The Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center (MARE Center), was donated to Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 1949 by the late Paul Mellon. Along with the gift of land, Mellon also gave financial support to help establish the Virginia Forage Research Station because he had envisioned such a place where animals and land could be productive and thrive together harmoniously.

During the first 40 years the station focused on beef and dairy cattle research under the direction of the late Roy Blaser, university distinguished professor emeritus of agronomy.

In 1986 discussions began between James Nichols, who was dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the time, and Mellon regarding the future research of the station. The two men formed an ad hoc committee and began to talk about what it would be like to do equine research on this favorable land.

Once agreed to convert the farm from dairy and beef cattle to equine, Mellon generously donated funds for a professorship, later to be known as the Paul Mellon Distinguished Professor of Agriculture. Mellon also supported the erection of several new buildings on the property with his donation.

The first Mellon chair was awarded to the late David Kronfeld, professor emeritus of animal and poultry sciences, in 1988 and under his leadership fescue pastures developed for cattle was converted to bluegrass and clover pastures for horses.

During this time Kronfeld conducted a nutritional survey in selected Virginia areas to see just where the research focus should begin at the station. Results of the survey indicated depletion in copper, zinc and selenium throughout the year, while phosphorus and vitamin A were depleted more so during the winter months.

In 1993, Virginia Tech's "Agricultural Experiment Stations" were changed to "Agricultural Research and Extension Centers"; hence the acronym for the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center became fondly known as the "MARE Center."

Research focus at the center grew and become more prevalent under the direction of the second Mellon professor, Ray Geor, professor of animal and poultry sciences. It was under Geor's direction that research on the aging horse began at the center.

Today the MARE Center continues to conduct state of the art equine research in areas such as pasture associated laminitis, obesity, and insulin resistant related illnesses and growth studies, just to name a few. The center provides educational Extension programs throughout the year on such topics as emergency equine rescue and health and well-being of equine.

Extension services are provided to the local community for pasture and hay evaluations, as well as, general consultation regarding horses and horse facilities.