The Official U.S. Maple Syrup Almanac -- 2017 Alamanc_2017 | Page 19

Mich. Tech
MICHIGAN TECH STUDENTS preach-
ing maple to the next generation
ducting break-even analyses and produc-
tion surveys in the region, and science
majors developing a long-term data base
to evaluate temporal changes in volume
and sugar content of our trees tapped. “
If it can be said that we, as maple syrup
producers, are trying to squeeze every
ounce of sap out of our trees, then Colby-
Sawyer can be said to be squeezing every
ounce of educational opportunity out of
their sugaring program.
An academic minor in
sugaring
If a single experience or a course is not
enough for you, Paul Smith’s College,
in upstate New York, has developed an
academic program in sugaring. The Col-
lege, with a 2,300 tap sugarbush, has had
students tapping trees since its found-
ing in 1946. With help over the years
from maple experts at Cornell’s Uihlein
Sugar Maple Field Station in nearby
U.S. Maple Syrup Almanac
2017
PAUL SMITH’S COLLEGE MAPLE minor students ready for class.
Lake Placid, the College has continuous-
ly improved and expanded its operation.
Two years ago Paul Smith’s developed
an 18 credit hour minor titled: Maple
Production and Products.
Drawing
resources from the College’s departments
of Forestry and Culinary Arts, students in
the minor don chef whites to take courses
such as Maple Sweet and Savory: Maple
Uses in Culinary Baking and Confec-
tion. They then might head outside in
plaid shirts and work boots for a course
in Advanced Silviculture. The minor
augments coursework from the Forestry
and Culinary Arts Departments with
courses from the Business Management
Department, including: Applications in
Bob Bennett
Entrepreneurship.
Expanding links between
sugarhouse, classroom
If you sugar anywhere near the colleges
and universities listed above (or possibly
others), stop on by and introduce your-
self. Invite students visit your sugarbush,
or offer to come into the classroom to
share your years of knowledge and exper-
tise.
If, however, you live near a college or
university that is not on this list, you
might stop by that institution of higher
education with this copy of The Maple
Syrup Almanac. Show them this article,
and ask: why not?
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