During the early 1920s William Miner envisioned that his Heart’s Delight Farm would “become an agricultural and research college focused on subjects such as dairying, animal husbandry, plant pathology, soils, agricultural chemistry, …(with) opportunities for experimental work in order that the school…may advance the science of agriculture.” Over 100 years later, Miner Institute resides at the Heart’s Delight Farm location and we work to carry on William Miner’s vision of science in the service of agriculture. Through our education and research programs, we strive to change agricultural practices for the better.
So as we welcome 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the milestones our Miner team achieved in 2024. Here are just some of the highlights:
Education and Outreach: We hosted 45 educational and community engagement events at Miner, attracting ~2,000 attendees. These events provided valuable learning experiences for the general public and those involved in the dairy and equine industries. Our local programing brought in people of different ages ranging from school-age children to retirees. Many visitors received a tour of our farms, grounds, and/or research facilities. A total of 73 college students and interns participated in our structured educational programs. Programs included our Advanced Dairy Management semester, Applied Environmental Science Program, year-long internships, and Summer Experiences in farming, equine management, agricultural research, water quality, and history. Also, our team delivered 41 presentations across the globe at various industry and professional meetings, sharing insights and advancement with the broader agricultural community. We wrote more than 90 Farm Report articles and an additional 24 popular press and peer-reviewed articles, disseminating valuable information to the agricultural community. It is extremely important to our team to train and mentor the next generation of farmers, agribusiness professionals, and scientists while supporting the current generation.
Research: Our diverse research program garnered $1.3 million in grants and contracts, enabling us to continue our work in dairy cattle nutrition and management, forage agronomy, nutrient management, water quality, and methane mitigation.
Farming Operations: Our farming operations were key to supporting our education, outreach, and research programs. The dairy farm (~550 lactating cows) was used for many workshops, meetings, classes, and tours this year for students, farmers, and agribusiness professionals. It continued to be productive, allowing us to ship over 18.5 million pounds (more than 2.1 million gallons) of low SCC milk to AgriMark showcasing our commitment to quality and productivity. Also, we marketed many heifers and cows to other dairy farms in the Northeast region. Our equine program managed a ~30-horse herd while providing mare and stallion station services to the equine community.
Community Support: We strive to follow William Miner’s lead of community support through hosting and participating in community events, volunteering, and fundraising. We raised over $15,000 to support our local community, demonstrating our commitment to giving back and making a positive impact. Some of the activities included cow kissing, cemetery clean-up, blood donation, and bicycle building for kids.
I am beyond grateful to lead such an amazing team and feel privileged to say I love what I do for work. I am excited for the opportunities that 2025 will bring for Miner Institute. Happy New Year!
— Heather Dann