By Tom Hammett

The Southern Syrup Research Symposium held in Summersville, West Virginia, Sept. 28-29, 2018, brought together nearly 100 researchers, extension personnel, equipment vendors, and landowners from all of the Middle Atlantic and Northeastern states. The goal was to share findings, identify knowledge gaps, and prioritize research and extension needs, with a strong focus on the Central Appalachians.

Professor Tom Hammet presented a talk, “Southern possibility: Adding value to Virginia tree syrup production,” with Matt Cabral, a tree sap producer from Virginia Beach. They examined opportunities for expanding species utilization, production, and markets for southern tree sap products. Hammett also covered opportunities for tapping additional species, improvements needed for sap utilization and production, the potential for expanding markets for southern tree syrup products, the need to increase awareness by consumers for maple and other syrups, and strategies for increasing landowners’ awareness of the potential production and income opportunities.

As a member of the organizing committee, Hammett helped recruit speakers, design sessions, garner support, and organize and conduct the poster session. He is currently working on collating the needs and other information collected into a summary of the symposium, and authoring an article on the research needs identified.