Facilities - The William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Chazy NY

Miner Center is the hub of our educational programs.
We received our charter in 1951, and operated as a one-year junior college from 1956 to 1966 “for training young men and women in practical and theoretical farming." In 1966, we began a cooperative agreement with SUNY Plattsburgh to conduct an environmental science program.

	James A. Fitzpatrick Library The library is located next to the Miner Center Educational Building. It houses approximately 5,000 books, research reports, conference proceedings and videos, as well as numerous maps and journal holdings. The library is also equipped with four networked computers, a color printer and TV/VCR. For more information, contact Amy Bedard at (518) 846-7121, ext. 149.
	Miner Institute Laboratory Complex The Miner Institute laboratory complex includes several laboratories that serve a wide variety of functions from education to research. The laboratories are used for our educational courses in dairy and farm management and applied environmental science. The forage laboratory, where monthly samples are tested to aid in diet formulation, is an extension of our dairy farm. The environmental laboratory focuses on evaluating the environmental impact of dairy management practices. The laboratory complex as a whole became GLP (Good Laboratory Practices) compliant in 2003 during a rumen fluid dissolution study. Other facets of the laboratory and dairy operation will continue to develop in GLP compliance.
	Miner Center Computer Laboratory The Miner Center complex hosts a state-of-the-art computer laboratory facility. The computer laboratory, which undergoes upgrades on an annual basis, consists of 18 networked computers, along with a color laser printer and a portable digital projector. The center of the room has tables, which can be used to spread out projects or for conferencing. The room is climate controlled with multiple lighting options, making it perfect for lecture, workshops, or homework. For more information, contact Steve Kramer at (518) 846-7121, ext. 127.
	Middleton Miller Student Housing Complex Miner Center and the FitzPatrick Library are within short walking distance of the housing complex. The complex is a single story array of two and three person accommodations arranged in a horseshoe-shaped building. The complex also consists of a courtyard area, tennis and basketball courts. The grass courtyard has a volleyball net and BBQ grill, which provide for recreational opportunities. Free parking surrounds the entire facility. For more information, contact Kirk Beattie at (518) 846-7121, ext. 114.
	Ecosystems Studies Field Lab at Altona Flat Rock The Flatrock watershed is a 6,800-acre sandstone pavement barren located 8 miles from Miner Institute. The watershed consists of a series of reservoirs and small streams that was once the site of a hydroelectric project by William H. Miner at the turn of the century. Presently, it is primarily used for hydrology and ecology education and research with all major reservoir inlets and outlets continuously monitored. Dotted throughout the watershed are wells that are measured for water depth to aid in defining the hydrologic cycle. A solar powered classroom located behind the main dam facilitates education and research activities in the area. For more information, contact Steve Kramer at (518) 846-7121, ext. 127.

Educational Facilities