Ohio Maple Days set for Jan. 24-26

WOOSTER, Ohio — This year’s Ohio Maple Days are set for Jan. 24 in Morrow County, Jan. 25 for Wayne and Holmes counties, and Jan. 26 in Geauga County.

The programs, which are the same at each location, offer educational sessions on maple production. They’re timed to help producers get ready for the coming season. Both hobby and commercial producers are welcome.
The sponsor is Ohio State University Extension.

Program locations

The sessions will be offered at the following locations:
• Jan. 24: Morrow County, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lutheran Memorial Camp, 2790 State Route 61, Fulton.
• Jan. 25: Wayne and Holmes counties, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Mennonite Christian Assembly Church, 10664 Fryburg Road, near Fredericksburg.
• Jan. 26:, Geauga County, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Joe J.S. Miller’s Window Shop, 15020 Shedd Road, Burton.

Featured speakers

Kathy Hopkins, Extension maple syrup specialist from the University of Maine, will share information on quality control and selling quality products. Her presentations include “Identification of Fungal Contamination in Maple Syrup,” “Canning Protocols: What Works,” and “Visual Displays and Marketing.”

Nate Bissell of Bissell Maple Farm in northeast Ohio, who will use his technical skills from his professional work and his learned skills as a sugarmaker to discuss how to better market Ohio maple syrup.
Gary Graham, coordinator of OSU Extension’s Ohio Maple Program, will present “Production Statistics: Do the Numbers Really Count?”

There will also be a trade show; reports from OSU Extension and the Ohio Maple Producers Association; testing of hydrometers and Vermont Temporary Maple Syrup Grading Kits (bring them to the program; small additional fee for the testing); and a session called “Maple Nuggets” for sharing questions, ideas and information.

Pre-registration

Pre-registration, which includes lunch, costs $30 and is due by Jan. 18. Payment at the door is $35 and doesn’t include lunch.
Participants can register by sending their name, contact information, and check or money order (made payable to OSU Extension) to OSU Extension, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691.

For more information, call 330-674-3015 or email graham.124@osu.edu.