Sweet Talk: All Things Maple

This month, Adam catches up with regular guest of the show, Dr. Abby van den Berg, an independent maple researcher who also holds a faculty position at Future Generations University. Together, they discuss what's really going on in the sap and in the evaporator that ultimately results in the flavors we know as pure maple syrup. Episode Produced by Ailis Clyne.Music - Long and Low Cloud, Funk and Flash, both by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

This month, Adam interviews Joël Boutin, a maple specialist, consultant, and educator from Québec, Canada. He is considered by many to be the foremost maple expert working today. After 40 years working in the maple industry, he has much to share, and, amazingly, still much to learn as the industry rapidly grows and changes. This episode focuses on best tapping practices that could help ensure success this sap season.Episode produced by Ailis Clyne.Music - Long and Low Cloud, Funk and Flash, both by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

This month, Aaron interviews Alina Stelick, manager of the Cornell Sensory Evaluation Center. She shares the results of research pursued for her doctorate degree on buddy syrup and other late season syrup sensory profiles, as well as on consumer acceptance of these syrups.Alina Stelick's buddy syrup research has resulted in two Extension Bulletins that are available now on the Cornell Maple Program home page (www.cornellmaple.com).Episode Produced by Ailis Clyne.Music - Long and Low Cloud, Funk and Flash, both by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

This month, Aaron interviews Eric Shatt, owner of Redbyrd Orchard Cider & Kombucha. Together, he and his wife Deva Maas operate a diversified farm with a wide array of hard cider apple tree varieties, sheep and geese that graze the orchards, and a small maple sugarbush. These enterprises synergize, not only on the land, but also in the cidery / fermentation kitchen where they develop unique value-added products.Find Redbyrd Orchard at the Ithaca Farmers Market, or learn more at: https://www.redbyrdorchardcider.com/Episode Produced by Ailis Clyne.Music - Long and Low Cloud, Funk and Flash, both by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

This month, Aaron interviews Gabe Karns from The Ohio State University. Gabe has been studying Freeman's maple, a hybrid between red and silver maple that may prove to be more resilient and just as productive as sugar maple. Gabe can be reached at: karns.36@osu.edu Episode Produced by Ailis Clyne. Music - Long and Low Cloud, Funk and Flash, both by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

This month, Adam interviews Scott St. Mary from St. Maple in Malone, NY. Scott has a unique and successful approach to maple marketing and retail, especially through novel products and a popular maple food trailer. Episode Produced by Ailis Clyne. Music - Long and Low Cloud, Funk and Flash, both by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

This month, Adam interviews two researchers from the University of Michigan, Geoff Lewis and Spencer Checkoway, who received a USDA-AMS ACER grant to conduct a carbon lifecycle assessment of maple syrup production. To help contribute to this research, contact Geoff Lewis at: glewis@umich.edu, and to view the results of this research, go to the Center for Sustainable Systems website: css.umich.edu. This research will result in a calculator tool hosted on the CSS website for maple producers to better understand the sustainability and efficiency of their operations. Additionally, there are a couple of reports available now related to this research. Find them under "Publications" here: https://css.umich.edu/people/student-researchers/spencer-checkoway. Episode Produced by Ailis Clyne. Music - Long and Low Cloud, Funk and Flash, both by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

This month, Aaron pays a visit to Dan Weed's sugarhouse, located just over the hill from the Arnot Forest. Dan wears many hats, as owner and operator of Schoolyard Sugarbush in Newfield, NY, along with his wife Holly, as a CDL equipment dealer, and as President of the New York Maple Producers' Association. Learn more about Schoolyard Sugarbush: https://www.schoolyardsugarbush.org/ Learn more about the NYSMPA: https://nysmaple.com/ Episode Produced by Ailis Clyne. Music - Long and Low Cloud, Funk and Flash, both by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

This month, Aaron and Adam give a preview into the 2024 NY Mid-Winter Maple Classic - the largest maple conference of the year. The conference will be held on January 5 and 6 at the Oncenter in Syracuse, NY. Register and learn more at: https://nysmaple.com/mapleclassic/ Episode Produced by Ailis Clyne. Music - Long and Low Cloud by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

Aaron interviews Dr. Joey Aloi, director of the Appalachian Program and Assistant Professor at Future Generations University in West Virginia. They talk about a recent economic development project that created a regional maple syrup brand for Appalachian sugarmakers, and educates the public about all things maple. They also discuss the outsized impact maple syrup has on the regional economy and agritourism. To learn more, contact Joey at: joey.aloi@future.edu Episode Produced by Ailis Clyne. Music - Long and Low Cloud, Funk and Flash, both by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

This month, Adam once again interviews Dr. Timothy Perkins before he retires from his position as Director of the Proctor Maple Research Center at UVM. Together they remember Dr. Perkins' fruitful career: the ups and downs, the mistakes learned from, and the discoveries and innovations that made it all worth it. We thank Dr. Perkins for his contributions to the maple industry and wish him well in his retirement. Episode Produced by Ailis Clyne. Music - Long and Low Cloud, Funk and Flash, both by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

This month, Adam catches up with a regular guest of the show, Dr. Abby van den Berg who is a Research Associate Professor at UVM and the Director of the Proctor Maple Research Center. They discuss and dispel some of the myths surrounding sugarmaking with Red Maple trees, including: tapping technique, productivity, flavor difference, and timing of onset of buddy flavor. Spoiler alert - go ahead and tap your Red Maples! Episode Produced by Ailis Clyne. Music - Long and Low Cloud, Funk and Flash, both by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)