The UVM Extension Maple Modules project adapted recent research findings and business best practices into a variety of educational materials for current and prospective maple owners. In person workshops, online planning tools and industry publications were used to inform and train maple producers and related industry professionals. This project created five online business planning tools that included a multi-year production yield average, production forecast, pricing and gross sales forecast, cost budget and self-guided business plan. The tools are available at vtmaplebiz.org. This project developed a "One Hour Business Plan" workshop complemented by the one page maple business planning worksheet. A maple marketing workshop was also developed. These sessions were delivered at maple conferences in Vermont, New York, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
Two industry publication articles and three three blog posts were written to provide foundational education on the evolving maple market situation, potential market policies and business practices. The project resulted in 23 workshops delivered in four northeast states reaching 548 participants. Online business modules were accessed over the last five months of the project and reached 170 maple producers. Participants at in-person workshops completed 165 "One Hour Business Plans" and 170 online business analyses were completed.