The Proving Ground Farm was formerly named Miller Conservation Farm.

The late Maynard P. and Gladys Mae Stonebraker donated their 80-acre farm to Heidelberg College. The farm was requested to be kept as a memorial to Sidney and Deloria Miller. The Miller’s opened their home during the early 1900s to three orphaned children: Jay Erb, Naomi Monroe, and Maynard Stonebraker. Maynard also set forth in his will that the Farm be “maintained and preserved as a natural setting with an emphasis on conservation and preservation of trees and wildlife.”

All of the work that is accomplished at the farm is through volunteers. Workdays are popular and many great organizations such as the Izaak Walton League, Pheasants Forever, OSU Master Gardeners, and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America donate their generous time.