Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

Meet East Tennessee farmer Terry Snyder and find out why he says he’s always been a part of the farm.

What did you enjoy most about growing up on the farm?

I loved going to the stockyard with my father and grandfather. The activity and the people and the way the cattle go through, I just always loved being a part of it as a kid. I’d say almost 90% of my education came from that place.

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How did you become involved full time with the farm?

I was always a part of the farm. I don’t think I’d ever say I took over the farm; I was just always a part of it. I loved raising cattle and I always knew what I wanted to do. I love the buying and the selling of cattle and especially watching them grow. It really was a natural transition on our farm.

See more: Meet West Tennessee Farmer Brenda Baker

How has your farm grown over the years?

When I was growing up, green beans were the cash crop. There were more green beans grown in Johnson County than anywhere else in the world. And we grew them, but they eventually faded out because of the difficulty of getting labor. Then we grew fruits, vegetables and also burley tobacco. There have been cattle on the farm for as long as I have been here, and now we just farm cattle, feeder calves really, and hay. Here in East Tennessee, there’s just so much pastureland that it really makes sense for our farm.

Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

What do you love about farming?

The independence of it for sure – being able to do more or less of what you want to do. You have more say-so in farming than a normal job, and I know that because I have worked several other jobs. I thoroughly enjoy getting out on the land and watching the cattle graze, and it’s like someone told me a little while ago: Diesel therapy is pretty good. 

What do you see for the future of your industry?

The future of agriculture is bright. Things are going to change just like they have in the past. There’s been a lot of bad stuff coming up with the pandemic, but I hope it will wake some people up and help give the farmers a little recognition for what they do. That might be one good thing that comes out of all of this.

Are you Farm Bureau proud?

I am Farm Bureau proud. I would hate to be in agriculture without Farm Bureau. I can talk all I want, but when you take all the members of our organization, it really makes a difference. Last summer I went to Washington, D.C., with a group, and it was clear the congressman and their field staff listen to Farm Bureau. They pay attention to what we say, and that’s important. One or two people can’t do that.

– Amy Beckham