Extension Maple Syrup

As one of our forestry program areas, UW–Madison Division of Extension’s maple syrup outreach aims to:

• Promote the practice and culture of sugaring in Wisconsin
• Provide information and resources for maple syrup producers
• Support sustainable forestry practices of maple syrup producers.

Our partners for this work include:

• UW-Stevens Point Wisconsin Forestry Center
• Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers Association
• Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory Council

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Here are some highlights from the first four years of our maple syrup work:

• We held 50+ presentations on beginning maple syrup production and related forestry topics to over 2,000 people.
• We held 3 sugarbush forestry workshops with UW–Stevens Point, reaching 75 practicing foresters in Wisconsin.
• We ran a comprehensive needs assessment survey with responses from 682 maple producers. The survey examined the landscape of Wisconsin maple syrup production along with current opportunities and challenges. Download the full report here. We also published three academic journal articles based on the needs assessment. Visit our research page for more information.
• We built and strengthened networks of producers and professionals. For example, we facilitated updates to Managed Forest Law guidelines for sugarbushes through an ad hoc advisory committee.

“As a small producer for personal use and as gifts to family and friends, I treasure the broad spectrum of maple syrup-related information provided by this [Extension] program. It is highly valuable to me in my rural NW Wisconsin area.”

—Program participant