Research &
Development

Oregon Tree Tappers is a public website for recruiting participants and disseminating information pertaining to the following projects. Oregon Tree Tappers is a project of Oregon State University College of Forestry and Forest Ecosystems and Society Dept. in collaboration with community partners throughout Western Oregon. Project 1, 2, and 4 are funded through the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Acer Access and Development Program. Project 3 is funded through Western SARE.

PROJECT 1: 2020-2023: BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE BIGLEAF MAPLE SAP INDUSTRY IN OREGON THROUGH LANDOWNER AWARENESS, NETWORKING, MAPPING, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING

This producer and landowner education project focuses on active and potential producers of bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) sap in western Oregon. The project will provide information, training, resources, and networking opportunities to expand awareness of bigleaf maple sap economic opportunities in Oregon and organize and train a landowner network as the foundation for an economically viable and significant food industry.

PROJECT 2: 2023-2026: CONSUMER AWARENESS AND EDUCATION OF BIGLEAF MAPLE SAP-BASED FOODS: SENSORY AND NUTRITIONAL QUALITIES, CULINARY USES, AND PRODUCT SAFETY

This market development and promotion project focuses on research to build consumer awareness and confidence for bigleaf sap-based foods through research and education on sensory and nutritional qualities, increasing culinary awareness and use, and best practices for creating food safe products for markets and consumer confidence. 

PROJECT 3: 2024-2026: TRAINING OREGON EXTENSION AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS TO ASSIST EMERGING COMMERCIAL PRODUCERS OF BIGLEAF MAPLE SYRUP AND OTHER SAP-BASED FOODS

This project trains extension agents and other professionals through a two-day intensive field workshop on procurement and processing techniques for maple syrup production in Oregon.

PROJECT 4: 2024-2027: INCREASING REGIONAL MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCTION IN OREGON THROUGH LANDOWNER, COMMUNITY, AND TRIBAL PARTNERSHIPS, IMPROVED PROGRAM CAPACITY, AND EXPANDED GEOGRAPHIC REACH

This producer and landowner education project focuses on improving OSU program capacity to assist existing and future producers with making informed decisions on how to scale up production to more advanced procurement and processing systems. This project extends outreach to underserved populations in both established and emerging regions, including tribal natural resource programs and Hispanic communities and organizations. In collaboration with a newly established statewide maple syrup producer's association, OSU endeavors to empower producers to take a leading role in shaping their industry's trajectory. By actively engaging with organizations such as the North American Maple Syrup Council, the International Maple Syrup Institute, and the Oregon Farm Bureau, OSU can help producers access resources and networks essential for their success.

Project Team

Current Team Members

• Eric T. Jones (Project Director/Principal Investigator). Asst. Professor of Practice, OSU COF Forest Ecosystems and Society

• Lisa Price (co-P.I.) Professor ethnobiology, OSU Anthropology

• Ann Colonna (co-P.I.) Director, OSU Food Innovation Center Sensory Program

• Joy Waite-Cusic (co-P.I.) Food Safety Lead, OSU Food Science

• Ron Reuter (co-P.I.) Professor of soil science, OSU Forest Ecosystems and Society

• Barb Lachenbruch (Ecophysiology), OSU Forest Ecosystems and Society (emeritus)

• Peter Matzka, OSU Extension, Forest Management

• Eliza Nelson (Teacher, Maple Syrup Practitioner), Oregon Maple Project (contractor)

• Chrisopher Still, (Climate/Landscape Ecology), Oregon State University, Dept. of Forest Ecosystems and Society

• Brian Kearney, (Molecular Genetics), Oregon State University, Dept. of Forest Ecosystems and Society

• Tom Nygren (Forest Manager). White Oak Natural Resource Service (contractor)

• Andrea Domen 2023-Present, Ph.D. Student

• Ellen Jackson, Chef Consultant

• Janicé Myers, Chef Consultant

• Amadee Smith Chef Consultant

Former Team Members

• Taylor Larson (Agroforester, year 1 Project Field Manager) / My Brothers' Farm (contractor)

• Badege Bishaw (co-P.I.). Director, Agroforestry Working Group. OSU College of Forestry (retired)

• Owen Rice (CEO). Mycological Natural Products (contractor)

• Ryan Brey, Field Associate. Pacific Elemental LLC

• Susan Alexander, (Economist). Neverstill Farms, USFS (retired)

• Rebecca McClain (Geographer). RJMcLain LLC, Portland State University

• Melanie Douville 2022-2023, Graduate Research Assistant

• John (Trey) Scheb 2022-2023, Graduate Research Assistant

Advisors

• Will McClatchey (Ethnobiologist/Pharmacologist). Woodland Valley Meadows Farm

• Kelly Streit, OSU Extension Family and Community Health, Food and Nutrition Instructor (retired)

• Patrick Shults, Extension Forester and Co-P.I. for Washington State University Bigleaf Maple Research Program

• Kent Wheiler, Professor and P.I. for University of Washington Bigleaf Maple Research Program (retired)

OSU Engineering Capstone Students 2020-2021

• Haris Maqsood

• Kylie Havemann

• Omar Alasari

• Chen Yujun

OSU Engineering Capstone Students 2021-2022

• Aurora Prochot

• Jackson Guettler

• Elizabeth Clark

• Chika Ronny

Volunteers, Land Owner Partners, and Other

The project wishes to thank the many volunteers, landowner partners, agency experts and others that are providing direct assistance to this project.

Project Home, Funder, and Partners