Maple Syrup Expert Available for Season Outlook
Contact: Kathy Hopkins, (207) 474-9622
SKOWHEGAN — As temperatures warm and winter transitions into spring, the sap will be running in sugar maples soon and harvesters will begin the annual and welcome ritual preparing for another good syrup season.
Kathy Hopkins, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension educator and maple syrup expert, is available to discuss how the upcoming season may be shaping up for one of the state’s iconic industries.
Warm days and cold nights are what harvesters are hoping for in the next six weeks, and weather forecasts are calling for suitable conditions.
Hopkins, who has been in touch with many of the state’s maple syrup makers, is available at Extension’s Somerset County office in Skowhegan to discuss expectations and what determines a successful season. She can be reached at (207) 474-9622 or by email at khopkins@maine.edu.
Three Cooperative Extension instructional maple-sugaring videos are available on YouTube:
What do I need to tap maple trees? (http://www.youtube.com/theuniversityofmaine#p/u/4/RFzkp5-uW4k)
When and how to tap maple trees? (http://www.youtube.com/theuniversityofmaine#p/u/9/B_55a0hL–A)
How do I test the quality of my homemade maple syrup? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkJBB_Z_jRw)