The Kentucky Maple Day was launched by the UK Cooperative Extension Service (primarily through the efforts of the Letcher and Harlan Co. ANR Agents), UK Department of Forestry and private producers in 2020. The purpose was to raise public awareness for the budding industry and to help market a local woodland and agricultural commodity. Producers offered tours, exhibits and sells of syrup, cotton candy, pancakes, candy and maple baked goods. UK provided marketing, coordination, and collected data.

That first year saw 15 workers, 185 customers, 303 visitors, and 2,190 gallons of sap from 1,952 taps. This year's event saw a marked increase, with 67 workers on 19 operations participating from all corners of the state. Based on polling of the producers, 1,893 visitors came to the on-farm event, 633 sells occurred, 5,782 gallons of sap dripped from 3,229 taps. This reflects a 65% increase in taps, a 164% increase in sap production, a 524% increase in visitors, and a 242% increase in sells over just three years. Maple syrup is clearly a strongly developing non-timber product in Kentucky thanks to Extension aiding our producers.