The International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI) has adopted a new framework for committee activities and reporting. The committees are intended to cover the overall scope of business and activities IMSI is involved in from year to year. The five committees are: Maple Grades and Nomenclature, Maple Products and Processing Review, Public Affairs, Maple Certification and Quality Assurance, and Membership.

In 2009 IMSI adopted a position on the use of Air Injection Technology in the Maple Syrup Industry. This position is that air injection technology can be utilized in the production of pure maple syrup provided that the system is properly installed and operated.  IMSI hopes to develop operational guidelines for air injection in cooperation with IMSI members and industry stakeholders.

IMSI’s Maple Grades and Nomenclature Committee is finalizing a proposal for standardized grades and nomenclature for the maple syrup industry. 

Maple syrup producers, maple equipment vendors, maple packers and others are encouraged to attend upcoming meetings of the North American Maple Syrup Council (NAMSC) and the International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI). This Annual meeting forum includes business meetings, demonstrations, technical presentations and commercial/technical exhibits. The Annual Conference provides a great opportunity to learn about the latest developments and research findings in the maple syrup industry and to network with maple producers, maple equipment vendors, maple extension specialists and others.

The 2009 Annual NAMSC-IMSI Conference is sponsored by the Maine Maple Producers Association and will be held in Bar Harbor, Maine from October 22-25, 2009. The meetings will be held at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel and Conference Centre in Bar Harbor (Telephone: 207-288-5801 or website: www.barharbor.com).

In addition to the regular annual conference, there will be a tour-after-the-conference into northern Maine to visit commercial maple operations.  Further information and a registration package can be obtained from Eric Ellis (mainemaple@beeline-online.net), Bob Smith (bob@beeline-online.net), or Dave Chapeskie (agrofor@ripnet.com).

The 2010 Annual NAMSC-IMSI Conference is sponsored by the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association and will be held at the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford, Ontario from October 20-23, 2010. The theme of this Conference will be “Sugaring 2010: Progress and Potential”.  For further information, contact Bill Robinson (robinmap@hurontel.on.ca) or Dave Chapeskie (agrofor@ripnet.com).

In 2009, IMSI is sponsoring an Annual Maple Grading School in partnership with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Vermont’s Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The School will be located at the Somerset County Extension Office in Skowhegan, Maine and will be run on December 3rd – 4th, 2009. This school has been successfully operated for five years. It is designed to help maple syrup producers better understand the grading of pure maple syrup and learn how to make high quality maple products.  For further information and a copy of the registration form, contact Kathryn Hopkins (khopkins@umext.maine.edu) or Dave Chapeskie (agrofor@ripnet.com).