Many Southern Tier forests are populated with sugar maples. Harvesting the maple sap, boiling it and packaging it as a sweet syrup is a common rural tradition. Maple syrup is produced in a relatively small portion of the world, with the greatest populations centered in the Southern Finger Lakes. It is a food, a flavoring, and a base for other maple products. Income potential includes sales of sap, sale of syrup, and lease of trees for sap collection. A large investment in time and equipment is necessary for beginners who want to produce on a large scale. Tap sugar maples larger than 9 inches and manage surrounding trees to favor a strong maple crown. Potential problems include transporting the sap, energy to boil, and sanitary packaging.

Example: Helping increase the volume of a local maple producer.

Maple Production assistance is available! Go to Cornell's Sugar Maple and Research and Extension Program.