Maple Quality and Grading - Cooperative Extension: Maple Syrup

Maple Quality & Grading

The 2026 International Maple Grading School

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About these Programs

Program Highlights

History & Impact

QC Resources

About These Programs

Having only the highest-quality maple syrup in the retail market is important for the future of the industry. UMaine Extension and our partners are leaders in developing educational resources to support producers, packers, and inspectors in achieving their syrup quality goals.

The Maple Syrup Grading School and Quality Control Program promotes quality and increases profit through two distinct programs offered by UMaine Extension and other partners:

The International Maple Grading School (2-Day)

Join us in 2026 and connect with our industry-leading network at this two-day annual event.

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Regional Maple Quality Control Workshops (1-Day)

See how our expert-led, interactive maple grading workshops work in your area.

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Program Highlights

Expertly Designed Curriculum: Founded by industry pioneers from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, UNH Cooperative Extension, and UMaine Extension.
Industry Validation: Officially adopted by the International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI) as a signature quality protection event.
Continent-Wide Reach: Over 20 years of service, running in almost every state and province across the Maple Producing Region.
Proven Profitability: 25% of surveyed participants explicitly noted that their operations became more profitable as a result of these programs.

History and Impact

The International Maple Syrup Institute Maple Grading School began as the New England Maple Grading School and was the brainchild of Henry Marckres, Sumner Dole, and Kathy Hopkins. With a grant from the Maine Agricultural Center and support from Leader Evaporator, the International Maple Syrup Institute and the Maple Digest, the first school was delivered in 2004 in Lancaster, NH.

Demand for this program has only increased since its inception. It has been held annually and has been adopted by the IMSI as a signature event offered in accordance with its mission to protect the quality and integrity of maple products.

Quality Control Resources

Bulletin #7038, Maple Syrup Quality Control Manual — Essential guidance on sanitization, tapping, and avoiding off-flavors.
Bulletin #7041, Licensing and Regulations for Maple Syrup Processing in Maine — Crucial structural, equipment, labeling, and licensing laws.
Handbook for Maple Grading and Judging Training — Standardized training curriculum for grading and judging product quality.

Maple Food Safety Planning Resource Hub — Comprehensive toolsets for drafting customized food safety protocols.
Annual Syrup Production Packaging Record (Excel) — Downloadable data sheet to log and track yearly processing batches.
OSHA Emergency Action Plan for Maple Producers — Workplace safety compliance templates tailored for sugarhouse operations.

International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI) — The official home of North American maple quality standards.
University of Vermont Proctor Maple Research Center Publications — Cutting-edge academic research papers on yields and forest health.
University of Vermont Extension: Maple Grading Fundamentals — An essential primer breaking down visual grading, density rules, and classification.

University of Vermont Extension: Maple Grading Fundamentals
- Flavor – UVM, Across the Fence (YouTube) — Learn how to identify premium profiles and catch common off-flavors.
- Density – UVM, Across the Fence (YouTube) — A visual walkthrough for accurately dialing in hydrometer measurements.
- Filtering – UVM Extension (YouTube) — Best practices for removing sugar sand (nitre) efficiently.
- Clarity – UVM, Across the Fence (YouTube) — How to evaluate visual uniformity to meet top-tier retail market demands.

At a Glance

The International Maple Grading School

Lead Institution: UMaine Extension
Partner Institution: University of Vermont Extension
Sponsors: International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI), North American Maple Syrup Council
Years Active: 20+ Years (Est. 2004)
IMSI Golden Maple Leaf Award (2011 Winner)
National Association of County Agricultural Agents Search for Excellence in Forestry and Natural Resources (2015 National Winner)

Event Sponsors

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity institution and provider committed to nondiscrimination. For more information, visit extension.umaine.edu/nondiscrimination.

Contact

For more information or to discuss your maple needs, contact:

Jason Lilley,
Assistant Extension Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Maple Industry Educator at email
jason.lilley@maine.edu

75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104
Falmouth, Maine 04105
207.781.6099

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Sponsored by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture