If the history of the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm is one graced by philanthropy, then one of its greatest chapters was written in March by Amy E. Tarrant -- who made the farm's largest gift ever -- and earlier by several other generous donors over the past few years who helped secure this Weybridge farm's future as one of the College's outstanding education resources and one of Vermont's premier landmarks and tourist destinations. Tarrant's $1million commitment will establish an $800,000 endowment for the UVM Morgan Horse Farm and assign $200,000 for immediate operating and facility improvements. Anne Brown and Irwin Plotkin '53 made recent generous gift annuity contributions. Brown's contribution will establish the Harold Brown '52 and Anne Brown Endowment Fund for the UVM Morgan Horse Farm. Plotkin's gift will benefit the farm's educational programs. In addition, Orlando, Florida resident Lora Dunlap's major estate plan commitment enabled the Farm to conclude its 50th anniversary fundraising campaign. This campaign began in 2000 with a goal of raising $500,000 for facilities and $1.5 million for the Donald J. Balch endowment. Thanks to more than 370 donors, the campaign far exceeded its goal with total commitments of $3.4 million. "The Morgan Horse Farm is an important part of the history and culture of the University of Vermont, and indeed, the entire state and region," said UVM President Daniel Mark Fogel, in announcing the Tarrant gift. "This endowment will give the farm a margin of comfort it's never had in meeting its annual operating expenses and investing in the maintenance of its historic buildings." "We appreciate all of the contributions made to the UVM Morgan Horse Farm over the past few years and to the leadership of campaign chair Dr. Jerome Modell, for the successful completion of the 50th anniversary campaign," said Rachel Johnson, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "We are especially grateful to those who have made major gift commitments that will help this historic facility and its cherished UVM Morgans serve the needs of our students, the visiting public and the worldwide Morgan horse community for generations to come." The donation of the farm itself by Middlebury publisher and philanthropist Joseph Battell to the U.S. Government took place in 1907. That donation established the U.S. Morgan Horse Farm and the "Government" line of Morgan horses. While the federal government ended its Morgan breeding program in 1951 when it donated the farm to UVM, Government mares and stallions became a valuable part of UVM's Morgan horse breeding program. The Government line is considered one of the best in the world. The farm is also UVM's equine science students' laboratory to learn animal care and breeding. "We are privileged to be the stewards of this historic site and to carry forward the excellent Morgan horse breeding tradition started here under Joseph Battell and carried on by the U.S. Government," said Stephen Davis, long-time director of the UVM Morgan Horse Farm. "Our future is bright thanks to these wonderful donations." Amy Tarrant has long been a supporter of the UVM Morgan Horse Farm. She also funded the Ellen A. Hardacre Equine Center at UVM, named after her mother. Three of Tarrant's five children are UVM alumni -- Jerry '89, Richard '90 and Brian '93.