Welcome to Maple Syrup Grading School
The International Maple Syrup Institute Maple Grading School is for maple producers, bulk syrup buyers, state inspectors, and others needing to accurately grade maple syrup or judge maple product entries at fairs and contests. Quality control issues are also addressed. This school provides a strong scientific base combined with intensive hands-on exercises. This approach enables participants to learn how to grade or judge maple products with confidence.
Over 120 participants have attended the International Maple Syrup Institute Maple Grading School since 2004. They increased their knowledge about grading maple syrup and saved money by increasing their profits, increasing their sales, or reducing their costs.
“The hands-on aspect was awesome! I retain so much more with hands on training and I feel like I am walking away with a lot!” –Participant, 2007
“The hands-on workshops definitely increased my confidence in grading.” –Participant, 2006
“For me as a small producer and educator, I think the actual grading part is less important than the information about how to be sure we are making high quality product — free of the defects we learned about.” –Participant, 2005
Winners of the 2011 Golden Maple Leaf
Photo by Alison Kosakowski
The 2011 International Maple Syrup Institute Golden Maple Leaf Award recognizes outstanding contributions which have helped advance the North American Maple Syrup Industry in at least one of the following areas: research, education/technology transfer, equipment innovation, or product marketing
The 2012 Maple Syrup Grading School
Tentative – October 26 – 27, 2012 at the Windham County Extension Office held in conjunction with the NAMSC/IMSI Annual Meetings. If you need additional information or have any questions, please contact Kathy Hopkins at (207) 474-9622 or khopkins@maine.edu,
The 2011 Maple Syrup Grading School
Wednesday – Thursday, December 7-8, 2011
UVM Extension Office, Berlin, VT
Registration Fee of $130.00 (US funds): Includes coffee, tea and juice, lunch, and snacks, as well as reference materials and a take home maple grading kit.
Registration Deadline: November 28, 2011
Directions To Berlin Extension Office
Online registration
(or download our Vermont school Packet with Mail-In Registration Form [Word])
If you need additional information or have any questions, please contact Kathy Hopkins at (207) 474-9622 or khopkins@maine.edu,
