Maple Syrup was the topic when the annual Ohio Maple Days were held at the Lutheran Memorial Camp Jan. 21.

Three speakers each discussed a topic related to the product gleaned from trees usually during February.

Steve Childs, a Maple Specialist from Cornell University, gave an update on recent research of the taphole sanitation conducted in 2015 in light of previous years of study, research conducted on 3/16” tubing reverse osmosis for small maple enterprises and new point of sale and promotional materials. He also relayed points on candy as a value added product.

Dan Milo, gave updates on the Food Safety Act and Ohio Department of Agriculture. He is a Food Safety Supervisor with the Ohio Department of Agriculture Division of Food Safety and is a hobby maple producer in northeast Ohio.

Dr. Gary Graham, State Maple Syrup Specialist for Ohio State University Extension and County Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Holmes County, offered sweet signs of marketing, noting that “everybody wants to make more money, but are your signs helping or hurting your marketing?” he asked.

The International Grading system was also a subject when those present, numbering 90, were asked “They are now officially in use – are you ready?”

This new grading system was made official January 29, 2015, meaning if you grade syrup you now must use the new grading laws and new grade labels starting in 2016.

Among those present were Eddie Lou Meimer, Pleiades Maple Products and Mark Eristen, Eristen Brothers, of Morrow County, both of whom are maple syrup producers. Meimer will conduct an open house from 10 am to 5 p.m. at her place of business March 5-6 and Eristen will be open extra hours, 9-4 p.m. March 5-12.

A lunch of pancakes, sausage, applesauce and coffee was served by the LMC staff to those attending the Ohio Maple Days. The maple syrup was provided by Pleiades Maple Products.

Ohio Maple Days, a three day event, is a state wide program sponsored by the Ohio Maple Program, Dr.Gary Graham and OSU Extension and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.

The second day was held Friday, Jan. 22, at the Wayne/Holmes County Mennonite Christian Assembly Church in Fredericksburg, Ohio and the third and final day took place Friday, Jan. 23, at a Trade Show held at Miller’s Window Shop in Burton, Ohio.

Carol Bartlett | The Sentinel Steve Childs Maple Specialist from Cornell University, speaks to those attending the 2016 Ohio Maple Days at the Lutheran Memorial Camp.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/02/web1_Steve-Childs-at-Maple-Syrup-Congress-meeting-2016.jpgCarol Bartlett | The Sentinel Steve Childs Maple Specialist from Cornell University, speaks to those attending the 2016 Ohio Maple Days at the Lutheran Memorial Camp.

By Evelyn Long

The Sentinel