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Year: 2018
Showing 21 – 30 of 53 resources
The Season is Over: Now, How Will You Sell Your Syrup?
No two sugarmakers follow the exact same path. For some, their business grows slowly, one weekend farmers market at a time, and they prefer to stay small. Others build their backyard operations into wholesale businesses that keep them busy year-round. Some enjoy selling directly to their customers. And others would rather focus on production, and let established retailers take care of the rest. These snapshots of four sugaring enterprises illustrate just a few of those successful models.
Quality Control in the Sugarhouse: Knowing where things can go wrong, and making sure that they don’t.
The most helpful advice for producers concerned about damaging otherwise good syrup is the most basic; make sure to grade each batch carefully and don’t assume that just because everything went smoothly in the sugarhouse that the syrup doesn’t need to be checked. The following is a list of problems that can occur with the four primary qualities of syrup, and how to avoid them.
High Brix Syrup Processing & First Two Seasons with Lapierre HyperBrix
Given our extensive research experience on RO processing and flavor, and the appearance of new RO technology that could concentrate to higher levels, a shift toward this new technology seemed appropriate. Therefore after investigating various options, we entered into a partnership with Lapierre Equipment to utilize the new HyperBrix RO system at UVM PMRC. This paper describes some aspects of our first two seasons of use of this equipment. Given the state of the industry, we define Òhigh brixÓ maple sap processing as RO machines capable of producing concentrate at 30¡Brix or higher.
Sap Buying Spreadsheets
This spreadsheet tool helps determine the value of sap based on a range of factors.
Maple Industry Panel
Where is the maple industry headed? Where are bulk prices headed? Is the global market demand for syrup keeping pace with the expansion in production? This panel discussion includes Bruce Bascom (Bascom Maple Farms), John Kingson (Butternut Mountain Farm), David Hall (Quebec Federation of Maple Producers) and Mark Cannella (UVM Extension Farm Business Specialist). The session is moderated by Mark Isselhardt (UVM Extension Maple Specialist)
Ecommerce Strategy
The Internet has made it possible for maple farms to sell direct to customers everywhere. However, the online market is crowded and itÕs not enough just to put up an e-commerce website. Peter Cooper-Ellis of Hidden Springs Maple covers strategies and pitfalls for using the Internet to market maple products. This presentation also discusses the impact that Amazon is having on the on-line market and strategies for selling on Amazon.
Quebec Federation
The Federation of Quebec Maple Producers (FPAQ) was founded in 1966 to help Quebec producers bring maple syrup to market. Today, FPAQ represents 13,500 producers who collectively make ~72% of the worldÕs maple syrup crop. David Hall is one of the 13 Directors in the organization. He provides an overview of the organization and its various marketing efforts.
Asian Longhorned Beetle
This presentation by Tim Barwise (MA-DCR) the 2018 Vermont Maple Conferences covers the current infestation and the USDA-APHIS response to asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) in the greater Worcester, MA area.
Sugar House Discharge
Patrick Fry (Ag engineer with VT Agency of Ag. Food and Markets) covers issues related to maple operations and possible water quality issues. This presentation discusses easy (and cheap) solutions for mitigate most concerns the VT Agency of Agriculture (VAAFM) and Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) may have. The talk also covers VAAFM grant programs and how/when they may be applicable.