[4] The preserve began as a donation of 190 acres (77 ha) of land in 1993 by the Spring Creek Angus Ranch Partnership in memory of Leland Swaner.

Over the next decade several parcels of land would be added, growing the preserve to more than 1,000 acres (400 ha).

[2] In 1933, the iconic white barn was built by the Fletcher family who purchased the farm in 1906 and operated it for more than 35 years.

[5] The Fletcher's sold the entire farm to the Wallin family who owned the land until 2003 when it was acquired by Swaner.

[6] Just one year later, in January 2011, classes began at the center through USU Distance Education.