Maple Producers Invited to Strategic Planning Meeting

Maple producers in Potter and Tioga Counties are invited to participate in a conversation about the future of maple producing in those counties at the Maple Producers Summit, planned for Monday, September 12 from 6-9pm at Tutors Restaurant in Galeton.

The goal of the Summit is to address the opportunity for the local maple industry to become an economic driver and enhance its success to equal that of competitors in Vermont. At the end of the Summit, sponsors hope to have established goals for Maple Producers as a whole, developed strategies to help the Potter-Tioga Maple Producers Association grow and meet the needs of its members, and developed marketing strategies to promote producers and the industry.

Nationally known expert on heritage and agricultural based tourism, Cheryl Hargrove, will help facilitate the discussion. Hargrove is the former Director of Heritage Tourism for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Hargrove recently completed the coordination of collections and stories for the Civil War Home Front map/guide, developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission and inserted into American Heritage magazine.

The Maple Producers Summit is sponsored in partnership with the Potter-Tioga Maple Producers, PA Lumber Region, the Potter County Visitors Association and the Tioga County Visitors Bureau. Funding for the strategic plan is being provided by the PA Route 6 Alliance through a heritage area grant from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The meeting is open to all interested or involved in sugarmaking. A light dinner will be provided. There is no charge to attend, but all individuals planning to attend should pre-register by September 6. A brief questionnaire needs to be filled out. Registration packets are available on-line at www.pamaple.com or by calling the Lumber Heritage Area at 814-486-0213 or the PA Route 6 Alliance at 814-435-7706.