The West Virginia University JW Ruby Research, Education, and Outreach Center is a 900+ acre farm located in Reedsville, West Virginia. The facility is home to the Hazel Ruby McQuain Equine Education and Resource Center and the equine studies program. It is operated by the Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and features the horse unit, beef unit, acres of forage production, and plays host to equine and other community events.
The farm has a storied history as a horse farm. Previously owned by JW Ruby, it was
home to prized Quarter Horses, Saddlebreds, and Standardbreds in the 1970s. From
the time WVU took over ownership until 2009 the farm was primarily used for beef
cattle production and grazing research. In 2009 with the original 44 stall training
barn and a newly constructed indoor riding arena, horses returned to the property
and it has been home to our horse unit ever since. Hands-on equine studies courses
are taught at the farm throughout the week, and the facility is rented out on the
weekends for horse shows and other community events.
The farm completed Phase I of an exciting redevelopment in 2018 as a result of
a $6.7 million gift from the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust. Phase I construction
added the multipurpose building with portable stalls, a new outdoor arena, and
an educational center with classroom, lab, office, and living space for working
students and interns. Since 2018 the horse shows alone have contributed over $10 million in impact to
the local economy.