When the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute in Chazy held an open house earlier this summer, organizers expected about 300 visitors.
To their surprise, despite a persistent rain, about 700 people showed up. And the experience they had was well worth the trip.
The attendance demonstrated the interest the community has in Miner Institute and the history that goes with it. And it's good to see the institute is opening its doors so visitors can learn more about them and what they do.
First of all, the place has a fascinating history. William H. Miner, wealthy turn-of-the century inventor, industrialist and local philanthropist who founded Chazy Central Rural School, Physician's Hospital (now CVPH Medical Center) and a vast network of hydroelectric dams and powerhouses in Chazy and Altona, is certainly a fascinating figure. A railroad-equipment patent holder and entrepreneur, he grew up in Chazy, and after making his fortune in Chicago returned to the area he remembered fondly from his youth.
His Heart's Delight Farm at the present site of the institute was a virtual Noah's Ark of nearly every conceivable species of domestic animal and agricultural enterprise.
The Miner Institute open house and the improvements it was designed to showcase were made possible by a $50,000 agri-tourism grant from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, which the institute matched. It could have been the history, or perhaps the Morgan horses, that attracted such a large crowd. But visitors learned the institute offers a whole lot more.
With the grant money, the facility produced a DVD titled "Miner Institute: 100 Years and Growing" recounting its history and William Miner's vision of an ideal farm. There were also improvements to the Heart's Delight Farm Heritage Exhibit and walking tours of the various facilities and grounds.
But while the history buffs and horse lovers were not disappointed, the agri-tourism grant had another goal. Agriculture has changed a lot in the past 100 years as self-sufficient homesteads have evolved into a system in which only one percent of the population produces the food for all the rest.
It was the hope that visitors would leave with a greater awareness and appreciation for the challenges of modern agriculture and the technological innovations that have been necessary to overcome them. And Miner Institute's research arm has been in the forefront of its share of these important developments.
Visitors learned how the institute has helped develop computer software to optimize the ideal feeding regimen for dairy cattle. They were also shown the new free-standing dairy barn where cows are free to roam, eat, drink or lie down as they wish rather than being tethered or confined to stalls.
These are just two examples of the many research projects involving genetics, crop experiments and demonstration projects that have helped North Country farmers compete and succeed in an ever-changing and difficult agricultural marketplace.
Miner Center deserves credit for hosting such an informative and entertaining afternoon, and residents should also be complimented for their interest in local history and the latest innovations in how their food is produced. Let's hope in future years the open-house tradition can continue.
