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research dossier

THE WILLIAM H MINER AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Chazy, NY · EIN 141414736 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE K20E · Food, Agriculture & Nutrition · Large ($10M-$50M) · whminer.org
revenue
$15.0M
expenses
$12.0M
net assets
$27.7M
employees
97
program ratio
94%
mission · from form 990

Provide graduate and undergraduate level educational programs, demonstration and research in areas of agriculture and environmental science.

profile · synthesized from sources

The William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, based in Chazy, NY, conducts applied research and educational programs in agriculture and environmental science. It focuses on the integration of crop, dairy, and equine management with environmental stewardship, serving students, farmers, and industry professionals. The institute operates as a working farm and research facility, offering hands-on learning and demonstration programs since its founding in 1951.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $28K
    Agronomic and extension program at Miner Institute Field Crop Demonstration Area operated in conjunction with Cooperative Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Roberts Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
named programs · 7 · from sources

What they call their work

Dairy Day
Annual public event featuring presentations by institute staff and industry experts on current topics in dairy farming, open to farmers and agribusiness professionals.
Dairy Research Program
Research on dairy nutrition, management, and behavior, including transition cow performance, calf growth, and manure management, conducted on-site with a Holstein herd.
EquiDay
Annual symposium on horse care, training, and industry topics, free and open to the public, featuring institute staff and guest experts.
Equine Research Program
Research and education centered on Morgan horses, focusing on reproduction, nutrition, and behavior, with resident internships and public events like EquiDay.
Farm Day for Fifth Graders
Annual educational event where fifth-grade students tour the farm, learning about dairy and equine management, crop production, and agricultural history through hands-on activities.
Heart's Delight Spring Premier
Annual horse show held at Clinton County Fairgrounds, organized by Miner Institute to launch the regional equestrian season, featuring multiple disciplines and breeds.
High School Chemistry Program
Hands-on workshops for high school juniors and seniors focused on water quality, pollution, and environmental science, aligned with Regents curriculum and conducted in partnership with SUNY Plattsburgh.
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Agricultural Producer Education & Support Networks 2 activities
    • Conducting applied agricultural research
      Conducts practical and applied research on the dairy-crop interface, equine reproduction and management, forage quality, soil health, manure management, and environmental conservation, with regional relevance to the Northeast. Research is carried out using on-site herds, cropland, and ecological monitoring systems, and findings are published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national scientific conferences.
    • Demonstrating best practices in farming and land management
      Operates on-farm demonstration programs to validate and showcase best practices in dairy farming, equine management, forage-crop production, and environmental stewardship. These programs serve as models for regional agricultural operations and are supported by partnerships with Cooperative Extension, USDA, and Cornell University.
  • Equine Education and Riding Instruction 1 activity
    • Delivering agricultural education and training programs
      Offers undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs, including workshops, internships, and residential courses in dairy and field crop science, equine management, and environmental conservation. Programs are delivered through on-site facilities and include hands-on learning with teaching animals such as Morgan horses.
  • Academic Research Dissemination 1 activity
    • Disseminating research and farm information
      Produces and publishes the monthly Farm Report to share updates on farm activities, research findings, and industry-relevant topics. Also publishes peer-reviewed research articles and presents findings at national conferences.
  • Campus Facility Operations and Management 1 activity
    • Maintaining research and education infrastructure
      Operates key facilities including the Joseph C. Burke Education and Research Center, which houses classrooms, laboratories, and office space, and supports research and education programs through dedicated infrastructure and resources.
  • County and Regional Agricultural Fair Management 1 activity
    • Operating public and community outreach events
      Hosts annual public events such as Dairy Day, EquiDay, Open House, Farm Days for fifth-grade students, and the Heart's Delight Spring Premier horse show to educate the public and engage the community. Also organizes charity events including a 5K/10K, comedy show, and cow kissing fundraiser.
  • Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
    • Preserving and sharing agricultural heritage
      Operates the Heritage Exhibit in a historic 1906 storehouse dedicated to William and Alice Miner and the history of Heart's Delight Farm. Maintains the James A. FitzPatrick Library with archival collections and historical records, and offers self-guided and guided tours of historic sites including the Flat Rock area and the "Million Dollar Dam."
  • Student Housing and Residential Services 1 activity
    • Supporting student education through scholarships and housing
      Administers a scholarship fund established in 2014 that supports two students annually and provides student housing through the Middleton Miller Student Housing Complex, which includes accommodations and recreational amenities for interns and program participants.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$14.97M
Contributions & grants$7.09M47%
Program service revenue$6.18M41%
Investment income$1.71M11%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$12.01M
Program expenses94%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$5.32M
Grants paid out$28K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$29.89M
Cash$2.49M
Investments$8.97M
Liabilities$2.18M
Net assets$27.70M
Liquid reserves11.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +19.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 8
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Heather Dann President 60 $271K
Kirk Beattie Vice President, Administration and Finance 50 $243K
Steven Couture Farm Manager 50 $158K
Catherine Ballard Director of Research 50 $146K
Sarah Morrison Research Scientist 60 $136K
Michael Lemza Director of Physical Plant 40 $122K
Stephen Kramer Research Scientist 40 $119K
Rachel Dutil Secretary 40 $96K
board members · 10
  • Brendan Owens — Trustee
  • Frederick Woodward — Chair and Trustee
  • Geoffrey Yates — Vice Chair and Trustee
  • Matthew Bull — Trustee
  • Richard Eakins — Trustee
  • Richard Grant — Trustee
  • Rocklyn Giroux — Trustee
  • Roderic Giltz — Trustee
  • Steven Frederick — Trustee
  • Tony LaPierre — Trustee
relationships · 14

Who they work with

  • American Dairy Science Association Network — Staff present research findings annually at this national scientific meeting.
  • American Society of Agronomy Network — Staff present research findings annually at this national scientific meeting.
  • Cooperative Extension Partner — Collaborates on agronomic and extension programming at the Field Crop Demonstration Area
  • Cornell University Partner — Collaborates on agronomic and extension programming at the Field Crop Demonstration Area through Roberts Hall
  • Joseph C. Burke Government — Honored through the naming of the Joseph C. Burke Education and Research Center; served as long-time trustee and chair of the board.
  • Miner Archives Partner — Collaborates with the Miner Archives, a related historical repository
  • Morgan Horse Club Network — Partners with the Morgan horse community to maintain and promote America's earliest registered horse breed.
  • SUNY Plattsburgh Partner — Collaborates with Miner Institute on the Applied Environmental Science Program and Lake Champlain Watershed Experience Lab.
  • Soil Science Society of America Network — Staff present research findings annually at this national scientific meeting.
  • Stephen Flanagan Funder — Provided a $1.3 million donation to establish a scholarship fund for students in education programs.
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Government — Collaborates on agronomic and extension programming at the Field Crop Demonstration Area
  • United Way of the Adirondack Region Partner — Partners with Miner Institute on annual fundraising events including a comedy show and cow kissing event.
  • external agencies and organizations Partner — Collaborates with external agencies and organizations to advance William Miner's vision of science in the service of agriculture.
  • regional colleges and universities Partner — Collaborates with regional colleges and universities to provide residential undergraduate and graduate education programs.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Animal Wellbeing Through Behavior Research
    methodology: animal_wellbeing_research
    By studying animal behavior, the institute addresses key welfare challenges such as overcrowding and heat stress because evidence-based insights lead to improved housing, grouping, and management practices that enhance livestock wellbeing.
  • Experiential Learning Through Hands-On Farm Engagement
    methodology: experiential_learning
    By using hands-on, on-farm activities and live demonstrations, the institute increases engagement and retention in agricultural and environmental science education because direct experience fosters deeper understanding and connection to real-world systems.
  • Focus on Crop-Animal-Environment Interface for Sustainability
    methodology: crop_animal_environment_interface
    By focusing research and programming on the crop-animal-environment interface, the institute improves dairy industry sustainability because integrated management of nutrient flows, animal systems, and cropping reduces environmental impact and increases efficiency.
  • Integrated Research-Education-Demonstration Model
    methodology: integrated_research_education_demonstration
    By integrating research, education, and demonstration programs on working farm systems, the institute enhances agricultural knowledge transfer and adoption because real-world application strengthens learning, innovation, and practical implementation among students, farmers, and professionals.
  • Living Classroom Using Natural Ecosystems
    methodology: living_classroom
    By treating natural ecosystems such as the area around the "Million Dollar Dam" as a living classroom, the institute deepens environmental science education because immersive, context-rich environments enable students to observe and analyze ecological processes in situ.