Harold Snyder

Harold Snyder of Dardanelle became widely recognized in Arkansas and nationwide for his work in the poultry industry and in economic development for the city of Dardanelle, Yell County and the entire state of Arkansas. Growing up on a Carroll County hill farm, Mr. Snyder exhibited his leadership abilities early by becoming president of the state FFA organization in 1933. He attended college at Arkansas Tech, where he was president of the student body, and the University of Arkansas, from which he earned a degree in Agricultural Business & Finance. Mr. Snyder came to Dardanelle, Arkansas, as an agri teacher in 1939. After service in the Navy from 1944-1946, he returned to Dardanelle where he entered the feed business in 1947, starting with three employees and developing his business into a million dollar concern in only five years. Mr. Snyder is credited with originating the broiler industry in the Arkansas River Valley. While he was president of Arkansas Valley Industries Inc., the company pioneered new concepts of broiler business activities including mergers, acquisition of feed dealerships, hatcheries and processing plants. Under his leadership, AVI attracted much interest as the first wholly integrated broiler company to “go public” for additional financing. As president of the Arkansas River Basin Association, Mr. Synder led the effort to make the Arkansas River navigable. He served the Dardanelle and state Chambers of Commerce, the West Central Arkansas Economic Development District, the National Broiler Council and the Arkansas Feed Manufacturer’s Association, just to name a few.