Maple Sugaring and Production

A close up of a maple syrup tap in a maple tree

Maple Sugaring and Production

Many Indigenous communities in the Great Lakes region have long traditions of tapping maple trees and boiling the sap to produce maple syrup and sugar. The Maple Sugaring Team is working to support Tribal maple syrup and sugar producers.

Tribal Partners

Wisconsin Tribal Maple Sugaring Network

We are facilitating a Tribal Maple Sugaring Network hosted by the Division of Extension to enable sharing learning and storytelling, sharing technical expertise and experience with different equipment and methods, and capacity building among Tribal producers in the Great Lakes region.

In partnership with the Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory Council, the Maple Sugaring Team is hosting in-person, virtual, and video learning opportunities for Tribal producers. These efforts have the goal of increasing Tribal production of maple syrup and sugar for cultural and economic benefits.

We have hosted 8 trainings and webinars since 2023, including:

  • Pre-Season Virtual Check-ins for Tribal producers
  • Mid-Season Virtual Check-ins for Tribal producers
  • Maple sap tubing workshops
  • Chainsaw safety training
A maple syrup tap in a maple tree with a metal bucket hanging below it
Bucket collecting maple sap. Photo by Dan Cornelius
Participants in the SAWW Level 1&2 Chainsaw Safety Training hosted by the Menominee Department of Agriculture and Food Systems in September, 2025. Photo by Hannah Arbuckle.
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