The Virginia Tech M.A.R.E. Center
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s horse country, the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension (MARE) Center is one of Virginia Tech’s 11 ARECs. Philanthropist Paul Mellon donated the 420-acre farm to Virginia Tech in 1949 to foster research that improved pasture and animal productivity while enhancing the land. The center was used primarily for beef cattle research for 40 years, but was rededicated to equine research and teaching in 1992.
Today, the MARE Center continues to play a critical role in the discovery, outreach, and education missions of Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Through collaborations with academic and industry partners around the world, the center advances the health and well-being of the horse through innovative research efforts and exceptional educational programming in equine science.