Biographical Info

Brian Snyder is executive director of the Initiative for Food and AgriCultural Transformation (InFACT) at The Ohio State University, a position he has held since June 1, 2016. InFACT pursues holistic approaches to ensure good food for all. Its work is based on collaboration across the sciences, engineering and humanities, as well as the engagement of external partners in government and private industry. As such, he is addressing challenges along the entire value chain from field to fork, with an aim to ensure the future health of farms, the environment and consumers alike. Previously, and for over 15 years, Brian served as executive director of the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), which is considered one of the largest and most effective sustainable ag organizations in the United States. During his tenure, PASA membership grew from about 1,000 to nearly 6,000 individuals. Before moving to Pennsylvania, Brian was executive director of The William J. Gould Associates, which operates Gould Farm, a 700-acre sustainable farm and mental health treatment facility in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts, known to be America’s oldest therapeutic community of this type. Brian holds two masters’ degrees, from Harvard University (Theological Studies) and the Isenberg School of Management (Business Administration) at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. In addition to writing and speaking in a number of venues on the subject of sustainable agriculture, Brian serves on several other related boards, including as the Immediate Past President of the Pennsylvania State Council of Farm Organizations. He also serves in an advisory capacity for the Resnick Program for Food Law & Policy at UCLA in Los Angeles.