St. Lawrence County Maple Expo set for Jan. 29 in Potsdam

POTSDAM -- Maple syrup-makers, forest owners and the public are invited to the St. Lawrence County Maple Expo Saturday, Jan. 29 at Potsdam High School.

The event is designed for both beginner and experienced syrup-makers, as well as forest owners.

This year's class topics will include Tubing Research Updates, Managing Maple Flavors, Tap Hole and Tubing Sanitation for Productivity, Sugarbush Management by the Numbers, Genetic “Sweet Trees,” Liability Insurance Updates, Sugarhouse Security Issues, Sugarbush Low Impact Timber and Firewood Harvesting, Leasing Taps, Buying and Selling Sap, and panel discussions with experienced maple producers.

Presenters will include Cornell Maple Program Director Peter Smallidge, with specialists Mike Farrell and Steve Childs; St. Lawrence County Under-Sheriff Scott Bonno; William Tulley of Farm Family Insurance; a producer panel, and others.

The expo opens at 8 a.m. and the approximately hour-long classes run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a choice of two in the morning and two in the afternoon. The mid-day period will provide time for the trade show with maple equipment dealers and other exhibitors as well as a pancake-style lunch.

Full-day admission is $15 and includes classes, trade show and lunch, Additional all-day attendees from the same maple operation, farm, or family need only buy lunch for about $7. Those not attending classes visit the Expo for free to meet maple producers, see trade show exhibits.

Proceeds benefit the Potsdam High School Future Farmers of America program.

Participants are encouraged to pre-register by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County 379-9192 by Friday, Jan. 28, although walk-ins are welcome.