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Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center (MARE) in Middleburg, Virginia

Middleburg AREC
Middleburg AREC — Some members of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors joined the university’s operational leaders for a tour of the Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs) and other teaching and research facilities across the state from Monday, Feb. 25 through Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. During the four-day tour, participants saw presentations on the activities occurring across the state, toured some of the facilities associated with each location, and learned about the support needs of each off-campus team.
horse coming out of barn horse horses in field horses in field
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Latest AREC updates

  • Video Item
    MARE Center provides experiential internship program for students
    MARE Center provides experiential internship program for students , video

    Each summer, the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center hosts several undergraduate interns to help conduct research and maintain the center's herd of thoroughbreds. “We’re able to give the interns and students that come through the ability to learn equine-based research that not a lot of schools are able to offer,” said Madison Barshick, Ph.D. Candidate and ICTAS Doctoral Scholar.

    Date: 07/24/2024

Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center (MARE) in Middleburg, Virginia

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.  

We invite you to come be part of the MARE Center experience!

DISCIPLINES

Equine nutrition and exercise physiology
Equine health and disease
Animal behavior and psychology
Ecosystem management
Biodevice design

Upclose Image of inertial sensor on front forelimb of horse

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Smart apps for nutrition and exercise decisions
The best management practices living laboratory
Pasture grasses for water and carbon sequestration

smart APP for animal exercise and nutrition on phone

FACILITIES

420 acres
Exercise and nutrition barns
Nature trail and conservation area
Office building and conference room

barn at middleburg AREC

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Equine nutritionists
Conservation groups
Grassland and forage specialists

people talking in field

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Overcast Middleburg, VA: Overcast. 42.3 F (5.7 C) 2:55 pm EST

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