The Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design and WVU Extension Service will host a “Grateful Gathering” on Saturday (June 2) to dedicate the J.W. Ruby Research Farm at Reedsville and the Hazel Ruby McQuain Equine Education and Resource Center. The event, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., will be held at the J.W. Ruby Research Farm in Reedsville.
In addition to the dedication, the event will celebrate the completion of a successful comprehensive campaign.
In June 2015, the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust made a $6.7 million gift to transform the farm’s current facilities into a modern teaching, research and extension center. The Hazel Ruby McQuain Equine Education and Resource Center will increase student and community opportunities for learning, provide applied research opportunities for faculty and provide an example of how a sustainable farm is managed.
The gift was among many made in conjunction with A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. Conducted by the WVU Foundation, it was the largest private fundraising campaign in WVU history, concluding in December 2017 and raising just over $1.2 billion for the University.
The event will feature live music, food and tours of the new equine education facilities, as well as demonstrations by students in the Young Innovators Fellowship Program and West Virginia 4-H STEM Ambassadors.