Scaling up Green Production of Maple Syrup in the Central Hardwood Region

Abstract: In recent years, consumers are demanding more and more “green” goods and services due to growing environmental awareness. Consistent with this trend, recent studies suggest that sustainable, low- carbon-footprint maple syrup may fetch a much higher price in Indiana. However, sustainable sugarbush management and energy-efficient practices are only adopted by a small portion of current producers while most landowners do not engage in sugaring activities in the State. Moreover, cooperative activities are absent among current producers, rendering it difficult to reach economy of scale and lower the carbon footprint per unit of production. Clearly, there is great potential for expanding “green” production, securing sugarbush resources, and lowering carbon footprints in production in Indiana. The project aims to address this need in expansion by filling some knowledge gaps in “green” production through research and educating private landowners and producers through extension. We will also make the findings transferrable to other states in the Central Hardwood Region so the benefits of the project can be maximized. The project has four objectives: 1) understand the drivers of voluntary cooperatives (co-ops) for maple syrup production; 2) develop a proof of concept (POC) for “green” maple syrup co-ops and associated decision-making and educational tools; 3) Profile potential maple syrup producers and sugarbush lessors and estimate the production potential of “green” maple syrup; 4) promote “green” production of maple syrup through a series of targeted educational extension activities.