Syrup Tasting Certification

[Andy VT]

I just read with much interest the Proctor syrup evaluation test.
It mentioned that participants should be certified or experienced.
I had never considered that there may be a course for syrup tasting.
Now that I know that, I am very interested!
I feel that my biggest source of uncertainty as I start out in the syrup hobby, in which I'm selling a small amount of syrup, is how to confidently know that I'm tasting what I should be tasting (and if something tastes off, what exactly is off?)

So.... what is the quickest and most local way I can learn about syrup tasting in or near Chittenden County, Vermont?
Would be neat if I could get qualified in time for the Proctor Research Center taste experiment, but would like to do it either way.

(Or does growing up in Vermont eating pancakes qualify me?)

Thanks!

Andy

[fred]

There will be a class offered at the annual meeting in Wisconsin this fall. there are several dozen grading workshops throughout the country put on every year by IMSI and NAMSC. both websites should have a contact to sign up on a scheduled class.