Southern Syrup Research Symposium

[DrTimPerkins]

Southern Syrup Research Symposium

September 28 and 29th
Summersville, WV

The maple world will turn south this September to focus its attention on the potential for syrup production in the Central Appalachians. With plenty of maple, as well as birch, walnut, sycamore, sorghum, and a relatively untapped market, the Central Appalachian and surrounding region is experiencing renewed interest and growth in the making of syrup. West Virginia organized a producers association 4 years ago to Kentucky just last fall.

The purpose of the Southern Syrup Research Symposium is to focus attention on the specific opportunities and challenges of sap and syrup production in this region. It is to bring together scientists, extension specialists and producers to learn and to discuss the issues.

Friday is dedicated to research presentations pertinent to the purpose of the Symposium. Researchers from The Proctor Maple Research Center, Cornell University, West Virginia University, Virginia Tech, Ohio State and others will be on the agenda. The goal is to learn about the sap and syrup research work being done, how it applies to environmental conditions in the Central Appalachians, and identify areas that need further exploration.

Saturday will be time for our maple experts to interact with sap and syrup producers. The day is structured around a series of panel discussions on topics to include: Sanitation, Agroforestry, Entrepreneurship and marketing, Sorghum, Technological Innovations, and Alternative Tree Saps. There will also be a session for producers to share their experiences as they grapple with issues pertinent to sap and syrup production in the region. Saturday also features a plenary session on climate change and syrup production.

Friday evening will feature a special West Virginia Welcome reception, including a square dance featuring a dance “ The Maple Syrup Real” choreographed special for this event. The Symposium also features a Vendor Trade Show and a poster session featuring maple initiatives taking place in colleges and schools.

For more information, and to register go to: http://www.syrupsymposium.com
or call: Paula Smith 304-358-2000

[bmbmkr]

Thanks for posting!

[Haynes Forest Products]

Holy Moly Doc I was thrown back to 1962 when we were required to take Square dancing in 6th grade during gym class. Dang I wish I had paid a little more attention to my Allemande lefts instead of Stacking the wood.

That's great to hear that interest is moving south. I interested in the lack of real cold fluctuations and season length.

[220 maple]

Thanks Dr. Tim for starting thread.
I have a listing of Maple Experts that are scheduled to attend.
Over the next several days or posts I will share their names and a brief bio, and any personal knowledge from previously meeting them.
Before I start I feel it only fair I give a brief bio on me.
My name is Mark Bowers, I can be found on Maple trader as Mark 220 Maple.
I was the first President of the West Virginia Maple Assoc. come to the Symposium and I will tell you the whole story if you want to know how the association got started .
In my notes from our first ever meeting before we formed the association, if we had an association we could have educational events, We have had several, this one in my opinion is the cream of the Crop!!!!!
See you in Summersville!

Mark 220 Maple

[220 maple]

Friday Speaker
Kristen Carrington, Cooperative Forest Health Programs Specialist, WVDA Presentation Asian Longhorned Beetles,
I have not crossed path with Kristen yet, her topic has become more relevant to West Virginians, I recently seen trapped placed at Coopers Rock State Park, Quite concerning because probably twenty years ago their was traps set for Emerald Ash Borers, in the last 4 years they have wiped out our Ash Trees, so fingers crossed this does not happen to the Maples in Twenty years!

See You in Summersville
Mark 220 Maple

[220 maple]

Next Speakers on my List
Tom Hammett, Ph.D., Virginia Tech, and Matt Cabral, Virginia Producer. Presentation Southern Possibility: Adding Value to Virginia tree syrup production.
I have never met either to these gentlemen, Matt has been doing some education events around Virginia.
Their topic should have great value for us southern producers.

See you in Summersville
Mark 220 Maple

[220 maple]

Next on Fridays speaker list
Les Ober, Agriculture and Natural Resources Program Coordinator, Extension OSU
Todd Talivee, Vacuum Expert
Topic: The Benefits of Maximizing and Maintaining Sap Flow in Vacuum Tubing Systems: the Ohio experience, and how it relates to the southern sap season.
Todd I have not met yet, Les on the other hand was a speaker at the Maple Boot Camp we had at WVU two summers ago, He is great to talk to and is willing to share his maple knowledge, I hope some day my wife gets to meet him because I told her Les with his extension background reminds me of her Father a former County Extension Agent, It is like all Extension Agents are cut from the same mold, they know their stuff and they have a special way to help people.
Trust me folks Les Ober alone is worth the trip if you are into Maple
See you in Summersville
Mark 220 Maple

[220 maple]

Next on Speakers list:
Jeff Debellis, GIS expert Topic WV Temperatures regimes: Variations around the State
This should be a interesting discussion, considering the Variations that occur with in counties and sometimes no further than 35 miles apart. I'm not talking about one or two days in a season I'm talking about every day in the season!
See you in Summersville
Mark 220 Maple

[220 maple]

On the Speakers list next is none other:
Tim Perkins, Ph.D., Director Proctor Maple Research Center, UVM Dr. Tim's Topic: Spout and Tubing Sanitation for 5/16 and 3/16 Tubing systems.
I only met Dr. Tim once, I was asked to haul my Amish friend Henry Breeneman to Vermont for the Open Houses and Equipment dealers seminar, I believe that was the Spring of 2010 or 11.
Dr. Tim may remember me because I asked a question that a West Virginia State Forester want me to ask him. I did not ask the question in front of the group that had assembled for his presentation.
So to refresh the Question now may jog his memory. The state forester wanted to know how much radiation is in Maple Sap. Why he wondered is because the trees of earth is storing the radiation that was released by the bombs that was detonated during WW II, and I would guess any other release of radiation? I did shake his hand and Thanked him for getting on Maple Trader and sharing info. with us!
This is the best chance to get education about Maple from one of the top 10 researchers in the Maple World. Southern Producers don't miss this chance.
See you in Summersville
Mark 220 Maple

[220 maple]

Next up on my list, the number one Female Maple Researcher in the World!
Abby van den Berg, known in our maple area as Dr. Abby. Topic: Sustainable tapping guidelines, tapping below the lateral line and sap production from small diameter trees
Yes I'm bias for calling her Number 1, but until I meet another young lady with more knowledge about maple, she is number 1
She came to West Virginia two years ago and presented this topic to a small gathering of producers in the Eastern Panhandle, at Potomac State College. All attendees will be well served to heed her advice on this topic. Though many probably don't know, Dr. Abby is a Maryland Native, from near Cumberland, Md. Her mother is a retired professor at Potomac State.
See you in Summersville
Mark 220 Maple

[220 maple]

Next Speaker on the List:
Steve Childs, Sugar Maple Program Director, Cornell University, Topic 3/16 inch tubing: A look at its issues and Opportunities.
Mr. Childs was one of the instructors at Maple Boot Camp we had at WVU couple years ago, he made the confections, Candy, Cream, Sugar, Cotton Candy and even Maple Pop.
He like Les Ober is one of those guys you would want to live in your neighborhood, Many years of maple knowledge, and willing to share ideas!
See you in Summersville
Mark 220 Maple

[220 maple]

Following Steve Childs on the Speakers list:
Dr. Mike Farrell, Former Director of Syrup Production at Cornell University. Now CEO of The Forest Farmers, LLC, Dr. Mike's Topic: Tapping Potential of Maple, Birch, and Walnut in the Central Appalachians
He has been in our area twice before, once at Dry Fork Mapleworks, he talked about tubing installation. Other time he was one of the instructors at Maple Boot Camp at WVU, I believe he now has a working Sugar Camp, will be interesting to question him about being on the other side?
See you in Summersville
Mark 220 Maple

[220 maple]

By this time next Saturday The Symposium will be over, it like all other events that West Virginia Maple Syrup Producers have held or been involved with will be a great success. I will meet producers after the event and I will say to them! You should have went to that event. Because time has become short and I have been busy selling at Festivals, I'm going to briefly comment on the other speakers that I have met in the past.
Cindy Martel. Marketing Specialist with The WV Dept. of Ag. Her topic is Tap to Table. I have worked with her for the last 4 or more years, she has been involved with every event planning that are Maple Assoc. has had. She is a member of The WVMSPA.
Dr. Jamie Schuler. Professor at WVU. Director of Southern Syrup Research Institute. Topic: Chemical composition of Maple Sap from trees grown on former surface mines, Jamie started a maple syrup class at WVU,
Has a sugar house on WVU Farm right in Morgantown for educational purposes. Has been a member of WVMSPA for many years.
Dr. Keith Heasley Mining Engineering, WVU. Keith's Topic: Experiments with Sap Flow in 3/16 Tubing. Keith is the new Treasure for the WVMSPA, He has kept detailed records of sap flow from his tap since he begin, not to the extent that records are kept by the researcher's at Proctor or Cornell would gather, He teased me about his presentation when we attended a 3/16 tubing seminar last month with Tim Wilmot. I'm hoping his info as well as what I have to Share during Panel discussion's prompt future research projects.
And Finally that bring me to Dr. Mike Rechlin, Mike is the West Virginia Dept. of Ag. Maple Commodity Specialist. He also is a Instructor at Future Generation University in Franklin, WV. Mike has been involved with Maple for many, many years, Taught Maple Classes at several schools before coming to West Virginia, I enjoy talking with Mike, you got an Idea, Mike will listen, always offers suggestions, those that go to this event be sure you meet Mike before you leave.
See you in Summersville
Mark 220 Maple

[Biz]

Looking forward to being there and participating in Dr. Heasley's panel discussion!

Dave

[DrTimPerkins]

On my way to WV with a brief stop in NYC to visit my daughter and a day at Gettysburg. Hope to see and chat with several producers there.

[fred]

excellent job mike and crew. Lots of information exchanged!! Well thought out program

[DrTimPerkins]

Posting per a request....

Second Southern Syrup Research Symposium

See attached flyer....

22397

[220 maple]

Thanks again for restarting the thread on the Southern Maple Symposium! I will be extremely shocked if this one does not have twice as many producers attend. Morgantown is closely located to Somerset County Pa. With two equipment dealers in that county they get the word out! I have already heard from some in that area that are looking forward to the event. I also gave Dr. Jamie Schuler a heads up at the WV Syrup Producers meeting to expect big crowds. Several new producers in West Virginia since the last Symposium. And many plan to attend! Virginia is working on forming a Maple Association and some of their members that I talk to and know also hope to attend.
Mark 220 Maple