WESTFORD, Vt.—Got sick syrup? Find out why.

The Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association will be conducting a virtual diagnostic on submitted syrup, helping sugarmakers identify bad syrup and its causes.

The online session is called “Tele-Maple Medicine: Why Does My Syrup Taste Sick” and will be held online on Friday, Dec. 11 at 12 p.m., hosted by UVM Extesion maple specialtist Mark Isselhardt and former state inspector Henry Marckres.

The session is part of the weeklong 2020 Maple Conference Week Dec. 6 through Dec. 11 hosted by the VMSMA and the experts from the University of Vermont maple program.

Sign up at https://vermontmaple.org/maple-conferences

The VMSMA has been seeking two ounce samples of off-flavor syrup and panelists will create a live show, tasting and diagnosing the issue.

“We’ll code your syrup so only you will know that the panelists are reviewing your sample during the session,” said organizer Allison Hope, executive director of the VMSMA.

Meanwhile, organizers are getting ready for a whole week of virtual seminars in December for Vermont’s Maple Conference, kicking off with an industry panel discussion and then three separate interactive online sessions each day.

“Our usual in-person welcome messages and updates will be recorded and throughout the week we’ll offer ‘anytime’ sessions on different topics that registrants can watch throughout the week,” Hope said.

Sessions will be focused on maple business management, regulations, sugarbush health, marketing and production.

“We acknowledge this format will be challenging for some in Vermont, where access to internet service can be inconsistent at best and where technology offers its challenges to each of us,” Hope said. “However, we’ll work with folks in each county to see where there are opportunities for socially distanced watch parties.”

In non-pandemic years Vermont’s annual maple conferences are generally offered in three consecutive January weekends.

“Of course this year, the pandemic has turned everything upside down and has us thinking creatively about how to offer meaningful interaction and education, even in one of the safest states in the country here in Vermont,” Hope said.

Registration and detailed session summaries can be found at www.vermontmaple.org