Canopy of trees.
Sugarbush managers and consulting foresters are invited to a field day on July 30 coordinated by University of Maine Cooperative Extension which will include a tour at Nutkin Knoll Farm in Newburgh and educational sessions highlighting resilient sugarbush management.

UMaine Extension to offer sugarbush management field day in Newburgh

July 6, 2026 Agriculture, In-Person, Insect Pests, Plant Diseases and Pesticide Safety, News, Penobscot

NEWBURGH, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension is coordinating a full-day program on sugarbush management from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 30 at Nutkin Knoll Farm, 269 Chapman Road in Newburgh. This field day will include a tour and educational sessions highlighting different aspects of and methods for resilient sugarbush management. 

Extreme weather along with new and native forest pests increase the importance of intentional forest management planning. UMaine Extension is partnering with the UMaine School of Forest Resources, the Maine Forest Service, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Maine Audubon, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and others to offer a robust, hands-on educational experience for participants. This program is designed for sugarbush managers, consulting foresters, forestry service providers, and those looking to learn more about sugarbush management. 

The event will cover topics including the influence of forest conditions on sap yields, assessing sugarbush habitat, forestry approaches to enhance sugarbush resilience, invasive species management, certification programs, and cost share opportunities for management. Confirmation of Society of American Foresters (SAF) CEU credits and Maine Board of Pesticide Control (BPC) credits is pending. 

The base registration cost for this program is $45 with a sliding scale option. Advance registration is required on the Cooperative Extension Maple Syrup Production page. Lunch will be provided. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Ava Sharpe at ava.sharpe@maine.edu or 207.581.8362. 

This program is supported in part by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (Acer Access Project: #ACER24000137) and MOFGA. 

University of Maine Cooperative Extension

As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety, and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H, which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture, and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.