The Maple Syrup Industry continues to grow in the Commonwealth, with several Kentucky producers taking a serious look at what it offers to their farm income and off-season cash-flow. Like most agricultural enterprises, critical investments pay dividends down the road. To that end, two producers who have been on the forefront of the industry and have benefitted from Extension maple programming in Letcher County, have opted to increase the efficiency of their operations by utilizing Reverse Osmosis equipment. One producer made the investment on his own and is expanding his operation towards a goal of 1000 taps. The other is utilizing shared-use equipment made available by the Letcher County Extension District Board, with a goal of 500 taps. Both operators will have to more than triple their current operations to hit their goals. The investments show that these producers consider this to be a money-making endeavor.

One of the producers has a daughter that is investigating value-added options for maple. She is using her skills as a baker to create maple pastries, candies, cookies and numerous other maple-centered baked goods. She did exceptionally well during the Christmas season by selling pre-packaged arrangements of her products. Her efforts have paid off handsomely for the family and serve as one of her primary sources of income.