Dedication to Ann Snyder, written by Katrina Van Dis

Staff at HDFFA recently learned about the passing of Ann Snyder. Ann was a valuable member of the Central Oregon farming and ranching community and beyond; as a founding board member of the group that would become HDFFA and who even recently was greatly involved in work to build resilience into our food system with the Madras Saturday Market.

Founder and previous Executive Director of HDFFA, Katrina Van Dis, spent time reflecting on her relationship with Ann and Ann’s contributions, generosity, and kindness. Read on.

If you begin to stray past the towns and cities of Central Oregon, you will discover a vast landscape of grasses, junipers, basalt formations and canyons. North of the town of madras Madras by about 30 miles is Ashwood, technically a ghost town. The region was first inhabited by the Native American Sahaptin and Northern Paiute peoples who were forced to move to the Warm Spring Indian Reservation in 1850.  Sheep ranching became the main industry and later a gold and silver mining boomtown in the early 1900’s.  Today’s population, according to Western Mining History, is “a few”. 

This is where Ann Synder and her husband, Bing Bingham, started White Diamond Ranch.  I first met Ann at a Madras Farmers Market meeting in 2008, along with other residents determined to make Madras a destination for local food and goods.  I remember Ann, clear as day, saying what needed to be done and who was going to do it.  At the time, I was working for COIC and had recently received a USDA grant to support the region’s farmers markets by purchasing credit card machines to accept what at that time was the Oregon Trail card (food stamps or SNAP), and to provide marketing support.

Ann owned and operated White Diamond Rach and was a founding board member of what was then the Central Oregon Food Policy Council, now HDFFA, and was always reminding us that there are people living on the outskirts of the city centers who need and want support in the food system.  Ann’s directness coupled with her intense care and support firmly planted me on her side as a supporter.  Ann and I worked to bring the Madras Saturday Market to the forefront of the community, which is one of the more pleasant and restful markets in the region offering pop-up markets throughout the year and in the Winter.

I continued to work with Ann as I transitioned into the role as Executive Director and Founder of HDFFA, always seeking her guidance on how to incorporate the rural needs into the framework of the organization.  Ann worked tirelessly to support her community and is one of the most generous souls that I have met.

What I remember most about Ann was her love for the “critters”. She would get up anytime of the day to ensure they were safe, loved and cared for.  Though Ann had a disability this never kept her from doing what she wanted, when she wanted.   Ann’s passing is a reminder of the delicate nature of being human.  

I received a call from her husband this past week who spent time reminiscing with me about moments that were shared with Ann and her true kindness.  Throughout my time in the Central Oregon farming and ranching community, I have met so many wonderful people.  Ann was one of two of the most beautiful, feisty, and loving women who had a profound impact on me, HDFFA and our farming and ranching community: Ann Synder of White Diamond Ranch and Kathi Miller of Fresh Start Farms. I extend my gratitude to these wise and wonderful women of farming.  

We will miss you Ann Synder,
Katrina