Maple Syrup Production at Merrifield Farm Edwin Remsberg photo courtesy University of Maine Cooperative Extension
University of Maine Cooperative Extension is set to collaborate with several local organizations in York and Androscoggin counties to present a series of maple sugaring workshops for beginners and small-scale producers in January and February.
There also is an online option hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association.
The programs are designed for backyard and homestead-scale systems that require a limited initial investment in equipment. Discussions will include identifying and tapping trees, collecting and boiling sap, as well as filtering, grading and canning syrup.
On Saturday, Feb. 1, the Southern Maine Maple Sugarmakers Association is scheduled to host Backyard Maple Sugaring from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the York County Extension Office, 45 Kennebunk Road in Alfred. This workshop is developed to give participants a more in-depth overview of the sugaring process.
The morning session will include demonstrations and discussions by UMaine Extension Maple Industry Educator Jason Lilley and several established maple syrup producers. The afternoon will include a tour of a local sugarhouse to highlight how it got started and demonstrate the sap processing equipment it uses. The $18 workshop cost includes a how-to guide. Visit umaine-extension.com to register.
A virtual session hosted by MOFGA and led by Lilley is planned for 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7. Visit MOFGA’s event page at mofga.org to register.
The remaining workshops, which do not include a sugarhouse tour, are scheduled to last approximately two hours and be held Thursday, Jan. 9, at the Julia Adams Morse Memorial Library in Greene; Thursday, Jan. 30, at Massabesic Adult Education in Waterboro; and Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Lewiston Adult Education in Lewiston. Registration will be available in January.
For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, email jason.lilley@maine.edu
Check out other upcoming area events!
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