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