Maple sap tubing workshop to be held in Newberry
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EmailOn November 11, 2025, Michigan Food and Farming Systems, Heroes to Hives, MSU Extension and the Michigan AgrAbility project will collaborate to offer a maple syrup sap collection tubing installation workshop.
On November 11, 2025, Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS), Heroes to Hives (H2H), MSU Extension and the Michigan AgrAbility project will collaborate to offer a maple syrup sap collection tubing installation workshop.
Maple sugaring is more than just turning sap into syrup; it’s a Michigan tradition that connects communities to the land each spring. From the first tap in a sugarbush to the final pour of syrup over a fresh waffle, the process is both rewarding and physically demanding. For many farmers, veterans and small producers, those physical demands can create barriers to participating in or expanding their maple operations. This workshop is designed to open the sugar bush to more people by blending time-honored practices with modern accessibility solutions.
Join Adam Ingrao, of MIFFS and H2H co-founder and director, Jesse Randall, MSU AgBio Research and Ned Stoller, agricultural engineer and assistive technology professional with Michigan AgrAbility to learn how to set up a maple sugar bush and also how to make it more accessible for anyone with physical limitations.
A well-managed sugar bush can produce sap for generations, and Michigan is home to thousands of small-scale and family maple producers who keep this tradition alive. While tapping, hauling and boiling can be physically demanding, this workshop will highlight ways to reduce the strain. Participants will see how simple assistive technology solutions and intentional design can make maple sugaring easier on the body while increasing production.
The workshop will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, and snacks will be provided for attendees. This workshop is free to attend but attendees must register for the event.
Space is limited, register today. Register through MIFFS at https://forms.gle/c4ZrTx9EXEGWJhsH8
This project is supported by the AgrAbility Competitive Program of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), grant number 2022-41590-38121.
