Deep roots in agriculture
Molly Caren Agricultural Center is more than the home of Farm Science Review. It is a place with deep roots in Ohio agriculture, shaped by generations of farming, learning and service.
In 1982, The Ohio State University purchased part of the Gwynne family farm from Marie Brown Caren. Her decision helped create a lasting home for Farm Science Review and protected the land’s agricultural purpose for future generations.
A place with deep agricultural roots
The story of Molly Caren Agricultural Center begins long before Farm Science Review moved to Madison County.
Marie Brown Caren’s family history in the area dates back to the early 1800s, when members of the Gwynne family became early settlers in Madison County. Over time, the land remained closely tied to farming and agricultural enterprise. What began as family farmland would eventually become a place where people from across Ohio come together to learn, connect and see agriculture in action.
The family behind the land
For generations, the Gwynne family was connected to the land that would later become Molly Caren Agricultural Center. Their history reflects the growth of Madison County and the importance of agriculture in central Ohio.
The farm was part of a larger family operation that supported crops, livestock and business interests over many decades. Even as ownership changed across generations, the land remained committed to agricultural use.
Who was Molly Caren?
Marie “Molly” Brown Caren was more than the namesake of the center. She was a farmer, an Ohio State alumna and a lifelong supporter of agriculture.
She grew up on her family’s fruit farm near Worthington and later graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in English. After her parents died, she took on management of the family farm and continued that work for many years.
Her connection to Ohio State also grew through agriculture. Faculty and Extension professionals visited the family farm, shared research-based knowledge and helped support practical farming decisions. That relationship reflected the land-grant mission that still defines CFAES today: bringing teaching, research and outreach together to serve Ohio.
Why the land became part of Ohio State
By the early 1980s, Ohio State was looking for a new site for Farm Science Review and agricultural research fields. The university needed space that could support both the annual show and future agricultural work.
Marie Brown Caren shared that vision. She cared deeply about the future of the land and wanted it to remain dedicated to agriculture. In August 1982, she sold the Upper Gwynne South Farm to The Ohio State University at a fraction of its appraised value.
That decision helped secure a permanent home for Farm Science Review and created new opportunities for education, research and community outreach.
A legacy that continues today
Today, Molly Caren Agricultural Center carries forward the purpose Marie Brown Caren valued. It is a place where agriculture comes to life through field demonstrations, research, conservation and learning.
Each year, Farm Science Review brings together farmers, families, students, industry leaders, educators and community members from across Ohio and beyond. What was once family farmland now serves a much broader purpose — helping people explore ideas, solve problems and advance agriculture.
Why this history matters
The history of Molly Caren Agricultural Center is ultimately a story about stewardship. One family cared for this land for generations. One woman chose to invest in its future. And today, that decision continues to benefit Ohio agriculture and everyone who comes to Farm Science Review.