Farm Ops, the Cornell Small Farms Program’s veteran project, supported 5 scholarships for veterans to attend the Maple Classic Conference. Participants learned ways to optimize their current operations, understood the impacts of climate change on maple production, expanded their value-added offerings, viewed the latest and greatest technologies in the trade show, and much more. The conference began on Friday, January 5 at 4:00pm with a trade show and social opportunities and continued all day on Saturday until 4:30pm. However, there were registration options for one or both days. To be eligible, veterans had to reside in NYS and have been producing and selling maple products for at least two years. Farm Ops reimbursed up to $100 for the registration fee, up to $150 for lodging, and mileage to and from the event.
Veterans who attended on a Farm Ops scholarship spoke highly of the experience. One participant shared, “Maple Camp was AMAZING. The instructors walked us through the entire process required for tapping maple trees, harvesting sap, and processing syrup. The accommodations created the perfect opportunity for group bonding and late-night talks. It feels cliché to call this experience ‘magical,’ but I could not have imagined a more immersive and meaningful workshop experience.”
Another veteran highlighted the practical knowledge gained: “I wanted to attend Maple Camp to learn more about collecting and processing sap for syrup. I was also interested in making different value-added products like maple sugar, maple cream, and maple candy. I plan on using the skills I learned to set up tubing for sap collection, saving me time and effort. It was also helpful to stay in the same house as the other attendees to talk about ideas and network.”
A third attendee reflected on the depth of instruction: “The overall experience exceeded expectations. I not only gained knowledge regarding the science behind maple syrup production but also learned about annual tap site locations, reverse osmosis, and evaporators. Seeing the equipment in action was far more valuable than reading about it in a book. The evening confectionery lessons and marketing strategies were particularly beneficial.”
The event, organized by the New York State Maple Producers Association, provided veterans with valuable tools and insights to enhance their maple operations. Farm Ops’ support ensured that these veterans had access to hands-on learning experiences, expert guidance, and a supportive community of fellow maple producers.
