annual report - miner institutemanagement students are selected based upon their current education,...
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ANNUAL REPORT
“No other occupation is so vitally important to the human race, nor requires
such a wide range of practical and technical knowledge, as farming.
It has to do with our very existence; the production of food and conservation of the soil.”
William H. Miner, 1915
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Ev Thomas retired from the Institute this past summer. He has worked as an agronomist in Northern N.Y. since 1966, first as a regional Extension Specialist for Cornell University and since 1981 for Miner Institute. He has been involved in field crops consulting in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. In 1999 he received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of Connecticut, in 2001 the Merit Award from the American Forage and Grassland Council, and in 2003 the Award of Merit from Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society of agriculture. He is a Certified Crop Advisor and Certified Pesticide Applicator. Ev continues his association with Miner Institute as the Editor of the Farm Report.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS TH
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President’s Message .............................................................................. 2
EDUCATION
Advanced Dairy Management ........................................................ 4
Summer Experience Programs ....................................................... 5
Agriculture and the Environment ................................................... 6
Undergraduate Students ................................................................ 7
RESEARCH
Research Program .......................................................................... 8
Grant‐Funded Research.................................................................. 9
DEMONSTRATION
Dairy Operations........................................................................... 10
Equine Program ............................................................................ 11
Heart’s Delight Farm Heritage Exhibit .......................................... 12
Employees/Years of Service................................................................. 13
Financial Summary............................................................................... 14
Visiting Faculty and Professional Assistance........................................ 15
Contributors......................................................................................... 15
Board of Trustees, Members, and Officers.......................................... 16
Mission Statement............................................................................... 17
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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In 2008, Institute staff delivered programs that addressed critical agricultural and environmental issues. More educational, demonstrational, and research programs were conducted than at any other time in the Institute’s history.
EDUCATION Our educational programs remain the fundamental reason that we exist. The Advanced Dairy Ma n a g e m e n t p r o g r a m monopolizes our efforts during spring semester with dairy management students spending an entire semester in residence at the Institute. These are primarily students who have spent two years at Vermont Technical College and have transferred to University of Vermont for their final two years. Our hope is that most of these students return to dairy farming or closely allied industry when the program is completed. During fall semester, our focus shifts to Agriculture and the Environment and students primarily from SUNY‐Plattsburgh with limited agricultural background. Here our goal is to use the Institute’s farm and forested resources to teach
students how agricultural practices interact with the environment. The contrast in s t u d e n t b a c k g r o u n d s , experiences, and expectations between spring and fall semester is a significant part of what makes it stimulating to work here. Our summer experience programs in crop/dairy, equine, agricultural research, and Heart’s Delight History remain vibrant and highly competitive, attracting students from across the US and even occasionally internationally.
RESEARCH Our research group conducted numerous studies on topics ranging from evaluating effects of stocking rate on dairy cow behavioral response to successfully feeding low starch and forage diets. Student projects are a significant portion of our research and educational programs – providing them with a glimpse into the research process and simultaneously generating useful, practical knowledge. In 2008, 10 students conducted research projects ranging from the effects of diet on milk components to the effect of silage storage time on starch.
OUTREACH Industry outreach consumes substantial amounts of all staff time, and this reaches back to the Institute’s core mission of application of the latest technological advances to solve problems confronting North Country agriculture (or, in fact, national and global issues). Over 2400 people attended over 40 workshops/seminars held at the Institute in 2008. The Farm Report continues to be our outreach effort with the single greatest impact on crop and dairy farmers. In addition, The Stable Sheet delivers timely information to the equine industry. Increasingly, our web site is an important vehicle for delivering information. Over 2000 people per month visited the web site in 2008 with the Farm Report and Stable Sheet being most frequented.
DEMONSTRATION The Institute’s most visible Demonstration Program continues to be the dairy herd. The dairy staff did an excellent job of balancing research and educational demands with our need for maintaining a highly productive herd. Throughout 2008, herd milk production averaged near 30,000 pounds rolling milk production. A high level of dairy herd performance is necessary for our research results to be applicable to
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TH
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the modern dairy industry, for relevant educational programs, and for effective demonstration of the latest technology in a dairy‐crop system. Obviously, I’ve skipped over many other s igni f i cant accomplishments and programs, but I did want to provide a quick glimpse of the breadth and vigor of our research, educational, and demonstration programs. As I travel, I find that many folks have heard of Miner Institute, but usually their impression is one‐dimensional. If this brief overview stimulates interest on your part in learning more about the range of Miner Institute programs, please feel free to contact us. As you read through this 2008 Annual Report, I am certain that you will be impressed with the diversity and quality of the programs conducted by Institute staff.
Miner Institute presents the results of research conducted for ZEN‐NOH National Federation of Agricultural Co‐operative Associations on an annual basis. Rick Grant presents the final reports for projects at a meeting in Japan.
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ADVANCED DAIRY MANAGEMENT
In January we welcomed our ninth class of Advanced Dairy Management students from the University of Vermont. This 15 credit course includes instruction in Dairy Nutrition and Forage Quality, Research Project, Agricultural Seminar, Field Crops, and Dairy Management Practicum. During the semester the students were taught by our faculty and staff in addition to seventeen visiting faculty and other agricultural industry professionals. In addition to classroom time, students spend time working in our dairy barn in all areas including milking, feeding, calves and herd health. Students visited several dairy farms in our area to learn from some of the best dairymen and evaluate those operations by observation and measurement. Our annual field trip with the Advanced Dairy Management students was a tour of the San Francisco, California area followed by visits to high producing Holstein and Jersey dairy farms in the central valley of California, Hilmar Cheese, and the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California. We sent a team of students representing the University of Vermont to the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge in Madison, Wisconsin and were
hype when making business decisions. The following projects were conducted by students in the 2008 program:
♦ Assoc iat ion between stocking density and locomotion, hock and hygiene scores of lactating dairy cows on large farms in New York and Vermont. Gerrit Gosliga
♦ Assoc iat ion between stocking density and locomotion, hock and hygiene scores of lactating dairy cows on small farms in New York and Vermont. Brian Trudell
♦ Effects of transporting forage samples in paper or plastic bags on yeast and mold counts. Coral Kent‐Dennis
♦ Should corn silage samples be shipped to analytical labs in paper or plastic bags to accurately assess mold and yeast counts? Asa Manning
♦ Efficacy of footbath products based on pH levels and presence of bacteria. Amy Maxham
♦ The use of formaldehyde in dairy footbaths to treat papil lomatous digital dermatitis (heelwarts) in dairy cows. David Rice
♦ Effect of hay processing on particle size distribution and TMR sorting. Andy Birch
♦ Effect of length of storage t i m e o n n u t r i e n t composition of corn silage. Andy Wood
awarded a Gold placing. The North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge allows dairy science students to apply theory and learning to a real‐world dairy while working as part of a team. Fol lowing an operation evaluation, teams develop a comprehens i ve prog ram including recommendations for nutrition, reproduction, milking procedures, animal health, hous i ng and f i n anc i a l management. This competition is a great opportunity for our students to network with other students from across the country and to have access to industry r ep re sen ta t i ve s seek i ng employees.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Each semester, Advanced Dairy Management students are involved with the planning, conduct, summarization and presentation of a research project at Miner Institute. The projects undertaken are designed to be interesting and addressing issues pertinent to the dairy industry in Northern New York and Vermont. This research experience is designed to give students critical thinking skills that may be useful as they move into roles as farm managers or agriprofessionals and need to discern between factual data and
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SUMMER EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS
FARM MANAGEMENT Our Farm Management students in 2008 were from the University of Minnesota and after graduation plan to work in the dairy industry either returning to home farms or as herdsmen on dairy farms. The Farm Management students worked in all areas of the dairy farm and field crops. Work on the farm included milking, calf care, herd health, feeding, and crops. Students came to the program with a broad range of experience ranging from very little previous hands‐on experience to a desire to gain experience on a high producing dairy farm in the northeast. Some students also participated in an artificial insemination course to broaden their skills. Students selected a group of heifers to train, groom and show at the Clinton County Fair. Farm Days for 5th Graders provided the students with a great opportunity to educate area youth about dairy agriculture. In addition, the students hosted a fitting and showmanship workshop at Miner Institute for area 4‐H members.
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH Undergraduate students find the Summer Exper ience in Agricultural Research useful in preparing them for academic and career opportunities in the agricultural research field. Students gain work experience in the dairy research and equine facility: feeding cows, measuring in situ digestibilities in ruminally cannulated cows, sampling milk, blood, urine and feces, assessing dairy cattle behavior and assessing equine reproductive parameters. Research techniques for evaluating crop performance, ensiling practices, nutrient management and environmental impact of agricultural practices are also learned. In addition to assisting with daily research activities, this summer’s students conducted, summarized and presented the following projects:
♦ Effect of replacing mattresses on the pre‐ and post‐refurbishment behavior of lactating Holstein dairy cows. Alanna Kmicikewycz, University of Illinois
♦ The effect of extender and extender‐sperm ratio on post‐thaw quality of equine spermatozoa. Annie Kimmerlein, St. Mary’s College of California
♦ Silage effluent system: Nutrient storage. Daimon Meeh, University of New Hampshire
EQUINE MANAGEMENT They come from all over the country with the same goal: to gain real work experience with horses. While there are many equine internships to choose from in the U.S., one of the unique aspects of Miner Institute is the emphasis placed upon teaching and learning through “doing” versus simply observing and being support staff to the managers or trainers. The Summer Experience in Equine Management students are selected based upon their current education, skill levels, and career goals. In 2008, four students participated in the daily activities of managing a training and breeding facility. Utilizing the herd of Morgan horses and a variety of client stallions and mares, students are practiced in methods of handling many situations that arise on a busy farm.
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AGRICULTURE and the ENVIRONMENT
This semester marked the fifth iteration of the Agriculture and the Environment class, taught by a combination of Miner Institute staff, along with faculty from the Cornell University, and personnel f rom Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Students visited a dairy biogas facility and a small‐scale smoothie and local milk bottling operation as part of the course, as well as performing Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) inspections on a local farm. Highlights included visiting Cornell’s Baker Farm in Willsboro, NY to look at field plot lysimeters, cold hardy wine grape trials and high tunnel greenhouses for fruit and vegetable production in the North Country. The group did a semester project on the pros and cons of using genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) in foodstuffs, which was presented in a debate format. This course enabled the students to combine their environmental skills with the basics of applied farming and regulations.
APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROGRAM The AESP completed its 36th year at Miner Institute in the fall. The core of this ongoing program has been the immersion style environment coupled with full‐day class formats. This semester students took a combination of f i ve c la sses i nc lud ing : Introduction to Soil Science, Forest Ecology and Management, Field Ecology, Agriculture and the Environment and Water Quality Modeling. The Modeling class has returned to the AESP after a five year hiatus and will continue.
A total of 30 students participated in the AESP 2008 program. The AESP integrates theory developed in lectures with hands‐on experience in indoor and outdoor labs dealing with soil, water quality, agriculture and forestry. Students utilize the computer, chemical laboratory and barn facilities at the Institute, as well as the neighboring Adirondacks, to collect and analyze samples, and integrate the information into polished reports. A key theme continues to be the measurement of phosphorus and nitrogen levels in soils and various agricultural waste streams, as this is a key regional pollutant. This year the soil science class began research on tile drained clay soils with a series of small scale projects that will continue work on nutrient transport in agricultural soils. Five residential students were awarded James Fitzpatrick scholarships: Kevin Keane, Kevin Kieper, Derek Smith, Matt Merulla and Sarah Wharton.
2008 AESP Students
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UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
ADVANCED DAIRY MANAGEMENT Advanced Dairy Management students are enrolled at the University of Vermont.
Andy Birch Gerrit Gosliga Coral Kent‐Dennis Asa Manning Amy Maxham David Rice Brian Trudell Andy Wood
SUMMER EXPERIENCE Farm Management Jennifer Becker University of Minnesota Patrick Leuer University of Minnesota Virginia Westlie University of Minnesota
Equine Management Kim Jasinski Arkansas State University Carrie Ostrowski Truman State David Suarez‐Fuentes University of Puerto Rico, San Juan Stefanie Spierer SUNY Morrisville Agricultural Research Alanna Kmicikewycz University of Illinois Annie Kimmerlein St. Mary’s College of California Daimon Meeh University of New Hampshire Heritage Exhibit Meg Preston Syracuse University
APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROGRAM AESP students are enrolled at Plattsburgh State University.
Amy Albrecht Paul Allison Benjamin Baker Casey Binggeli Jeffery Blackburn Matthew Burdick Charles Cross Sarah Delong Adam Emmerich Joshua Franklin Jared Goderie Nicholas Graziano Kevin Keane * Kevin Kieper * Stephanie Lago Stephen Langdon Meagan Lebeau Matthew Merulla * Nicholas Nicholas Matthew Pawlusik Hayden Premore Scott Risely Adrian Sellars Derek Smith * Gordon Warren Keiko Watanabe Sarah Wharton * Dana Woodward Jiafu Zheng Robert Zoeller * Fitzpatrick Scholar
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2008 Advanced Dairy Management Students
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RESEARCH PROGRAM
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The research activities at Miner Institute have grown over the past 20 years. As this program has evolved, a primary focus has been developed evaluating the interface between crops, dairy cattle, and the environment. Dairy nutrition studies and evaluation of factors that influence the productivity of dairy cows such as forage quality and cow comfort has been the core of research activities. More recently, Miner Institute has taken a proactive role evaluating the management of nutrients in feed storage systems and after field application of manure to mitigate their environmental impact. In 2008, Miner Institute conducted its first equine nutrition trial expanding upon the active research interests in reproductive physiology already taking place with the herd of Morgan horses. The strength of the research program at Miner Institute is the quality of the staff involved in conducting the projects. Each group from the professional staff, to the research technicians, to the farm staff all play an integral role in the production of quality research through the excellent care of the animals and diligence
of data handling through the course of a study. In 2008, Miner Institute was well‐represented at the Joint Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association and American Society of Animal Science held in Indianapolis. The following papers were presented with Miner Institute staff as authors or co‐authors. Some papers were the result of undergraduate or graduate research projects supported by Miner Institute:
♦ Evaluation of nutritional management strategies for cows with a short (40‐d) dry period. H. M. Dann, M. P. Carter, H. M. Gauthier, K. W. Cotanch, P. D. Krawczel, C. S. Mooney, C. S. Ballard, R. J. Grant, T. Eguchi, and T. Nakao.
♦ Evaluation of low starch diets for lactating Holstein dairy cattle. H. M. Dann, K. W. Cotanch, P. D. Krawczel, C. S. Mooney, R. J. Grant, and T. Eguchi.
♦ Summary of the effect on ruminal fermentation of P r o t e i n E d g e ® s u pp l emen t a t i o n i n c o n t i n u o u s c u l t u r e experiments. C. S. Mooney, H. M. Dann, C. S. Ballard, K. W. Cotanch, and R. J. Grant.
♦ The impact of a blend of s y n t h e t i c a n t i o x i d a n t s (Agrado®Plus) on milk production and milk fat synthesis when fed a diet high in unsaturated fatty acids. C. L. Preseault, M. Vázquez‐Añón, G. R. Bowman, C. S. Ballard, H. M. Dann, and A. L. Lock.
♦ Effect of alternative models for increasing stocking density on the lying behavior, hygiene, and short‐term productivity of lactating Holstein dairy cattle. P. D. Krawczel, C. S. Mooney, H. M. Dann, M. P. Carter, R. E. Butzler, C. S. Ballard, and R. J. Grant.
Other studies conducted at Miner Institute were also presented at the following scientific meetings.
♦ Effects of dairy manure with high concentrations of copper on the growth and yield of corn. S.A. Flis, C. S. Ballard, E. D. Thomas, S. C. Bosworth, and J. W. Darrah. 2008. Joint meeting of the Canadian Society of Agronomy, Canadian Society of H o r t i c u l t u r a l S c i e n c e , Northeastern Branch of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America and Soil Science Society of America. McGill University, Montreal, Quebec.
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RESEARCH PROGRAM TH
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♦ Surv iva l of bovine Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis during grass silage forage fermentation. S. A. Flis, K. L. Cook, C. S. Ballard, E. D. Thomas, and H. M. Dann. Joint Meeting of the Geological Society of American, and the ASA‐CSSA‐SSSA. Houston, TX.
♦ Effects of excess copper in dairy manure applied to cool season forage grasses. S. A. Flis, S. C. Bosworth, E. D. Thomas, C. S. Ballard, and J. W. Darrah. Joint Meeting of the Geological Society of American, and the ASA‐CSSA‐SSSA. Houston, TX.
♦ The effect of forage non‐structural carbohydrate on glucose, insulin and lipid response in horses. L. A. Perry, B. A. Younge, and C. S. Ballard. International Society for Applied Ethology, 42nd International Congress of the ISAE, Dublin, Ireland.
Former equine intern, Lindsay Perry, conducted her senior project at Miner Institute as part fulfillment of the Bachelor of Science (Equine Science) at the University of Limerick in Ireland. For her project, The effect of f o r a g e n o n ‐ s t r u c t u r a l carbohydrates on glucose, insulin and lipid response in the Morgan horse, Lindsay received a Coolmore medal, recognizing excellence in undergraduate senior projects.
Title
Funding Source Relationship of cow chewing behavior to a laboratory measurement of forage fragility
ZEN‐NOH National Federation of Agricultural Co‐operative Associations
Feeding low forage and low starch diets to lactating dairy cows
ZEN‐NOH National Federation of Agricultural Co‐operative Associations
Development of nutritional strategies for optimizing growth and lactational performance of dairy replacement heifers
ZEN‐NOH National Federation of Agricultural Co‐operative Associations
Effect of feeding Protein Edge on rumen microbial efficiency of lactating dairy cows
ZEN‐NOH National Federation of Agricultural Co‐operative Associations; Agriformulations
Evaluation of live yeast products in lactating dairy cows
Lesaffre
Use of Clarifly to manage house and stable fly populations on free‐stall dairy operations
Central Life Sciences
Alternative models for evaluating effects of stocking density on dairy cattle behavior, performance, and well‐being
USDA National Research Initiative
Effect of highly fermentable diets and regrouping on milk production: proof of concept for Nutri‐Innovations System
Nutri‐Innovations
Subsurface drainage water management to reduce manure contaminated drain discharge
NRCS‐CIG
Development of a subsurface drained research field for monitoring and minimizing phosphorus runoff into Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain Basin Program
The Effect of the silage fermentation process on Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis
Northern New York Agricultural Development Program
GRANT—FUNDED RESEARCH
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DAIRY OPERATIONS
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One of the Institute’s most visible demonstration programs is the dairy herd. In many ways the Institute’s dairy operates as a modern commercial farm, with up‐to‐date facilities, management for high production and cow comfort, and a crops program similar to other dairy farms in the region. A highly productive herd is vital to relevant educational programs, to research results applicable to the improvement of today’s dairy industry, and to effective demonstration of the latest technology in a dairy‐crop enterprise. The herd milk production this year was around 30,000 pounds/cow – a level that is competitive with that of the best farms in the nation. In addition to maintaining and improving our herd performance, the dairy staff work with the college‐age students who come to the Institute for practical education in farm management. Applied research studies are
conducted in the barn throughout the year, focusing on dairy nutrition, cow comfort, animal behavior and herd management. This requires frequent changes in diet and management of the 310‐cow herd, and we are proud of our dairy staff for continuing to maintain a healthy, productive herd where research and demonstration are both possible. Construction on a new dry cow barn began this summer, and cows were moved into the barn in December. This new facility, connected to the milking barn, simplifies cow movement, is an improvement in stall comfort for the dry cows, and allows for more space in the old barn for the growing heifers. The new barn was built with enough room to house the dry cows of a 450‐cow herd; larger than we need at present, but built to accommodate a possible future expansion. It is an insulated barn
with side‐wall curtains, and has both sand stalls and a sawdust bedded‐pack. Designed to facilitate research projects, pens can be divided, an individual feeding system can replace the group feed bunk and 24 cameras were installed to record cow behavior. Most of the forage fed to the herd is harvested by the crops crew with help from the dairy staff. It was a good year for crops with the exception of a long rainy period in the middle of the summer. Despite that, three cuttings of haylage were harvested from our grass and alfalfa‐grass stands (about 369 acres) and both BMR corn and conventional corn silage varieties were grown on approximately 304 acres. Haylage yields were normal and corn silage yields were 19.5 tons/acre for the conventional corn and 17 tons/acre for the BMR corn.
Construction of dry cow barn; June (left). First day in the dry cow barn; December (right).
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EQUINE PROGRAM TH
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The Morgan horse’s heart is what inspires passion for the breed; its versatility is what makes it such a good fit for the equine program at Miner Institute. Two fillies and one colt were born in 2008, all sired by our senior stallion, Legacys Viking. They are registered with the Heart’s Delight Farm prefix of “HD” with the American Morgan Horse Association and will be used for teaching programs such as the Summer Experience in Equine Management, Youth EquiDay, and in other clinic and workshop offerings to the public. Miner‐bred horses that have been sold have gone on to be great partners for their owners in carriage driving, dressage, and trail horses. Long before Heart’s Delight Farm was built and began using
Homestead for a day of filming followed by a day of versatility demonstrations. Featured prominently in the video are 6‐week old HD Kildare and her dam, UVM Valkyrie. The filly played the part of “Starlight”, the Morgan foal that was gifted to Almanzo by his father in the last chapter of the book. The Summer Experience in Equine Ma n a g em e n t s t u d e n t s demonstrated various disciplines riding horses brought by Miner as part of the open house and clips of those performances are included in a bonus track on the DVD showing what visitors might expect to find at the homestead today. Miner is pleased to support the work of the Wilder Homestead as it promotes agri‐tourism and is a great venue to showcase Morgan horses. DVD’s are available for purchase through the Wilder Homestead.
Morgans as their light horses, a prominent, well‐respected farmer was breeding and selling Morgans in the nearby town of Burke, NY. The Almanzo Wilder Homestead is the historic site where the husband of beloved author Laura Ingalls Wilder grew up. Laura wrote Farmer Boy, the second book of the Little House series about a year in the life of young Almanzo. His admiration and longing for a Morgan horse of his own is the reason that when it came time to produce a documentary of the life of Almanzo, Dean Butler of Legacy Documentaries felt strongly that just the right kind of horses were needed to portray that message. On the first weekend of spring, Miner Institute, in cooperation with other Morgan owners, brought horses to the Wilder
SEEM students visit historic Saratoga Race Course (top). HD Kildare, also known as “Rayne”, during filming at the Wilder Farm (left).
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HEART’S DELIGHT FARM HERITAGE EXHIBIT
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The 2008 season focused on our next big project “Heart’s Delight Farm: 100 Years of North Country Agriculture”. Prior to the opening of the season, which is May 1st, we received the wonderful news that we had been awarded an agri‐tourism grant sponsored by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The matching grant was one of 51 awarded across the state to help augment farm operations and attract visitors, and we are in a select group of only five awarded in Northern New York. This project will involve many and varied tasks, but the three main components are: 1) production of a video detailing educational information about farming in New York State and Heart’s Delight Farm, 2) a permanent space in which to house the video, and 3) a public open house to include all facets of the Institute. Over the last two years, we have focused on a variety of plans to increase visibility, make more effective use of our collections, and reach out to the public to entice visitation and bring forth the history of the Miners and the farm beyond the exhibit itself. Due to this grant, many of those
efforts will be realized sooner rather than later. Visitation to the exhibit, including group tours, remained steady in 2008. Repeat visitors were captivated by the vehicle display, none more so than the school children who came to the farm during the Farm Days for Fifth Graders event. As we move forward into 2009, we will continue to build upon our efforts through a strategic cycle of planning, action, and evaluation.
SUMMER INTERN The exhibit hosted one intern in the 2008 summer season. Each year, the internship is reviewed and specific projects are delegated to ensure the preservation of our archives, continued teaching and learning of our history, and to bring exhibit projects to fruition. Several projects were continued in 2008 to include digitization of land lease files and database management, review of Miner Day educational materials, and research of grant funding opportunities.
After touring the main building of the exhibit, visitors can take a leisurely stroll on the Wayside Walk, which leads to the Hose House and Antique Vehicle building.
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EMPLOYEES and YEARS of SERVICE TH
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21
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8
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2
2
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< 1
< 1
< 1
25
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FACULTY/RESEARCH
Catherine Ballard, M.S.
Wanda Emerich, M.Ext.Ed.
Stephen Kramer, M.S.
Marguerite Carter
Heather Gauthier
Kurt Cotanch, M.S.
Jeff Darrah
Richard Grant, Ph.D.
Heather Dann, Ph.D.
Amy Bedard, M.L.S.
Robert Fievisohn
Steve Mooney, Ph.D.
Rachel Butzler, M.S.
Sarah Boucher, Ph.D.
Roxanne Clark
Laura Klaiber
ADMINISTRATION
Laurie Miller
Kirk Beattie
Debra LaPorte
PHYSICAL PLANT
Brian Bechard
Steve Fessette
David Boulerice
Kelly Snide
Mark Gonyo
Daniel Belrose
Jared Ashline
AGRICULTURE
Henry Meseck
Stephen Ero
Jake Ashline
Bethann Caston
Ralph LaBombard
Neil LaCount
Shawn Bechard
Steve Couture
Chad Hebert
Anna Pape
Jessica Kalvaitis
Kristup Kalvaitis
Ryan LaCount
Cory Nolette
Jodie LaBombard
Brandon Yelle
EQUINE
Karen Lassell
Adrianne Melis
Lisa Klaiber
10
1
< 1
3
2
< 1
FOOD SERVICE/HOUSEKEEPING
Hope LaForest
Kerri Sanders
Tammy Allen
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Sally Flis, Ph.D.
Peter Krawczel, M.S.
Courtney Preseault
INTERNS
Glenn Palmer, Dairy
Claire Gebben, Equine
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5
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1
1
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY
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FARM 40%
RESEARCH 13%
SUPPORTING OPERATIONS 17%
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
12%
ADMINISTRATION 3%
EDUCATION 15%
STUDENT PROGRAMS 1%
MINER FOUNDATION 65%
FARM INCOME 25%
RESEARCH GRANTS 6%
REVENUE
OTHER 3%
EXPENDITURE
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SUPPORT TH
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PROFESSIONAL STAFF and VISITING FACULTY Martha Abair US Army Corp
Brian Jerose WASTE NOT Resource Solutions
Jerry Bertoldo NWNY Dairy Team
Jean Bohnatal Cornell Waste Management
Mike Brouk Kansas State University
James Carrabba New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health
Larry Chase Cornell University
Mohamed Chikhaoui Brace Center, McGill University
John Conway PRO‐Dairy
Karl Czymmek PRO‐Dairy
Mike Davis Cornell University
Brett Denny Vermont DHIA
Dale Dewing NYC Watershed Ag Extension
Mark Eastman Brace Center, McGill University
Mike Farmer Yankee Farm Credit
Kip Potter USDA VT
Kurt Ruppell Cargill Animal Nutrition
Jonathon Orr Orrson Custom Farming Ltd.
Tom Overton Cornell University
Jan Shearer University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine
Marilyn Stephenson USDA NY
Mike Van Amburgh Cornell University
Peter Wright USDA‐NRCS
CONTRIBUTORS Belisle Sol Nutrition
Blue Seal Feeds
Eastern Carolina Vail
Koichi Ito Miner Institute Japan
Vita Plus
David Withall Miner Enterprises, Inc. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
Heidi Fortsch Have Hands‐Will Travel Equine Massage Therapy
Larry Goerhing Cornell University
Marie Guay Yankee Farm Credit
Kent Henderson Northwest Veterinary Associates
Susan Hughes USDF Dressage Judge/Clinician
Corwin Holtz Holtz‐Nelson Consulting
Bill Howland Lake Champlain Basin Program
Ivor Jones Select Sire Power
Jason Karszes PRO‐DAIRY
Peter Kleinman USDA
Limin Kung University of Delaware
Jackie Lendrum NYS DEC
Lois Levitan Cornell University
Steve Mahoney Clinton County SWCD
Jeff Morse Green Meads Farm
Bob Pierpont Elanco
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BOARD of TRUSTEES, MEMBERS and OFFICERS
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Charles E. Ashley Cha‐Liz Farm Trustee Kirk E. Beattie Miner Institute Treasurer William Bingel Member Dr. Joseph C. Burke Rockefeller Institute Chairman, Trustee Dr. Richard J. Grant Miner Institute President Richard Eakins NORCO Farms Trustee Dr. John Ettling Plattsburgh State University Member David Fisher Member Roderic G. Giltz Northern Insuring Agency Trustee Rocklyn Giroux Adirondack Farms Trustee
Dr. Sheldon Hagar Champlain Valley Vet Service Member Carol Harrell Member Dr. Robert Heins Clinton Country Legislator Trustee Betsy Hodge Extension Learning Farm Member Melvin Irwin Maplegrand Farm Member Debra LaPorte Miner Institute Secretary Bernard Leerkes, Jr. Trustee Dr. Tom McFadden University of Vermont Member David Meath Buck Paper Company Member Dr. Tom Overton Cornell University Member
William L. Owens Stafford, Trombley, Owens & Curtin Member Dr. Ann M. Willey Wadsworth Center Lab Trustee Dr. Frederick Woodward Member Geoffrey C. Yates Yankee Farm Credit Trustee
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MISSION
Miner Institute offers quality research, education, and demonst rat ion programs addressing critical agricultural and environmental issues relevant to Northern New York and beyond.
EDUCATION Miner Institute offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs in dairy and field crop science, equine management, and environmental conservation. The Institute provides meetings, workshops, and residential undergraduate and graduate programs in cooperation with a number of regional colleges and universities.
RESEARCH Miner Institute conducts practical research on the dairy‐crop interface, equine reproduction and management , and environmental conservation. Its research activities combine a global perspective with a regional application.
DEMONSTRATION Miner Institute demonstrates the best practices in dairy farming, equine management, and environmental conservation through its dairy, crops, equine, and field and forestry operations and through outreach activities in the region.
We value the Miner tradition of high quality agricultural programs serving northern New York needs, conducted by a skilled and diverse staff in a beautiful historical setting. We especially value combining the latest technological innovations with a cherished heritage.
The dedicated and talented staff of Miner Institute seeks to bring to residents of northern New York and surrounding regions the benefits of research, education, and demonstration involving dairy, equine, and environmental management.
MISSION STATEMENT
VALUES STATEMENT
VISION STATEMENT
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DEMONSTRATION
EDUCATION RESEARCH
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THE WILLIAM H. MINER AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE 1034 MINER FARM ROAD
PO BOX 90 CHAZY NEW YORK 12921
518.846.7121
WWW.WHMINER.ORG