Block and Bridle

Block & Bridle Honoree

J. Alan (Al) Snedegar grew up near Rushville, Indiana, on a small livestock and grain farm. In high school, he was active in both 4-H and FFA. In addition to exhibiting swine and beef on the national level, he raised and sold Hampshire breeding stock. Mr. Snedegar earned his B.S. degree from Purdue University in Animal Science where he was president of the Block & Bridle club and a member of the livestock judging team. As a student at the Purdue swine farm, he worked in some of the first buildings in Indiana to have slatted concrete and woven wire flooring. After obtaining a master’s degree in Education from Indiana University, Mr. Snedegar coached basketball and taught elementary school for five years at Windfall, Indiana. Subsequently, he worked for seven years as Swine Coordinator/Instructor at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa. He advised student groups, managed the school swine farm, and coached successful general livestock judging teams; winning the National Western in Denver and having members who were “high swine individuals” in Houston, Louisville, and the National Barrow Show. Mr. Snedegar came to Michigan State University in 1989 to manage the Swine Teaching & Research Center and Boar Test Station. He established sales of biomedical pigs to hospitals and other biomedical research groups. He worked to maintain three genetic lines at the farm. He served as a director of the American Yorkshire Club and member of the National Swine Registry Executive Committee. Mr. Snedegar gave leadership to starting the National Junior Swine Association, which is today advised and directed by former students who work for him at the swine farm. With student involvement, He distinguished MSU as the only ‘Truckload’ exhibitor since 1946 to win both the live and carcass contests at the National Barrow Show. He taught laboratory sections of several classes, coached judging teams, mentored student employees, and served as a vital connection to swine-oriented youth. Mr. Snedegar has judged major, regional, and county swine shows in 35 states. He and his wife Beth have four children and enjoy their grandchildren, hunting, raising show and working-dogs, and traveling.