November 3, 2009
Use before November 21, 2009
Contact: Mike Farrell, Uihlein Maple Sugar Research Station, 518-523-9337

Last Chance for Making Maple Confections in Northern NY

Lake Placid, NY -- The last opportunity for Northern New York maple producers to take advantage of value-added training in converting their syrup into sweet confections is 9am to 3 pm on November 21st at Uihlein Forest Cornell University’s Sugar Maple Research & Extension Field Station in Lake Placid.

New York State Maple Specialist Stephen Childs of Cornell University will lead the hands-on instruction that has been funded for the past three and a half years by New York Farm Viability Institute and Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grants.

Participants in the Maple Confections II workshop will learn the basics of invert sugar and controlling crystal formation. Product demonstrations will include making maple-coated nuts, maple meringues, maple cheesecake, suckers made from 100 percent maple syrup, maple soft drinks, maple slushies, maple smoothies, maple cream wafer cookies, maple marshmallow, maple cotton candy, maple syrup straws, and maple sugar straws.

Childs says, “The firsthand experience with the various product demonstrations help producers choose the products that best fit their farm and marketing situation.”

The workshop will take place in the new education center at 157 Bear Cub Lane in Lake Placid. Pre-registration is required; contact Uihlein Forest Director Michael Farrell at 518-523-933 or mlf36@cornell.edu. The workshop cost is $15 and includes lunch. Make checks payable to Cornell University and send to 157 Bear Cub Lane, Lake Placid, NY 12946.

More than 600 maple producers across New York state have taken this value-added training, expanded their product line and increased their profitability as a result.

Additional resources for making maple syrup can be found on the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program website at www.nnyagdev.org.  # # #