Why Syrup? Supporting Local Economies in the Appalachian Bioregion

WRITTEN BY DEBORAH SOSOWER

How Future Generations University supports Regenerative Agriculture to Grow Local Social Economies in Appalachia

Just before the start of the new year, research institutions from states across the southern tier of maple production – large and venerable universities in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Ohio – met for their quarterly call. These calls are one of the ways these agroforestry and tree syrup experts stay connected. They initially met in 2018 for a first-of-its-kind research conference hosted by Future Generations University, the Southern Syrup Research Symposium, organized by Future Generations University professor, Dr. Mike Rechlin. On their December 2024 call they discussed the latest research findings and what they anticipated from the imminent maple syrup season. Dr. Abby van den Berg, Future Generations University research professor, facilitated the discussion in her role as Chair.

What comes to mind when you think of “Future Generations University?”

When many people think of ‘Future Generations University,’ their first thought might be of a unique Master’s program that brings applied, experiential learning to students around the world. They may remember the sensational projects spearheaded by the University and its faculty and personnel: coordinating the formation of Mt. Everest as a protected landmark (Qomolangma National Nature Preserve); establishing community health training centers and research in Peru and Afghanistan; launching 62 public computer centers to bring internet access to rural communities through the West Virginia Broadband Opportunities Program. 

What most people are surprised to learn is that Future Generations University is the leading institution in the world on alternative tree syrup research (walnut and sycamore), and one of the top five in the world in maple syrup research.

When that fact becomes known – that a small institution, founded less than 25 years ago, headquartered atop the second tallest mountain in West Virginia, offering education opportunities via live-online classes to an international audience – has emerged as one of the world leaders in tree syrup research, it is often met with astonishment. For University faculty, staff, and partners, it is an unanticipated but natural result of applied community development in action.

Future Generations University offers a unique approach to community change. Not only that; the University is groundbreaking in that it places equal emphasis on academic learning and research practices.

A phenomenon that occurs when communities advance using Future Generations’ approach is the concept of ‘emergence:’ an outcome that, in retrospect, can be perfectly explained – but could not be predicted. In the case of the University’s leading role in tree syrup research, it is the result of the confluence of many factors:

• Future Generations University faculty and staff whose expertise touched on agroforestry

• Institutional values of environmental and climate sustainability, and recognizing the viability of regenerative agriculture

• Understanding that the development of local social economies lead to more stable, peaceful communities that grow resources from within

• A vital interest in supporting and nurturing our invaluably biodiverse home in Appalachia

• An opportunity to serve, identified by members of our community

Tree Syrup: A Regenerative Agricultural Practice

A celebrated agroforestry practice is the creation of sweet syrup from the sap of maple trees. Farmers who live in forested, mountain environments can harvest and process sap during winter months, a time when their fields rest and markets are slow. Making maple syrup is, at its heart, a local endeavor. The knowledge is often passed down generationally in the family, with festivals and gatherings that bring together members of the local community. Future Generations University recognized the importance of tree syrup production as part of forest farming and agroforestry — all part of Regenerative Agriculture, which is in support of strengthening the Social and Bioregional Economies of Appalachia. In 2017, Future Generations University was asked to bring maple syrup experts from established research institutions to West Virginia to explore its viability as a forest farming industry in the region. The University hosted a convening in 2018. The impact of that initiative continues to this day.

Future Generations University’s fundamental willingness, and nimbleness, to “play with others,” has contributed to successful coordination and established us as a key contributor to the agroforestry community, tree syrup research, and nature-based enterprise community at large. Convening groups like the Southern Tier Tree Syrup Research Consortium, with researchers from Ohio State, The University of Kentucky, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia University, allows participants to share research and scheduled extension activities.  This coordination of research and extension efforts fosters the expansion and success of tree syrup production across central Appalachia.

Dr. van den Berg said, “FGU’s philosophy of devoting resources to the issues that will make fundamental change to the communities they serve has not only been successful and had measurable impacts for the region’s maple producers and communities, but it has resulted in Future Generations University becoming a valuable contributor to the international maple research and outreach community.”

Mike Rechlin was part of the launch of Future Generations’ maple research. On behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Dr. Rechlin organized the first convening of maple syrup experts – from Vermont, from New York, from all the bastions of major maple producing areas. Instead of bringing these experts to West Virginia to present keynote addresses to a passive audience, Future Generations used our applied model for community development to structure the symposium to include panel discussions featuring these researchers in conversation with producers and forest farmers native to West Virginia and Appalachia. Following the successful, event, Dr. Rechlin followed up with the out-of-state participants, asking them when they could return to set up research labs. 

Mike said, “I told these guys – these are friends – I said, ‘Alright guys, you gotta get down here – there’s all this research to discover! You’ve got to get back down here and get this done!’ That’s when they turned it around on us. They said, ‘No Mike, YOU’VE got to get this done. This is your backyard – there’s a lot of knowledge that needs to get extended – but it’s not our job, it’s yours.’ And from that, Future Generations University worked with private philanthropists – it wasn’t at that time possible to run these labs through the state – and agreed to be a home for the research. To help make it happen, because we saw it as a good thing for Appalachia, and Appalachian communities.”

Geography Is Key

The University’s geographic location in the heart of Appalachia’s bioregion (in the southern portion of the commercial region of maple production) is key for collaboration in regional maple production. Future Generations University is well-positioned to lead region-scale research and outreach, while also serving to facilitate programs and connect those who are asking questions to those researching answers.

Dr. Rechlin said, “Beginning in our own backyard, FGU works with central Appalachian farmers and foresters and owners to enhance their livelihood options in the tree syrups and forest farming arenas.  Our sap and syrup production assistance has helped to increase the number of sap and syrup producers in our region, and to help make their tree syrup enterprises financially viable.  Appalachian communities need viable businesses to grow and prosper.  In a largely forested region, maple and other forest farming activities can build economic activity on the sustainable use of that resource base.”