The president of the Kentucky Maple Syrup Association sees the natural sweet substance as one way to further economic diversification in Appalachia. This year’s Kentucky Maple School is being held Saturday and will be a virtual event.
KMSA President Seth Long says there are about 42 million maple trees across Kentucky ready to tap. He noted often the term economic development produces an image of new construction or facilities. Long said, for those with the right equipment, training, and labor effort, these trees represent an “untapped resource.” “We really think that maple syrup production, while it’s not a silver bullet, we don’t believe there are any. It’s one of those pieces that can make a difference in where do we go from here economically, post coal economy type of thing,” said Long.
Long noted there are about two dozen producers in the group. Long said the maple syrup production season runs along with the freeze-thaw period in January and February. He noted maple trees have a long history of producing syrup and sugar. Long added the two inch holes bored in trees don’t cause damage and heal-over year to year. If interested in the virtual Kentucky Maple School, go to http://ky-maplesyrup.ca.uky.edu/
Here's an extended interview with Kentucky Maple Association President Seth Long:
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