Regional Maple Quality Control Workshops

About the Workshops

One-day workshops hosted by local organizers across the maple-producing region

Developed by University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the University of Vermont Extension, and hosted by external organizations throughout the year at various locations around the United States. These one-day hands-on workshops cover all aspects of grading maple syrup. Lectures on all topics are paired with hands-on experiential learning, including the utilization of specialized and commonly available tools, and tasting a variety of curated maple syrups. Participants gain experience using a variety of tools for grading color and density, and learn how to avoid common errors with these tools. This program is offered using a hybrid format. Maple quality educational specialists will lead the educational lectures and discussions over Zoom, while participants from your region are together at an in-person location.

Participant Outcomes:

Develop an understanding of the parameters of the four aspects of maple grading (color, clarity, density, and flavor).
Gain hands-on experience with a variety of maple grading tools, and will better understand the use of these tools and the effects of improper use.
Experience guided tasting of high-quality syrup samples that are representative of the four Grade A syrup grades.
Taste and discuss curated off-flavored syrups, and learn the causes of those off-flavors.
Receive a tote bag of tools, resources, and nips of standard flavored syrups.

Locations: All across the maple-producing region

Interested in hosting a quality control workshop?

Expectations of organizers: On-site organizers will work closely with the maple quality control training educators, Jason Lilley (UMaine Extension) and Mark Isselhardt (UVM Extension), and will utilize detailed instructions to successfully prepare for and host this program. Those instructions will include details on the following aspects:

Locating and arranging a host site capable of holding 20 participants, plus organizers and volunteers.
Promoting to and recruitment of maple producers, packinghouse staff, state inspectors, and other interested parties. Programs are prepared for 20 participants.
Arranging food and technology for the day. We will supply a video camera, speaker, and microphone system.
Receiving program supplies before the program. On the day of the program, the organizer and one other volunteer will need to follow detailed instructions on preparing for exercises. The educators have developed an easy-to-follow guide for the day.
Processing payment to UMaine Extension as a lump sum for the 20 participants at your location.

We are currently scheduling events throughout the producing region. If your maple association, Extension office, or local group of maple enthusiasts would like to set up a training or have questions about the program, please don’t hesitate to contact Jason Lilley, Assistant Extension Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Maple Industry Educator, at email jason.lilley@maine.edu or 207.781.6099.

At a Glance