FFA Students Help At Maple Conference

Provided Photo

After a 25-year absence from the Catskill region, maple producers from across New York state, the Northeast, and Canada gathered at SUNY Cobleskill for the 2026 New York State January Maple Conference.

The day-and-a-half event brought together more than 400 maple producers, educators, students, and industry partners for an engaging program centered on education, innovation, and community.

Mount Markham FFA students and staff played a big part in the weekend.

Held each January, the conference traditionally signals the start of the maple production season.

A highlight of the conference was a robust educational program featuring 30 maple-focused workshops presented by leading experts from across the maple industry.

The conference also featured New York’s largest maple trade show, with 50 tables, booths, and displays representing 37 manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and support organizations.

Youth engagement was another standout aspect of the conference.

More than 50 FFA students from nine schools attended, participated in workshops, and assisted with trade show setup and teardown.

Members of the Mount Markham FFA chapter, led by advisor Eric Bugbee, played a key role in supporting vendors ...