A charitable bequest at the Research Builder level has been received by the AJCC Research Foundation from the estate of John "Jack" Henry Snell, who after an early career as an ag educator operated the Kittitas Registered Jersey™ herd on the family farm near Ellensburg, Wash.

Foundation trustee Neal Smith noted, "This gift of $9,250 demonstrates not only Jack Snell's devotion to the Jersey cow, but also his foresight in making a lasting financial contribution to support scientific research that will improve her production, efficiency and longevity."

Added Foundation fundraising chair Donald S. Sherman, "We are extremely grateful that Mr. Snell remembered the Research Foundation through his charitable bequest. Our only regret is that he did not tell us before his death that he had taken this step so that we could express thanks to him on behalf of the association and its members."

Jack Snell passed away on March 16, 2012 at the age of 83. He purchased his first Registered Jersey in 1950. A graduate of Washington State University, he taught agriculture and farm shop in the Orting and Ellensburg high schools before returning to the home farm. He became a lifetime member of The American Jersey Cattle Club and utilized its herd improvement services until his retirement from dairying in 1994.

"The herd was constantly one of the top herds in Washington," recalls former Area Representative Patrick Gourley. "Jack Snell was very progressive in his breeding. I do remember him telling me that production was very important, but how type and longevity was just as, if not more important. He wanted to enjoy going to the barn every day.

"He was always willing to consign the best animal in his herd to a sale," Gourley added. "All you had to do was ask. He made sure it was the best he had to offer even if it was a youth sale. Many project animals were purchased from his herd."

Across Snell's 44 year career, Kittitas Jerseys were sold to buyers from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and California. When he decided to retire from dairying in 1994, the herd of nearly 80 cows and heifers was sold to Forest Glen Jerseys, Dayton, Ore., which later exported two Snell-bred heifers to Japan. In retirement, Snell traveled to all 50 states and cruised much of the world with his wife Louise, who preceded him in death.

Established in 1967, the AJCC Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) permanent trust operated exclusively to promote and sponsor scientific research in the dairy industry. More than $878,000 has been provided in support of such research since 1988. Current funding priorities are:

· Nutrition of high-producing Jerseys, particularly practical feeding methods to maximize production of valuable milk components;

· Factors affecting management of Jersey calves;

· Factors affecting yield and/or quality of products manufactured from Jersey milk;

· Factors affecting economic impact of Jerseys: efficiencies, net income, longevity, and lifetime profit;

· Optimizing the genetic basis for improving animal health and/or enhancing product quality;

· Enhancing environmental impact associated with Jerseys;

· New technologies for safe and sustainable food production from Jersey cattle; and

· Feasibility of adding value and increasing consumer acceptance of Jersey-derived products through enhanced product quality and branding.

Gifts assigned to the use of the Foundation are deductible for Federal estate and gift purposes, and may be made at any time. Contact Dr. Cherie Bayer, Director of Development of the American Jersey Cattle Association, at 614/322-4456 or cbayer@usjersey.com with any questions about naming the AJCC Research Foundation in a will or living trust.

08.30.2012