SIMPSON, Ill. — Each February, local participants brave the cold to learn more about maple syrup production at an annual workshop at Dixon Springs Ag Center. The event is a fun day for the entire family, with a 4-H fundraiser pancake breakfast to start the morning and hands-on activities for local youth.
Hobbyists or seasoned producers interested in scaling up production learned from Extension Forestry experts as they toured the 100-tap sugarbush operation and watched live demonstrations during the tenth annual event on Feb. 7.
Individuals first learned to identify trees that can be tapped for sap. Sugar maples, the species typically thought of for sap collection, have the highest amount of sugar and are abundant in southern Illinois. The sap from other varieties of maple, such as silver maple, red maple, or even box elder, also produces a similar taste.
Forestry Extension and Research Specialist Chris Evans has been a presenter for the decade-long program and looks forward to seeing new and returning participants each year.
"One of the most rewarding aspects of this program over the last 10 years has been hearing from return attendees about how they are incorporating what they've learned at the workshop into their own syrup production."
During the outdoor program, individuals were encouraged to ask questions as staff discussed equipment needs and the process of tapping a tree and collecting sap. A live demonstration of a syrup evaporator tied together the final steps of boiling and finishing maple syrup. New this year, participants could view a range of equipment, from small-scale, low-cost turkey fryers to boil syrup to commercial-grade equipment for large-scale operations.
Forest Management and Ecology Extension Specialist Kevin Rohling also demonstrated the advanced techniques the team has been exploring, including reverse osmosis, to speed up the removal of water from the sap. For Rohling, it’s about making the program available to anyone ready to jump into the process.
“I enjoy sharing information with Illinois residents about the accessibility of making maple syrup. Whether you have a couple of trees or a whole forest, everyone should be able to experience the joys of making their own syrup, from sap collection to the breakfast plate.”
To learn more about maple syrup production, contact Chris Evans or Kevin Rohling. Watch a full series of videos on maple syrup production on the Illinois Extension Forestry YouTube channel or visit their website at extension.illinois.edu/forestry.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.