transplants, MSU-ES Publication 1995.

1995 Hometown Hero Award, from Metro Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau; for holding Greenhouse Tomato Short Course in Jackson, MS and attracting out of state business to the Metro area.

National Winner of 1994 LESCO, Inc., Turfgrass / Horticulture Communications Award Program.

Southern Region Winner of 1994 LESCO, Inc., Turfgrass / Horticulture Communications Award Program.

State Winner of 1994 LESCO, Inc., Turfgrass / Horticulture Communications Award Program.

State Public Information Awards Program in the Feature Story Category, 1994 Second Place Winner, sponsored by Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents.

Communications Award for Newsletter, Team Award, first place winner, 1994, sponsored by Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents State Public Information Awards Program.

State Winner of Ciba-Geigy Corporation Crop Production Recognition Program Award, 1994.

1994 Blue Ribbon Award for Best Extension Publication, American Society for Horticultural Science - Southern Region, for Greenhouse Tomato Handbook, MSU-ES Publication 1828.

State Winner of Ciba-Geigy Corporation Crop Production Recognition Program Award, 1993. Search for Professional Excellence, first place Award for Farm Income - Crop Agriculture category, 1993, sponsored by Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents.

Communications Award for Newsletter, Team Award, second place winner, 1993, sponsored by Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents State Public Information Awards Program.

Communications Award for Newsletter, Individual Award, third place winner, 1993, sponsored by Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents State Public Information Awards Program.

Nominated for 1993, 1994, and 1995 Extension Specialist of the Year Award, Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Norman F. Childers Outstanding Paper Award at Northeast Regional Meeting of American Society for Horticultural Science, Jan. 11-12, 1987.

Cum Laude graduate of University of Connecticut, June 1977.

COMPUTING SKILLS:

Expertise in computers, with skills in word processing, graphics, database management, spreadsheets, electronic mail, Netscape and the internet, programming, statistical analysis, and software utilization, especially for IBM PC and MS-DOS compatibles. In addition, I operate a computer consulting business, assisting small businesses and home users with computer services (tutoring, system design, communications, installation, custom programming, troubleshooting, etc).

REFERENCES:

Dr. Richard H. Mullenax (retired), Department Head. Department of Plant & Soil Sciences, Box 9555, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762. (601) 325-2311.

Dr. Elmer E. Ewing (retired), Professor and Chairman. Department of Fruit and Vegetable Crops, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853. (607) 255-4568.

Dr. William L. Bauerle (retired), Assoc. Professor, Department of Horticulture, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691. (216) 263-3700.

Dr. James E. Simon, Assoc. Professor. Department of Horticulture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907. (317) 494-1328.

Other Pages of Interest

[Rick's Vegetable Resource Page] [Rick Snyder's Personal Home Page ]
[ Vegetable Press Newsletter ] [ Greenhouse Tomato FAQ ]

[Cooperative Extension] [Mississippi State] [Search MSU's Web]
For information about this page, contact ricks@ext.msstate.edu.
Last modified: March 30, 2000.
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution.