Project Overview
Commodities
- Miscellaneous: syrup, Maple sap and other tree foods: canned sap, vinegar, canned soda, maple buds, maple flowers,
Practices
- Education and Training: decision support system, demonstration, display, extension, technical assistance, workshop
Proposal abstract:
An urgent need exists to train extension agents in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) on how to assist small farmers developing commercial tree sap procurement and processing operations to make maple syrup and other sap-based foods from regional orchard, managed forest, and wildland forest trees (e.g., Acer, Betula, Juglans, and Fabus spp.). Currently research and development (R & D) is primarily focused on bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), a fast growing, abundant western PNW tree that can produce large volumes of nutrient rich sap that can be tapped in winter. Procurement and processing techniques are largely the same across edible sap trees. Interdisciplinary R & D projects at OSU, the addition of maple and walnut syrup to the Oregon cottage industry Farm Direct law, and heightened regional media and public attention on sugaring opportunities, are driving a high level of commercial production interest from regional farmers and agroforesters. Technological advancements and lower costs for equipment like reverse osmosis (for sap concentration), and vacuum tubing systems (for efficient sap collection), along with growing regional, national, and global demand for natural sweeteners, have made the PNW trees with edible saps an increasingly economically viable options for farmers with tree stock or new orchard space. The PNW tree sap-based natural foods sector is growing rapidly with many farmers introducing or readying products for the marketplace. Based on frequent queries to OSU, WSU, and UW researchers at public in-person and online webinar events, and through email and phone calls, extension agent training is a readily apparent need. Improving extension capacity will help deliver educational materials, provide learning opportunities, and to convey practical advice such as: basic site assessment, required equipment, Good Agricultural Practices, licensing requirements, and market opportunities for farming tree sap-based foods.
Project objectives from proposal:
The primary objective of this project is to increase the knowledge of regional extension agents and other professionals that provide education and training to agricultural landowners through field training on the procurement, processing, and marketing of edible sap-based tree products like maple syrup. Farmers need a range of informed advice to help understand variables, mitigate risk with new farm products, and generally improve their odds of success. For example, a farmer might ask:
- Do I have the right abundance of trees on the right slope?
- How does sugaring fit into my farm planning?
- Should I collect by bucket at each tree or with a vacuum tubing system?
- How do I set up different procurement systems correctly?
- What tools are needed for sugaring and how are they used safely?
- How do I manage a sugaring operation alongside an elk herd?
- How do I keep sap from spoiling in collection tanks and then transport it to a processing point?
- Should I be using propane, wood, or another fuel type for evaporation?
- How do I manage my trees for tapping alongside other farm products?
- What are the food safety considerations for the products I want to make?
- How do I clean and properly store a system between tapping seasons?
- How can we set up a sugaring collective or cooperative between farmers in my area?
- What other types of products and markets are there for sap-based products other than syrup?
A second objective is to improve the capacity of extension offices and other professional development agents (e.g., community college farm program development coordinators) to incorporate sugaring information and opportunities into their existing county events (e.g., fairs, workshops, conferences) and to create or foster sugaring specific special events like maple festivals.