OUTREACH & EVENTS
OUR COMMITMENT
RESEARCH
EDUCATION
OUTREACH
Miner Institute is committed to its mission of research, education, and demonstration. Within the scope of that mission is community outreach. We aim to educate and inform the public about the agricultural industry and its role in our region, as well as its impact on the environment.
We offer Farm Days for Fifth Graders, High School Chemistry Program, and other events for our community and beyond.
If you are interested in scheduling a group tour at Miner Institute or having someone from Miner Institute speak at your organization, please contact Rachel Dutil at dutil@whminer.com or 518-846-7121, Ext. 115.
FARM DAY FOR FIFTH GRADERS
AN ANNUAL TRADITION FOR NORTH COUNTRY SCHOOLS
During this three-day event, students participate in various agriculture based activities such as exploring the environment where the cows live and are milked, modern equipment used for planting and harvesting, storing crops, feeds for dairy cows, the fistulated cow, equine horse behavior, care, maintenance, and training, and the history of the farm. Wanda Emerich, Dairy Outreach Coordinator, along with interns from the Miner Institute Summer Experience programs serve as tour guides. The program, like agriculture, has evolved over the years based on need, technology, and trial and error.
“Our mission in this program is to help students to become more aware of agriculture in our community and the impact on our daily lives."
- Wanda Emerich
Now in existence for more than 40 years, Farm Days for 5th graders is a tradition that has lasted through time. Each year, approximately 400 to 500 students come to the farm for this event.
For more information, contact Wanda Emerich at 518-846-7121, ext. 117.
HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY PROGRAM
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE FOR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Each year, more than 70 high school juniors and seniors take part in four “hands-on” workshops dealing with water quality and pollution from various sources. Complimenting Regents requirements, students take part in hands-on learning labs.
The labs include:
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Single tank reactor washout (pollutants in water)
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Single tank reactor, Single load (more complicated scenarios)
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Tap water tour ( home water samples)
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Lake Champlain Watershed Experience Lab involves SUNY Plattsburgh Center for Earth and Environmental Science faculty in mini camp-style experiences.
Each lab demonstrates a set of skills to solve problems that can be utilized in the next lab. Students also learn some basic laboratory techniques, including pipetting, weighing and creating standard solutions which augments their experience.
Overall, the goal is to teach students to engage in math and science through hands-on learning in place of lecture. The hands-on nature of the program comes from our annual Applied Environmental Science Program, which is held at Miner Institute in the fall semester in conjunction with SUNY Plattsburgh.
For more information, contact Steve Kramer at 518-846-7121, ext. 127.
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY
THE LEGACY OF WILLIAM AND ALICE CONTINUES
William and Alice Miner began a legacy of charitable contributions more than a century ago and Miner Institute is proud to carry on that legacy with a charity 5K/10K; an annual comedy show that raises money for the United Way of the Adirondack Region; our team builds bikes during the holiday season that are donated to children in foster care; we partner with the United Way of the Adirondack Region for a cow kissing event that raises money for targeted needs in the region annually.
DAIRY DAY
Dairy Day is held annually and focuses on timely topics relevant to the dairy industry. The event is open to the public and is free of charge. Speakers include Miner Institute staff as well as industry professionals and educators from agriculture schools in the region.
For more information, email Wanda Emerich
EQUIDAY
EquiDay is a daylong symposium on horse topics and an opportunity to launch the spring season in the North Country. EquiDay is held annually in March and is free and open to the public. Topics are diverse and feature Miner Institute staff as well as other industry experts.
For more information, email Karen Lassell
HEART'S DELIGHT SPRING PREMIER
Heart's Delight Spring Premier is an annual horse show to kick off the show season Memorial Day Weekend. It features a wide array of disciplines and horse breeds. It is run and organized by Miner Institute and held at the Clinton County Fairgrounds.
For more information, email Karen Lassell