Forest Management for Maple Producers Workshop

This fall, the Franklin County NRCD hosted a series of educational workshops made specifically for maple producers. Two of these workshops were hosted in person at sugar operations owned by Franklin County sugar makers. The first in-person workshop took place in October at Gagne Maple in Swanton, VT with a focus on sugar bush management.

Participants walked along this forest road to take a look at the Gagne sugar bush.

During the workshop, participants walked along forest roads in the Gagne Maple sugarbush with guidance from maple producer Jason Gagne and Franklin County Forester Charlie Hancock. Participants were encouraged to bring copies of their own Forest Management Plans to ask any pressing questions about forest management with maple production in mind.

Jason shared his methods for sugar bush management, including selective thinning to promote crop tree growth and support forest health. As participants walked through the Gagne sugar bush, Charlie Hancock answered questions on various forest management topics, including invasive species management, forest biodiversity, and soil health.

Participants gathered to hear about the Gagne sugaring operation.

As the sun went down, Jason Gagne gave participants a tour of his sugar house, where he sells maple creemees during warmer months. Participants were excited to see Jason's creative and efficient operation, where he uses wood chips harvested from selective thinning in the Gagne sugar bush to power the evaporator.

For more information on the Franklin County NRCD's work with maple producers, visit Assistance for Maple Producers.

Additional Resources:

• Get in touch with your County Forester.

• Sign up for an AMP site visit with Franklin County NRCD.

• Vermont Acceptable Management Practices Manual