In 1903, William Miner started Heart’s Delight Farm on the Miner family homestead in Chazy NY. The farm grew from a farmhouse and a few barns on ~150 acres into a diversified farm with hundreds of buildings on ~15,000 acres employing over 800 workers while using the latest advances in science and technology to provide food to people in the Northeast and Midwest. Over 100 years later, Miner Institute resides at the Heart’s Delight Farm location and works 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.
The farm grew from a farmhouse and a few barns on ~150 acres into a diversified farm with hundreds of buildings on ~15,000 acres employing over 80 workers while using the latest advances in science and technology to provide food to people in the Northeast and Midwest.
As I look at the photos from the early 1900’s and today, I am reminded that a lot has changed in 100 plus years, including advances in technology (just look at the difference in the trucks), people come and go, seasons change, buildings are built, torn down or repurposed, work-life balance shifts, and so on. However, one thing that has stayed the same is the core values established by William Miner in his “Spirit of Heart’s Delight Farm“ message. Employees were reminded of their expectations while working at Miner’s farm with a large sign that hung outside the Storehouse No.1 building.
The sign read:
The Spirit of Heart’s Delight Farm
Do right because it is the right thing to do.
Be courteous: you thereby honor yourself.
Be industrious: otherwise you cannot respect yourself.
Be efficient thus gaining the respect of others.
Try to realize the value of time, your real capital.
Be honest thereby attaining true happiness.
Constantly improve in mental, moral and physical quality.
Be fair-minded: shun prejudice and jealousy.
Be loyal and cooperate cheerfully with others.
Today, the sign still hangs outside the original Storehouse No.1 building that serves as the home of our Heritage Exhibit that pays tribute to William Miner and the farm that he built. The Spirit of Heart’s Delight Farm serves as the guiding principles of Miner Institute. These principles influence the way we feel, act, think and make decisions. The Spirit of Heart’s Delight Farm is really our core values that establish a personal standard for our attitude and behavior on a daily basis. Also, it plays a role in decision-making and daily operations even when Miner Institute evolves over time. The themes of integrity, kindness and caring, and personal growth that it portrays shape our culture and contribute to our success.