KY Maple School
The Kentucky Maple School has its roots in a regional event that took place in December. As interest from maple syrup producers increased, the event expanded alongside the establishment of the Kentucky Maple Syrup Association, transforming it into a statewide gathering with the date shifted to fall, typically in November. Annually, the School provides an opportunity for maple syrup producers to convene and explore contemporary topics in maple production. It also fosters connections among producers, encouraging the sharing of ideas and experiences. You can view the 2023 school above.
An Amazing Line-Up of Speakers...
Tim Sternitzky - The Maple Dude
My name is Tim Sternitzky, AKA The Maple Dude! Like many thousands of other kids, I grew up on a small dairy farm in Central WI. Small-scale maple syrup production was a huge part of that culture and it's where I learned the basics from my dad and grandfather. It was that introduction that sparked my interest in maple. While doing other things over the years my maple hobby slowly evolved into The Maple Dude brand and that's what I do full-time today.
I live in Marshfield, WI & have two kids, Haley and Jack.
Dr. Mike Rechlin
Mike Rechlin’s educational background is in Forestry and Natural Resource management. His engagement in maple sugaring came from his interest in sustainable forest resource management and tree physiology. He likes nothing more than encouraging people to, “get their heads into trees.”
Mike’s career has been in education, teaching courses in maple syrup production at several universities. Mike moved to West Virginia becoming the Dean of the Future Generations Graduate School, an international program in community development. He soon became involved with local syrup makers working for the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and Future Generations Appalachian program as their maple commodity specialist.
Dr. Tim Rademacher
Tim Rademacher is a plant biologist specializing in the ecophysiology of maple trees. After earning his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of Cambridge, he conducted postdoctoral research at Harvard and Northern Arizona University, furthering his expertise in plant ecophysiology. His research later shifted toward maple sugaring as an Associate Professor at the University of Quebec in Outaouais and through his work at the Centre ACER. Currently, Tim leads the Procter Maple Research Center at the University of Vermont as its Scientific Director, where he is also an Assistant Professor in Plant Biology.
His research is collaborative, working closely with various stakeholders to address key questions related to tree ecophysiology and the maple sugaring industry in a changing environment.
Kate Fotos
Kate Fotos has been working in the maple syrup industry in Appalachia since 2018. She got her start working in Appalachian Maple syrup with Future Generations University, supporting the industry through research, workshops, and producer coaching.
During her time at the university, she worked on research projects focused on alternative syrup species, predominantly black walnut and sycamore. After leaving the university in 2022, Kate has worked with individual producers across Appalachia, providing technical assistance and expertise.
Jeremy Williams
Jeremy Williams is the County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resource in Harlan County, Kentucky. With the vast amount of maples in Harlan County, Jeremy, thru his programing, began to provide information about maple syrup more than 15 years ago. In 2015, Jeremy worked with agents to host a regional maple syrup programing event in Harlan County and Letcher County, Kentucky and Wise County, Virginia. Discussions from this led to the creation of regional and state maple syrup efforts. Jeremy and his family began producing maple syrup in their backyard in 2016. From this, Jeremy created a Backyard Maple Syrup presentation.
2024 Kentucky Maple School Agenda
November 1:
Berea College Forestry Outreach Center
5pm- Backyard Sugar Making; Jeremy Williams Harlan ANR
6pm- Tapping Demo: Dr. Mike Rechlin
November 2:
Berea College Campus- Commons Room in the Woods-Penniman Building
8:45 AM: Registration/Doors Open
9:15 AM: Welcome and Keynote Address- Tim Sternitzky “The Maple Dude”- Family story and products offered.
10:30 AM: 3/16 Tubing Systems- Dr. Mike Rechlin- Research faculty at Future Generations Univ. in WV.
11:45 AM: KMSA Business meeting
12:30 PM: Lunch
1:15PM: Tapping Below the Lateral- Dr. Tim Rademacher with University of Vermont’s Proctor Maple Research Center
2:30 PM: Alternative Tree Syrups- Kate Fotos- WV
3:45 PM: Wrap-up, Q&A and Adjourn
View Past Maple Schools Below...
Each year KMSA hosts a KY Maple School. If you are interested in watching one of the previous maple schools, please register for each by clicking on the links.