2011 New York State Maple Conference Session Times Locations and Descriptions
January 8th, 2011 VVS High School, Verona NY
Session I 9:00-10:15
Auditorium Vacuum basics, Glen Goodrich, Goodrich Maple Farm
The basics of how vacuum works, how to size a vacuum pump for your system, selecting the right pump, and getting vacuum to effectively function throughout your sap collection system are all part of this session.
LGI Beginner panel - Most important things I learned in my first three years, Panel of nearly new maple producers
This panel of 4 fairly new maple operations will describe how they made the jump to commercial maple production and the most important lessons learned in those first few years. Learn from their successes and their mistakes. Lots of opportunity for questions and answers.
Media Center Maple grading and labeling laws in New York, Sharon Hall, NYS Ag and Markets
Correct grading and labeling of maple products is expected by your customer and the food products inspectors. If you package and sell maple products it is important to know and abide by the regulations for New York State. This session will give you a clear understanding of correct grading requirements for clarity, density, color and flavor. Learn the proper components of a legal maple product label. Understand the implications for incorrect grading and labeling.
Middle School Café. Everything about granulated maple sugar, Steve Childs, Cornell Maple Program
This session will demonstrate making granulated maple sugar of different textures and with different kinds of equipment. How to insure that the syrup you choose will make good granulated sugar. Ways to sample maple sugar with customers. Products made using maple sugar: cotton candy mix, maple cheese cake, maple apple pie, maple sugar for coffee, and as a sugar replacement in any recipe.
#11 Empty
#12 Using social networks as a marketing tool, Helen Thomas, Maxon Estate Farms
The most effective way to stay in contact with your customers and potential customers seems to be rapidly changing. This session will focus on the ever changing way people shop for and find products.
#13 Insects that eat my trees, Mark Whitmore, Cornell Natural Resources
Here is the latest on Asian Longhorned Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer and Forest Tent Caterpillar, where are they now, what to watch for and what to expect.
#14 Interesting events in the history of maple production, Carl Stearns, Stearns Farm
This session will take a brief look into the tradition of maple production, how slowly it changed until 50 years ago, how rapidly it has changed since then. Native American culture, cauldrons and kettle stoves, evolution of the evaporator, and syrup making 50 to 60 years ago will be explored. See the changes in methods and technology in the last 50 years and since the 1990’s. In conclusion, we will look at ways of integrating maple history into today’s consumer education and marketing.
Music Suite Maple Queen and Princess Program
Young people who would like to help promote the maple industry as Maple Queen, Princess, King or Prince will be judged on private interview skills, public speaking as they present short speeches on their choice of topic related to maple, poise and confidence and answering of an on stage question. Winners will be named for each county represented and each queen and princess winner will have the opportunity to represent her county at the New York State Maple queen Pageant in Croghan. This first session is primarily private interviews. For the presentation of speeches and onstage questions be sure to visit us during the second session.

Break 10:15-10:45

Session II 10:45-12:00
Auditorium RO basics, Brad Gillian, Leader Evaporator
This session will discuss all the basics of selecting, operating, storing, cleaning, using and affording an RO effectively in your maple operation.
LGI Increasing sap yields through spout and drop replacement, Dr. Tim Perkins, UVM Proctor Maple Research Center
Several studies at the UVM Proctor Maple Research Center over the past several years have focused on ways to increase sap yield in vacuum tubing systems. Sanitation practices in the sap collection system can have large effects on sap yield. This presentation will compare and contrast the results of using annually-replaceable spout adapters, Check-valve spout adapters, dropline replacement and other strategies to improve sap yield.
Media Center Grading, storing and packing syrup for retail and bulk sales, Henry Marckres, Vermont Dept. of Ag
Packing and storing maple syrup in a way to maintain grade and quality is very important to getting the most return for your syrup. Proper technique reheating, filtering, filling containers, sealing and storage all play an important part in a quality product for the market.
Middle School Café. Maple coated nuts demonstration, Reed Baker, Baker's Maple Products
Reed from Baker’s Maple Products will demonstrate the art of making quality maple coated nuts for retail sale or personal use.
#11 Maple production for the beginner Eric Randall, Randall’s Maple Products
Basic information about selecting trees, tapping, collecting sap, boiling, filtering and canning syrup will be discussed. This session is primarily for those who have not yet made maple syrup or are fairly new at it.
#12 Maple tree regeneration, replanting and recruitment – the future of your sugarbush, Brett Chedzoy, CCE Schuyler County
How will you replace the gradual losses of tap trees in your sugarbush? Whether you rely on natural or artificial regeneration (planting), there are a number of tips, tricks and considerations to ensure adequate recruitment of new tap trees to for a productive sugarbush over the long-term.
#13 Sugarbush management recommendations – by the numbers. A hands-on workshop Peter Smallidge, Cornell Maple Program
Learn the basics of how to measure trees in your sugarbush so you can describe the trees you have and make management decisions to improve growth. This indoor session is a companion to outdoor field workshops being offered throughout the state in warmer months. Be sure to bring a calculator for the indoor session.
#14 Product liability and insurance coverage for the maple producer, William Tulley, Farm Family Insurance
This session will cover the issues a maple producer may face and potential insurance solutions to those issues. What if I invite the public to visit my sugarhouse, what if someone were to claim to have become sick or injured from syrup I sold, what if, what if, what if. If you have some what if questions about your maple operation this is a good session for you.
Hall near Auditorium Maple tubing for the beginner demonstration, Phil and Hamilton Sage, Sage Family Maple
Learn the basics of tubing installation on a simulated sugar bush. Geared toward producers new to installing tubing or who want to brush up on installation procedures and guidelines.
Ag Shop So you want to weld stainless, limit of 20, Rob Roser, Agriweld
Rob will discuss the food safety aspects of stainless steel, then demonstrate the equipment and techniques of welding stainless steel. Presentation includes welding safety , tips and techniques when working with stainless steel and explores opportunities for maple producers. Examples of work displayed. Rob has 19 years of experience and a mobile welding unit for remote sites. Workshop is limited to the first 20 participants.
Music Suite Maple Queen and Princess Program
Young people who would like to help promote the maple industry as Maple Queen, Princess, King or Prince will be judged on private interview skills, public speaking as they present short speeches on their choice of topic related to maple, poise and confidence and answering of an on stage question. Winners will be named for each county represented and each queen and princess winner will have the opportunity to represent her county at the New York State Maple queen Pageant in Croghan. This session is for the presentation of speeches and onstage questions. Be sure to visit us during this second session.

Lunch 12:00-1:15