Enhancing the Awareness, Knowledge, and Understanding of Sustainable Maple Syrup Production Practices Among Current and Potential Maple Syrup Producers

Sustainable maple syrup production is dependent upon many factors, including forest stand dynamics, the number and size of sugar and red maple trees suitable for tapping, and the optimal temperature range during the tapping season. Furthermore, forest succession, climate change, and natural disturbances all influence these factors. The interplay among these factors determine potential level of maple syrup production in a particular locality. The long-term goal of this project is to develop education and extension training resources, building on integrated research to enhance producer and landowner awareness, understanding, and knowledge of sustainable maple syrup production in Kentucky and other maple producing states. To achieve this long-term goal, several activities will be implemented under two specific objectives: (i) develop spatiotemporal-economic education and extension analytic tools to enhance maple syrup production by county in syrup producing states, and (ii) develop and implement novel education and extension resources targeting new and current maple syrup producers in Kentucky. The project will utilize the most current and forecasted data on maple syrup production for all maple syrup producing states by county with flexibility for similar application at individual producer and landowner unit in an easy to use online dashboard portal. This project will recruit new maple syrup producers, expand current maple syrup production, and educate landowners and operators about the economic benefits of maple syrup production as a viable business and a sustainable natural resource activity.