Iron County maple syrup forum planned

HURLEY — Despite having some of the highest concentration of sugar maple forests in the country, northern Wisconsin and the western Upper Peninsula lack a strong commercial maple syrup industry. A forum in Iron County planned for later this fall will look at whether there is interest in changing that.

“The intent is to gauge interest in the community (for) developing commercial enterprises here based around maple syrup and its products,” said Darrin Kimbler, one of the University of Wisconsin-Extension educators organizing the forum. “This is geared for people who are looking to do it commercially, not just to do it in their backyards.”

The commercial maple syrup forum is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 20 at Whitecap Mountains Ski Resort in Upson, Wis. There is a small registration fee to attend, which will include lunch.

Those participating in the event will have the chance to interact with a panel of professionals in commercial syrup production, value added syrup products and cooperative business development.

There will also be an opportunity to network and meet with other residents interested in developing commercial opportunities locally. Vendors that support the industry will also be on hand to demonstrate their products and services.

Kimbler said the event will include a call to action, leaving people with some possible steps forward to develop commercial production and events around Wisconsin those interested in starting their own businesses can also attend.

Along with Kimbler and Amy Nosal — the other UW-Extension educator organizing the forum — the event is being put on in partnership with the Iron County Economic Development Zone.

To register and for more information, visit the extension’s website iron.uwex.edu or call 715-561-2695.

—Richard Jenkins