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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260417
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UID:30968-1776384000-1776556799@www.thehomesteadeducation.com
SUMMARY:Christian Family Home Educators Homeschool Conference
DESCRIPTION:Episode Highlights				\n				\n									Sugaring isn’t just for the Northeast anymore. And the truth is — there are opportunities for food\, resources\, and self-sufficiency sitting right in our own backyards… if we’re willing to look a little closer. In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast\, Kody Hanner sits down with David Knudson of Montana Maple Works to talk about the surprising world of tapping trees for syrup in the Western U.S. — and what it really takes to turn sap into something usable\, valuable\, and even profitable. From tapping city trees to navigating regulations\, building a business from scratch\, and teaching others along the way — David shares how curiosity turned into a full-blown maple syrup operation\, and what that means for homesteaders and families looking to learn new skills. From understanding tree types and sap flow to the reality of how much work goes into a single gallon of syrup — this episode breaks down both the science and the practicality behind it all. This isn’t just about maple syrup.It’s about recognizing the resources around you — and learning how to use them. If you care about: Learning practical\, real-life homesteading skillsAlternative ways to source sugar and natural resourcesSmall-scale production and turning skills into incomeUnderstanding trees\, seasons\, and natural systemsBuilding resilience and self-sufficiency at homeThis episode will open your eyes to what’s possible — even in places you might not expect. In This Episode\, We Cover:How maple syrup production works — from sap to finished productWhy the West hasn’t traditionally tapped trees (and why that’s changing)What types of trees can be tapped beyond sugar maplesThe realities of sap-to-syrup ratios and production timeHow David built a business from a simple ideaThe challenges of regulations and accessing treesWhy learning skills like this matters for long-term self-sufficiency								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Podcast Links and Resources				\n				\n									If you enjoyed this conversation\, be sure to connect with David and learn more about tapping trees and syrup production. 🌐 Visit: Montana Maple Works 								\n				\n					Kody's Links				\n				\n									Homestead Education Curriculum:https://thehomesteadeducation.com Shop Books & Resources:https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shop Join the Email List for Resources & Updates:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribe Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducation YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation 								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Read The Transcript!				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					 ShowHide Full Transcript \n							\n			\n			\n		\n\n						\n				\n		\n					\n				\n									IntroductionHi everyone and welcome back to the Homestead Education Podcast. Today I have David Knudsen from Montana Maple Works with me and I am so excited to talk about all things maple syrup. So\, hi David\, how are you today? Doing great. Thanks for asking. So tell us a little bit about you and what you do. Getting Started with Maple SyrupSo I live in Missoula\, Missoula is known as the Garden City. City planners started planting Norway maples back when the city was originally founded. So our tree canopy in Missoula is predominantly maples\, Norway maple to be specific\, which is native to Eastern Europe. There are other maples planted around. The Norways are kind of invasive and so they’ve gotten into all the waterways and irrigation ditches. So it was about 11\, 12 years ago now that I was raking the leaves in front of my house and it was like a spring day\, well late winter\, early spring day. And I was just pondering my thoughts and thinking\, okay\, I know these are maple trees. What kind of maple trees are these? Can we make maple syrup? How do you make maple syrup? Can we make maple syrup here? So after a little research\, I discovered what kind of trees they were. I have one Norway and two Silvers planted in front of my house. And Silver Maples are commonly tapped for syrup. Norways\, not so much\, especially in their native environment\, which I find kind of surprising. So I ordered some equipment\, a simple tapping kit\, 10 spiles with some drop lines attached. I did a bit more research and realized that at that time there were a few more days of weather conducive to a sap flow. You’re looking for days that are above freezing\, ideally in the 40s with sunshine\, and then falling back below freezing\, ideally around 25 or so so that you get enough cold to draw the sap up into the canopy that can then flow the next day. So I put it together\, okay\, I could tap in\, but I’m probably not going to get a lot of sap for that many days. So I held off until the next year. I got a few more trees. The first year I tapped about five trees. Very shortly after I tapped in\, it was about a week to 10 days\, I came out to collect my sap in the afternoon one day and I saw all my equipment was gone. All the taps had been taken out of the tree. So I thought about it for a second. This doesn’t seem like vandalism. Then I realized these are most likely city trees. So I put it together that it was probably the city making a statement. So I followed up and called the forestry department\, not implicating myself\, and asked what they would do in this case. They said they would come in\, take the equipment off\, and try to inform the homeowner that this isn’t allowed. I was waiting for my second child at that time\, so I was definitely home and I never got the in-person contact. In Missoula\, homeowners are responsible for the trees that are in front of their house\, even if they’re not on the property per se. So my brain was like\, okay\, I’m paying to water these trees\, I’m paying to keep the clearance over the street and sidewalk\, I should be able to tap these trees. I didn’t know a tremendous amount other than the research I had done\, but I figured that if people have been making maple syrup for as long as they have\, it doesn’t kill the trees. I mean\, sustainable maple syrup tapping doesn’t damage trees. No. In fact\, there’s a study that was done in Michigan that showed there is possibly the opposite effect. So I was frustrated and I didn’t want to go through channels or go to city council. I made a meeting with my mayor and went directly to the top. He couldn’t have cared less. He didn’t think it was that cool. So I was like\, alright\, this isn’t going to deter me. I just have to find other trees that aren’t street trees. Growing Into a BusinessThe next year I got together about a group of 30 trees. There were some maples in front of my children’s school\, so I started teaching classes that next year\, just sharing the experience. Then 30 trees became 60 trees. In 2018\, I made a goal to try to tap as many trees as I could. Being self-employed and a property manager\, I was able to make the time. Every day after I dropped my kids off at school\, I walked around the neighborhood and connected with homeowners to get access to more trees. By late winter in 2019\, I had 250 trees to tap. I realized I needed the proper evaporating capacity. I put systems in place to efficiently reduce the sap into syrup. I had a great season. I made about 45 gallons that year. I realized I had created a small business without really intending to. Like when you have one business\, then you end up with another. You just go down that slippery slope. Yes\, very true. So I contacted the sanitarian and went through the proper avenues of getting licensed to sell my syrup. That’s when I created Montana Maple Works. The next year I tapped the same amount of trees. Then we had a terrible windstorm and a tree fell in my yard. Through that process\, I learned that property lines in Missoula are not cut and dry. The arborist department determined the tree was more on my property\, so I was responsible. At the same time\, the head forester approached me and said I would be receiving a cease and desist letter for tapping trees on public right-of-way. So I had to shift gears and ensure all the trees I tapped were on private property. I lost a significant number of trees. The next year I was approached by Utah State University. They received a USDA grant to study the feasibility of maple syrup production in the Intermountain West. I became involved as a local expert. Now I’ve tapped up to 400 trees\, taught classes across multiple states\, and shared my expertise. How Tree Tapping WorksSo tell us a little bit about what kind of trees you can tap. Any tree in the Acer family\, any maple tree\, will give you sweet sap. Every tree has a different personality with different sugar levels and flavor profiles. You can also tap black walnut\, birch\, sycamore\, hickory\, and others\, though each has different processes and challenges. So how do you tap a tree? It’s really simple. You need a drill\, a clean drill bit\, and a tap. You drill about one and a half to two inches into the tree and set the tap with a hammer. You can collect sap using buckets\, bags\, or tubing systems. Some trees can produce four to five gallons of sap in a day under ideal conditions. From Sap to SyrupSo how does that translate into syrup? The rough average is 40 to 1. You need about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. That varies depending on sugar content. Yard trees with open canopies often have higher sugar content than forest trees. Some trees may require 60 to 1 or even 80 to 1 ratios. So how do you boil it down? You simply boil the sap until it reaches about 66–67% sugar concentration. This can be done with basic equipment\, but larger surface areas make the process more efficient. Sap is perishable\, so it needs to be processed quickly to maintain quality. Why This MattersWe’ve talked a lot about homesteading and learning skills. Even if you’re not tapping trees every year\, it’s valuable knowledge. Sugar is something we can’t always easily produce ourselves\, but tapping trees provides an alternative. A lot of people don’t realize these resources are available in their own backyards. It gives you a unique taste of where you are. Like terroir in wine\, the flavor reflects the environment\, the tree\, and the conditions. It’s just another resource that’s available almost anywhere. ClosingWell\, I really appreciate you coming on today and sharing your knowledge because I think this is something that opens people’s eyes. Do you have a website you want to share? Montana mapleworks.com If you want to learn more\, that’s where you can go. Feel free to reach out if you have questions. I love connecting with people and sharing this knowledge. Wonderful\, thank you. Absolutely\, good talking to you. 								\n					\n				\n				\n					\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Watch the Episode				\n				\n							\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					You might also enjoy...				\n				\n				\n							\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Throwing in the Towel on Your Homestead			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				How To Do It All On Your Homestead			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Start Growing With A Homestead Education			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 119: Are you sustainably prepared?			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 133: What is the difference between aggies and homesteaders?
URL:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events/christian-family-home-educators-homeschool-conference/
LOCATION:Valley Assembly of God Church\, ​15618 E Broadway Ave.\, Spokane Valley\, WA
CATEGORIES:Speaker or Workshop,Vendor
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260514
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260517
DTSTAMP:20260404T165638
CREATED:20260127T213442Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T213442Z
UID:30971-1778716800-1778975999@www.thehomesteadeducation.com
SUMMARY:Teach Them Diligently
DESCRIPTION:Episode Highlights				\n				\n									Sugaring isn’t just for the Northeast anymore. And the truth is — there are opportunities for food\, resources\, and self-sufficiency sitting right in our own backyards… if we’re willing to look a little closer. In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast\, Kody Hanner sits down with David Knudson of Montana Maple Works to talk about the surprising world of tapping trees for syrup in the Western U.S. — and what it really takes to turn sap into something usable\, valuable\, and even profitable. From tapping city trees to navigating regulations\, building a business from scratch\, and teaching others along the way — David shares how curiosity turned into a full-blown maple syrup operation\, and what that means for homesteaders and families looking to learn new skills. From understanding tree types and sap flow to the reality of how much work goes into a single gallon of syrup — this episode breaks down both the science and the practicality behind it all. This isn’t just about maple syrup.It’s about recognizing the resources around you — and learning how to use them. If you care about: Learning practical\, real-life homesteading skillsAlternative ways to source sugar and natural resourcesSmall-scale production and turning skills into incomeUnderstanding trees\, seasons\, and natural systemsBuilding resilience and self-sufficiency at homeThis episode will open your eyes to what’s possible — even in places you might not expect. In This Episode\, We Cover:How maple syrup production works — from sap to finished productWhy the West hasn’t traditionally tapped trees (and why that’s changing)What types of trees can be tapped beyond sugar maplesThe realities of sap-to-syrup ratios and production timeHow David built a business from a simple ideaThe challenges of regulations and accessing treesWhy learning skills like this matters for long-term self-sufficiency								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Podcast Links and Resources				\n				\n									If you enjoyed this conversation\, be sure to connect with David and learn more about tapping trees and syrup production. 🌐 Visit: Montana Maple Works 								\n				\n					Kody's Links				\n				\n									Homestead Education Curriculum:https://thehomesteadeducation.com Shop Books & Resources:https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shop Join the Email List for Resources & Updates:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribe Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducation YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation 								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Read The Transcript!				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					 ShowHide Full Transcript \n							\n			\n			\n		\n\n						\n				\n		\n					\n				\n									IntroductionHi everyone and welcome back to the Homestead Education Podcast. Today I have David Knudsen from Montana Maple Works with me and I am so excited to talk about all things maple syrup. So\, hi David\, how are you today? Doing great. Thanks for asking. So tell us a little bit about you and what you do. Getting Started with Maple SyrupSo I live in Missoula\, Missoula is known as the Garden City. City planners started planting Norway maples back when the city was originally founded. So our tree canopy in Missoula is predominantly maples\, Norway maple to be specific\, which is native to Eastern Europe. There are other maples planted around. The Norways are kind of invasive and so they’ve gotten into all the waterways and irrigation ditches. So it was about 11\, 12 years ago now that I was raking the leaves in front of my house and it was like a spring day\, well late winter\, early spring day. And I was just pondering my thoughts and thinking\, okay\, I know these are maple trees. What kind of maple trees are these? Can we make maple syrup? How do you make maple syrup? Can we make maple syrup here? So after a little research\, I discovered what kind of trees they were. I have one Norway and two Silvers planted in front of my house. And Silver Maples are commonly tapped for syrup. Norways\, not so much\, especially in their native environment\, which I find kind of surprising. So I ordered some equipment\, a simple tapping kit\, 10 spiles with some drop lines attached. I did a bit more research and realized that at that time there were a few more days of weather conducive to a sap flow. You’re looking for days that are above freezing\, ideally in the 40s with sunshine\, and then falling back below freezing\, ideally around 25 or so so that you get enough cold to draw the sap up into the canopy that can then flow the next day. So I put it together\, okay\, I could tap in\, but I’m probably not going to get a lot of sap for that many days. So I held off until the next year. I got a few more trees. The first year I tapped about five trees. Very shortly after I tapped in\, it was about a week to 10 days\, I came out to collect my sap in the afternoon one day and I saw all my equipment was gone. All the taps had been taken out of the tree. So I thought about it for a second. This doesn’t seem like vandalism. Then I realized these are most likely city trees. So I put it together that it was probably the city making a statement. So I followed up and called the forestry department\, not implicating myself\, and asked what they would do in this case. They said they would come in\, take the equipment off\, and try to inform the homeowner that this isn’t allowed. I was waiting for my second child at that time\, so I was definitely home and I never got the in-person contact. In Missoula\, homeowners are responsible for the trees that are in front of their house\, even if they’re not on the property per se. So my brain was like\, okay\, I’m paying to water these trees\, I’m paying to keep the clearance over the street and sidewalk\, I should be able to tap these trees. I didn’t know a tremendous amount other than the research I had done\, but I figured that if people have been making maple syrup for as long as they have\, it doesn’t kill the trees. I mean\, sustainable maple syrup tapping doesn’t damage trees. No. In fact\, there’s a study that was done in Michigan that showed there is possibly the opposite effect. So I was frustrated and I didn’t want to go through channels or go to city council. I made a meeting with my mayor and went directly to the top. He couldn’t have cared less. He didn’t think it was that cool. So I was like\, alright\, this isn’t going to deter me. I just have to find other trees that aren’t street trees. Growing Into a BusinessThe next year I got together about a group of 30 trees. There were some maples in front of my children’s school\, so I started teaching classes that next year\, just sharing the experience. Then 30 trees became 60 trees. In 2018\, I made a goal to try to tap as many trees as I could. Being self-employed and a property manager\, I was able to make the time. Every day after I dropped my kids off at school\, I walked around the neighborhood and connected with homeowners to get access to more trees. By late winter in 2019\, I had 250 trees to tap. I realized I needed the proper evaporating capacity. I put systems in place to efficiently reduce the sap into syrup. I had a great season. I made about 45 gallons that year. I realized I had created a small business without really intending to. Like when you have one business\, then you end up with another. You just go down that slippery slope. Yes\, very true. So I contacted the sanitarian and went through the proper avenues of getting licensed to sell my syrup. That’s when I created Montana Maple Works. The next year I tapped the same amount of trees. Then we had a terrible windstorm and a tree fell in my yard. Through that process\, I learned that property lines in Missoula are not cut and dry. The arborist department determined the tree was more on my property\, so I was responsible. At the same time\, the head forester approached me and said I would be receiving a cease and desist letter for tapping trees on public right-of-way. So I had to shift gears and ensure all the trees I tapped were on private property. I lost a significant number of trees. The next year I was approached by Utah State University. They received a USDA grant to study the feasibility of maple syrup production in the Intermountain West. I became involved as a local expert. Now I’ve tapped up to 400 trees\, taught classes across multiple states\, and shared my expertise. How Tree Tapping WorksSo tell us a little bit about what kind of trees you can tap. Any tree in the Acer family\, any maple tree\, will give you sweet sap. Every tree has a different personality with different sugar levels and flavor profiles. You can also tap black walnut\, birch\, sycamore\, hickory\, and others\, though each has different processes and challenges. So how do you tap a tree? It’s really simple. You need a drill\, a clean drill bit\, and a tap. You drill about one and a half to two inches into the tree and set the tap with a hammer. You can collect sap using buckets\, bags\, or tubing systems. Some trees can produce four to five gallons of sap in a day under ideal conditions. From Sap to SyrupSo how does that translate into syrup? The rough average is 40 to 1. You need about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. That varies depending on sugar content. Yard trees with open canopies often have higher sugar content than forest trees. Some trees may require 60 to 1 or even 80 to 1 ratios. So how do you boil it down? You simply boil the sap until it reaches about 66–67% sugar concentration. This can be done with basic equipment\, but larger surface areas make the process more efficient. Sap is perishable\, so it needs to be processed quickly to maintain quality. Why This MattersWe’ve talked a lot about homesteading and learning skills. Even if you’re not tapping trees every year\, it’s valuable knowledge. Sugar is something we can’t always easily produce ourselves\, but tapping trees provides an alternative. A lot of people don’t realize these resources are available in their own backyards. It gives you a unique taste of where you are. Like terroir in wine\, the flavor reflects the environment\, the tree\, and the conditions. It’s just another resource that’s available almost anywhere. ClosingWell\, I really appreciate you coming on today and sharing your knowledge because I think this is something that opens people’s eyes. Do you have a website you want to share? Montana mapleworks.com If you want to learn more\, that’s where you can go. Feel free to reach out if you have questions. I love connecting with people and sharing this knowledge. Wonderful\, thank you. Absolutely\, good talking to you. 								\n					\n				\n				\n					\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Watch the Episode				\n				\n							\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					You might also enjoy...				\n				\n				\n							\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 133: What is the difference between aggies and homesteaders?			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Homestead Homeschool – How We Raise Self-Sufficient Children			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 147: How to Turn Your Homestead Into a Business with Stacey Carpenter of Hop’n Ridge Ranch			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 115: Teach Kids Critical Thinking with Natalie Burns			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 111: Kody’s Updates\, Rants\, and Information
URL:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events/teach-them-diligently/
LOCATION:Branson Convention Center\, 200 S Sycamore St\, Branson\, MO\, United States
CATEGORIES:Speaker or Workshop,Vendor
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260528
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260531
DTSTAMP:20260404T165638
CREATED:20260127T213809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T213809Z
UID:30974-1779926400-1780185599@www.thehomesteadeducation.com
SUMMARY:Texas Homeschool State Convention
DESCRIPTION:Episode Highlights				\n				\n									Sugaring isn’t just for the Northeast anymore. And the truth is — there are opportunities for food\, resources\, and self-sufficiency sitting right in our own backyards… if we’re willing to look a little closer. In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast\, Kody Hanner sits down with David Knudson of Montana Maple Works to talk about the surprising world of tapping trees for syrup in the Western U.S. — and what it really takes to turn sap into something usable\, valuable\, and even profitable. From tapping city trees to navigating regulations\, building a business from scratch\, and teaching others along the way — David shares how curiosity turned into a full-blown maple syrup operation\, and what that means for homesteaders and families looking to learn new skills. From understanding tree types and sap flow to the reality of how much work goes into a single gallon of syrup — this episode breaks down both the science and the practicality behind it all. This isn’t just about maple syrup.It’s about recognizing the resources around you — and learning how to use them. If you care about: Learning practical\, real-life homesteading skillsAlternative ways to source sugar and natural resourcesSmall-scale production and turning skills into incomeUnderstanding trees\, seasons\, and natural systemsBuilding resilience and self-sufficiency at homeThis episode will open your eyes to what’s possible — even in places you might not expect. In This Episode\, We Cover:How maple syrup production works — from sap to finished productWhy the West hasn’t traditionally tapped trees (and why that’s changing)What types of trees can be tapped beyond sugar maplesThe realities of sap-to-syrup ratios and production timeHow David built a business from a simple ideaThe challenges of regulations and accessing treesWhy learning skills like this matters for long-term self-sufficiency								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Podcast Links and Resources				\n				\n									If you enjoyed this conversation\, be sure to connect with David and learn more about tapping trees and syrup production. 🌐 Visit: Montana Maple Works 								\n				\n					Kody's Links				\n				\n									Homestead Education Curriculum:https://thehomesteadeducation.com Shop Books & Resources:https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shop Join the Email List for Resources & Updates:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribe Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducation YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation 								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Read The Transcript!				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					 ShowHide Full Transcript \n							\n			\n			\n		\n\n						\n				\n		\n					\n				\n									IntroductionHi everyone and welcome back to the Homestead Education Podcast. Today I have David Knudsen from Montana Maple Works with me and I am so excited to talk about all things maple syrup. So\, hi David\, how are you today? Doing great. Thanks for asking. So tell us a little bit about you and what you do. Getting Started with Maple SyrupSo I live in Missoula\, Missoula is known as the Garden City. City planners started planting Norway maples back when the city was originally founded. So our tree canopy in Missoula is predominantly maples\, Norway maple to be specific\, which is native to Eastern Europe. There are other maples planted around. The Norways are kind of invasive and so they’ve gotten into all the waterways and irrigation ditches. So it was about 11\, 12 years ago now that I was raking the leaves in front of my house and it was like a spring day\, well late winter\, early spring day. And I was just pondering my thoughts and thinking\, okay\, I know these are maple trees. What kind of maple trees are these? Can we make maple syrup? How do you make maple syrup? Can we make maple syrup here? So after a little research\, I discovered what kind of trees they were. I have one Norway and two Silvers planted in front of my house. And Silver Maples are commonly tapped for syrup. Norways\, not so much\, especially in their native environment\, which I find kind of surprising. So I ordered some equipment\, a simple tapping kit\, 10 spiles with some drop lines attached. I did a bit more research and realized that at that time there were a few more days of weather conducive to a sap flow. You’re looking for days that are above freezing\, ideally in the 40s with sunshine\, and then falling back below freezing\, ideally around 25 or so so that you get enough cold to draw the sap up into the canopy that can then flow the next day. So I put it together\, okay\, I could tap in\, but I’m probably not going to get a lot of sap for that many days. So I held off until the next year. I got a few more trees. The first year I tapped about five trees. Very shortly after I tapped in\, it was about a week to 10 days\, I came out to collect my sap in the afternoon one day and I saw all my equipment was gone. All the taps had been taken out of the tree. So I thought about it for a second. This doesn’t seem like vandalism. Then I realized these are most likely city trees. So I put it together that it was probably the city making a statement. So I followed up and called the forestry department\, not implicating myself\, and asked what they would do in this case. They said they would come in\, take the equipment off\, and try to inform the homeowner that this isn’t allowed. I was waiting for my second child at that time\, so I was definitely home and I never got the in-person contact. In Missoula\, homeowners are responsible for the trees that are in front of their house\, even if they’re not on the property per se. So my brain was like\, okay\, I’m paying to water these trees\, I’m paying to keep the clearance over the street and sidewalk\, I should be able to tap these trees. I didn’t know a tremendous amount other than the research I had done\, but I figured that if people have been making maple syrup for as long as they have\, it doesn’t kill the trees. I mean\, sustainable maple syrup tapping doesn’t damage trees. No. In fact\, there’s a study that was done in Michigan that showed there is possibly the opposite effect. So I was frustrated and I didn’t want to go through channels or go to city council. I made a meeting with my mayor and went directly to the top. He couldn’t have cared less. He didn’t think it was that cool. So I was like\, alright\, this isn’t going to deter me. I just have to find other trees that aren’t street trees. Growing Into a BusinessThe next year I got together about a group of 30 trees. There were some maples in front of my children’s school\, so I started teaching classes that next year\, just sharing the experience. Then 30 trees became 60 trees. In 2018\, I made a goal to try to tap as many trees as I could. Being self-employed and a property manager\, I was able to make the time. Every day after I dropped my kids off at school\, I walked around the neighborhood and connected with homeowners to get access to more trees. By late winter in 2019\, I had 250 trees to tap. I realized I needed the proper evaporating capacity. I put systems in place to efficiently reduce the sap into syrup. I had a great season. I made about 45 gallons that year. I realized I had created a small business without really intending to. Like when you have one business\, then you end up with another. You just go down that slippery slope. Yes\, very true. So I contacted the sanitarian and went through the proper avenues of getting licensed to sell my syrup. That’s when I created Montana Maple Works. The next year I tapped the same amount of trees. Then we had a terrible windstorm and a tree fell in my yard. Through that process\, I learned that property lines in Missoula are not cut and dry. The arborist department determined the tree was more on my property\, so I was responsible. At the same time\, the head forester approached me and said I would be receiving a cease and desist letter for tapping trees on public right-of-way. So I had to shift gears and ensure all the trees I tapped were on private property. I lost a significant number of trees. The next year I was approached by Utah State University. They received a USDA grant to study the feasibility of maple syrup production in the Intermountain West. I became involved as a local expert. Now I’ve tapped up to 400 trees\, taught classes across multiple states\, and shared my expertise. How Tree Tapping WorksSo tell us a little bit about what kind of trees you can tap. Any tree in the Acer family\, any maple tree\, will give you sweet sap. Every tree has a different personality with different sugar levels and flavor profiles. You can also tap black walnut\, birch\, sycamore\, hickory\, and others\, though each has different processes and challenges. So how do you tap a tree? It’s really simple. You need a drill\, a clean drill bit\, and a tap. You drill about one and a half to two inches into the tree and set the tap with a hammer. You can collect sap using buckets\, bags\, or tubing systems. Some trees can produce four to five gallons of sap in a day under ideal conditions. From Sap to SyrupSo how does that translate into syrup? The rough average is 40 to 1. You need about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. That varies depending on sugar content. Yard trees with open canopies often have higher sugar content than forest trees. Some trees may require 60 to 1 or even 80 to 1 ratios. So how do you boil it down? You simply boil the sap until it reaches about 66–67% sugar concentration. This can be done with basic equipment\, but larger surface areas make the process more efficient. Sap is perishable\, so it needs to be processed quickly to maintain quality. Why This MattersWe’ve talked a lot about homesteading and learning skills. Even if you’re not tapping trees every year\, it’s valuable knowledge. Sugar is something we can’t always easily produce ourselves\, but tapping trees provides an alternative. A lot of people don’t realize these resources are available in their own backyards. It gives you a unique taste of where you are. Like terroir in wine\, the flavor reflects the environment\, the tree\, and the conditions. It’s just another resource that’s available almost anywhere. ClosingWell\, I really appreciate you coming on today and sharing your knowledge because I think this is something that opens people’s eyes. Do you have a website you want to share? Montana mapleworks.com If you want to learn more\, that’s where you can go. Feel free to reach out if you have questions. I love connecting with people and sharing this knowledge. Wonderful\, thank you. Absolutely\, good talking to you. 								\n					\n				\n				\n					\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Watch the Episode				\n				\n							\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					You might also enjoy...				\n				\n				\n							\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				How To Do It All On Your Homestead			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 90: How to Teach a Survival Course to Kids			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Exploring Food and Whole Nutrition			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 134: Homesteading in the Southern Hemisphere with Living Traditions in Australia			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 84: Be Wise In Your Choices: Exploring An Off-Grid System
URL:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events/texas-homeschool-state-convention/
LOCATION:The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center\, 1601 Lake Robbins Dr\, The Woodlans\, TX\, United States
CATEGORIES:Speaker or Workshop,Vendor
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260605T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260607T170000
DTSTAMP:20260404T165638
CREATED:20260402T021153Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T021153Z
UID:32618-1780646400-1780851600@www.thehomesteadeducation.com
SUMMARY:HEAV's Virginia Homeschool Convention
DESCRIPTION:Episode Highlights				\n				\n									Sugaring isn’t just for the Northeast anymore. And the truth is — there are opportunities for food\, resources\, and self-sufficiency sitting right in our own backyards… if we’re willing to look a little closer. In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast\, Kody Hanner sits down with David Knudson of Montana Maple Works to talk about the surprising world of tapping trees for syrup in the Western U.S. — and what it really takes to turn sap into something usable\, valuable\, and even profitable. From tapping city trees to navigating regulations\, building a business from scratch\, and teaching others along the way — David shares how curiosity turned into a full-blown maple syrup operation\, and what that means for homesteaders and families looking to learn new skills. From understanding tree types and sap flow to the reality of how much work goes into a single gallon of syrup — this episode breaks down both the science and the practicality behind it all. This isn’t just about maple syrup.It’s about recognizing the resources around you — and learning how to use them. If you care about: Learning practical\, real-life homesteading skillsAlternative ways to source sugar and natural resourcesSmall-scale production and turning skills into incomeUnderstanding trees\, seasons\, and natural systemsBuilding resilience and self-sufficiency at homeThis episode will open your eyes to what’s possible — even in places you might not expect. In This Episode\, We Cover:How maple syrup production works — from sap to finished productWhy the West hasn’t traditionally tapped trees (and why that’s changing)What types of trees can be tapped beyond sugar maplesThe realities of sap-to-syrup ratios and production timeHow David built a business from a simple ideaThe challenges of regulations and accessing treesWhy learning skills like this matters for long-term self-sufficiency								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Podcast Links and Resources				\n				\n									If you enjoyed this conversation\, be sure to connect with David and learn more about tapping trees and syrup production. 🌐 Visit: Montana Maple Works 								\n				\n					Kody's Links				\n				\n									Homestead Education Curriculum:https://thehomesteadeducation.com Shop Books & Resources:https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shop Join the Email List for Resources & Updates:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribe Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducation YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation 								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Read The Transcript!				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					 ShowHide Full Transcript \n							\n			\n			\n		\n\n						\n				\n		\n					\n				\n									IntroductionHi everyone and welcome back to the Homestead Education Podcast. Today I have David Knudsen from Montana Maple Works with me and I am so excited to talk about all things maple syrup. So\, hi David\, how are you today? Doing great. Thanks for asking. So tell us a little bit about you and what you do. Getting Started with Maple SyrupSo I live in Missoula\, Missoula is known as the Garden City. City planners started planting Norway maples back when the city was originally founded. So our tree canopy in Missoula is predominantly maples\, Norway maple to be specific\, which is native to Eastern Europe. There are other maples planted around. The Norways are kind of invasive and so they’ve gotten into all the waterways and irrigation ditches. So it was about 11\, 12 years ago now that I was raking the leaves in front of my house and it was like a spring day\, well late winter\, early spring day. And I was just pondering my thoughts and thinking\, okay\, I know these are maple trees. What kind of maple trees are these? Can we make maple syrup? How do you make maple syrup? Can we make maple syrup here? So after a little research\, I discovered what kind of trees they were. I have one Norway and two Silvers planted in front of my house. And Silver Maples are commonly tapped for syrup. Norways\, not so much\, especially in their native environment\, which I find kind of surprising. So I ordered some equipment\, a simple tapping kit\, 10 spiles with some drop lines attached. I did a bit more research and realized that at that time there were a few more days of weather conducive to a sap flow. You’re looking for days that are above freezing\, ideally in the 40s with sunshine\, and then falling back below freezing\, ideally around 25 or so so that you get enough cold to draw the sap up into the canopy that can then flow the next day. So I put it together\, okay\, I could tap in\, but I’m probably not going to get a lot of sap for that many days. So I held off until the next year. I got a few more trees. The first year I tapped about five trees. Very shortly after I tapped in\, it was about a week to 10 days\, I came out to collect my sap in the afternoon one day and I saw all my equipment was gone. All the taps had been taken out of the tree. So I thought about it for a second. This doesn’t seem like vandalism. Then I realized these are most likely city trees. So I put it together that it was probably the city making a statement. So I followed up and called the forestry department\, not implicating myself\, and asked what they would do in this case. They said they would come in\, take the equipment off\, and try to inform the homeowner that this isn’t allowed. I was waiting for my second child at that time\, so I was definitely home and I never got the in-person contact. In Missoula\, homeowners are responsible for the trees that are in front of their house\, even if they’re not on the property per se. So my brain was like\, okay\, I’m paying to water these trees\, I’m paying to keep the clearance over the street and sidewalk\, I should be able to tap these trees. I didn’t know a tremendous amount other than the research I had done\, but I figured that if people have been making maple syrup for as long as they have\, it doesn’t kill the trees. I mean\, sustainable maple syrup tapping doesn’t damage trees. No. In fact\, there’s a study that was done in Michigan that showed there is possibly the opposite effect. So I was frustrated and I didn’t want to go through channels or go to city council. I made a meeting with my mayor and went directly to the top. He couldn’t have cared less. He didn’t think it was that cool. So I was like\, alright\, this isn’t going to deter me. I just have to find other trees that aren’t street trees. Growing Into a BusinessThe next year I got together about a group of 30 trees. There were some maples in front of my children’s school\, so I started teaching classes that next year\, just sharing the experience. Then 30 trees became 60 trees. In 2018\, I made a goal to try to tap as many trees as I could. Being self-employed and a property manager\, I was able to make the time. Every day after I dropped my kids off at school\, I walked around the neighborhood and connected with homeowners to get access to more trees. By late winter in 2019\, I had 250 trees to tap. I realized I needed the proper evaporating capacity. I put systems in place to efficiently reduce the sap into syrup. I had a great season. I made about 45 gallons that year. I realized I had created a small business without really intending to. Like when you have one business\, then you end up with another. You just go down that slippery slope. Yes\, very true. So I contacted the sanitarian and went through the proper avenues of getting licensed to sell my syrup. That’s when I created Montana Maple Works. The next year I tapped the same amount of trees. Then we had a terrible windstorm and a tree fell in my yard. Through that process\, I learned that property lines in Missoula are not cut and dry. The arborist department determined the tree was more on my property\, so I was responsible. At the same time\, the head forester approached me and said I would be receiving a cease and desist letter for tapping trees on public right-of-way. So I had to shift gears and ensure all the trees I tapped were on private property. I lost a significant number of trees. The next year I was approached by Utah State University. They received a USDA grant to study the feasibility of maple syrup production in the Intermountain West. I became involved as a local expert. Now I’ve tapped up to 400 trees\, taught classes across multiple states\, and shared my expertise. How Tree Tapping WorksSo tell us a little bit about what kind of trees you can tap. Any tree in the Acer family\, any maple tree\, will give you sweet sap. Every tree has a different personality with different sugar levels and flavor profiles. You can also tap black walnut\, birch\, sycamore\, hickory\, and others\, though each has different processes and challenges. So how do you tap a tree? It’s really simple. You need a drill\, a clean drill bit\, and a tap. You drill about one and a half to two inches into the tree and set the tap with a hammer. You can collect sap using buckets\, bags\, or tubing systems. Some trees can produce four to five gallons of sap in a day under ideal conditions. From Sap to SyrupSo how does that translate into syrup? The rough average is 40 to 1. You need about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. That varies depending on sugar content. Yard trees with open canopies often have higher sugar content than forest trees. Some trees may require 60 to 1 or even 80 to 1 ratios. So how do you boil it down? You simply boil the sap until it reaches about 66–67% sugar concentration. This can be done with basic equipment\, but larger surface areas make the process more efficient. Sap is perishable\, so it needs to be processed quickly to maintain quality. Why This MattersWe’ve talked a lot about homesteading and learning skills. Even if you’re not tapping trees every year\, it’s valuable knowledge. Sugar is something we can’t always easily produce ourselves\, but tapping trees provides an alternative. A lot of people don’t realize these resources are available in their own backyards. It gives you a unique taste of where you are. Like terroir in wine\, the flavor reflects the environment\, the tree\, and the conditions. It’s just another resource that’s available almost anywhere. ClosingWell\, I really appreciate you coming on today and sharing your knowledge because I think this is something that opens people’s eyes. Do you have a website you want to share? Montana mapleworks.com If you want to learn more\, that’s where you can go. Feel free to reach out if you have questions. I love connecting with people and sharing this knowledge. Wonderful\, thank you. Absolutely\, good talking to you. 								\n					\n				\n				\n					\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Watch the Episode				\n				\n							\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					You might also enjoy...				\n				\n				\n							\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Niche Markets and Small Businesses with Rockbridge Farmstead			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 143: What happens when your homestead isn’t compliant with food laws?			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Everyone’s Kids Are In A Combat Zone			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 108: Just Be You with Roxy Kilmer			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 151: Flying into the Future of Farming: Drones\, Sustainability\, and Homeschooling with Alex McRae
URL:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events/heavs-virginia-homeschool-convention/
LOCATION:Greater Richmond Convention Center\, 403 N 3rd St\, Richmond\, VA\, 23219
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260612
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260614
DTSTAMP:20260404T165638
CREATED:20260127T214024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T214024Z
UID:30977-1781222400-1781395199@www.thehomesteadeducation.com
SUMMARY:Northern California Homeschool Convention
DESCRIPTION:Episode Highlights				\n				\n									Sugaring isn’t just for the Northeast anymore. And the truth is — there are opportunities for food\, resources\, and self-sufficiency sitting right in our own backyards… if we’re willing to look a little closer. In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast\, Kody Hanner sits down with David Knudson of Montana Maple Works to talk about the surprising world of tapping trees for syrup in the Western U.S. — and what it really takes to turn sap into something usable\, valuable\, and even profitable. From tapping city trees to navigating regulations\, building a business from scratch\, and teaching others along the way — David shares how curiosity turned into a full-blown maple syrup operation\, and what that means for homesteaders and families looking to learn new skills. From understanding tree types and sap flow to the reality of how much work goes into a single gallon of syrup — this episode breaks down both the science and the practicality behind it all. This isn’t just about maple syrup.It’s about recognizing the resources around you — and learning how to use them. If you care about: Learning practical\, real-life homesteading skillsAlternative ways to source sugar and natural resourcesSmall-scale production and turning skills into incomeUnderstanding trees\, seasons\, and natural systemsBuilding resilience and self-sufficiency at homeThis episode will open your eyes to what’s possible — even in places you might not expect. In This Episode\, We Cover:How maple syrup production works — from sap to finished productWhy the West hasn’t traditionally tapped trees (and why that’s changing)What types of trees can be tapped beyond sugar maplesThe realities of sap-to-syrup ratios and production timeHow David built a business from a simple ideaThe challenges of regulations and accessing treesWhy learning skills like this matters for long-term self-sufficiency								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Podcast Links and Resources				\n				\n									If you enjoyed this conversation\, be sure to connect with David and learn more about tapping trees and syrup production. 🌐 Visit: Montana Maple Works 								\n				\n					Kody's Links				\n				\n									Homestead Education Curriculum:https://thehomesteadeducation.com Shop Books & Resources:https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shop Join the Email List for Resources & Updates:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribe Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducation YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation 								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Read The Transcript!				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					 ShowHide Full Transcript \n							\n			\n			\n		\n\n						\n				\n		\n					\n				\n									IntroductionHi everyone and welcome back to the Homestead Education Podcast. Today I have David Knudsen from Montana Maple Works with me and I am so excited to talk about all things maple syrup. So\, hi David\, how are you today? Doing great. Thanks for asking. So tell us a little bit about you and what you do. Getting Started with Maple SyrupSo I live in Missoula\, Missoula is known as the Garden City. City planners started planting Norway maples back when the city was originally founded. So our tree canopy in Missoula is predominantly maples\, Norway maple to be specific\, which is native to Eastern Europe. There are other maples planted around. The Norways are kind of invasive and so they’ve gotten into all the waterways and irrigation ditches. So it was about 11\, 12 years ago now that I was raking the leaves in front of my house and it was like a spring day\, well late winter\, early spring day. And I was just pondering my thoughts and thinking\, okay\, I know these are maple trees. What kind of maple trees are these? Can we make maple syrup? How do you make maple syrup? Can we make maple syrup here? So after a little research\, I discovered what kind of trees they were. I have one Norway and two Silvers planted in front of my house. And Silver Maples are commonly tapped for syrup. Norways\, not so much\, especially in their native environment\, which I find kind of surprising. So I ordered some equipment\, a simple tapping kit\, 10 spiles with some drop lines attached. I did a bit more research and realized that at that time there were a few more days of weather conducive to a sap flow. You’re looking for days that are above freezing\, ideally in the 40s with sunshine\, and then falling back below freezing\, ideally around 25 or so so that you get enough cold to draw the sap up into the canopy that can then flow the next day. So I put it together\, okay\, I could tap in\, but I’m probably not going to get a lot of sap for that many days. So I held off until the next year. I got a few more trees. The first year I tapped about five trees. Very shortly after I tapped in\, it was about a week to 10 days\, I came out to collect my sap in the afternoon one day and I saw all my equipment was gone. All the taps had been taken out of the tree. So I thought about it for a second. This doesn’t seem like vandalism. Then I realized these are most likely city trees. So I put it together that it was probably the city making a statement. So I followed up and called the forestry department\, not implicating myself\, and asked what they would do in this case. They said they would come in\, take the equipment off\, and try to inform the homeowner that this isn’t allowed. I was waiting for my second child at that time\, so I was definitely home and I never got the in-person contact. In Missoula\, homeowners are responsible for the trees that are in front of their house\, even if they’re not on the property per se. So my brain was like\, okay\, I’m paying to water these trees\, I’m paying to keep the clearance over the street and sidewalk\, I should be able to tap these trees. I didn’t know a tremendous amount other than the research I had done\, but I figured that if people have been making maple syrup for as long as they have\, it doesn’t kill the trees. I mean\, sustainable maple syrup tapping doesn’t damage trees. No. In fact\, there’s a study that was done in Michigan that showed there is possibly the opposite effect. So I was frustrated and I didn’t want to go through channels or go to city council. I made a meeting with my mayor and went directly to the top. He couldn’t have cared less. He didn’t think it was that cool. So I was like\, alright\, this isn’t going to deter me. I just have to find other trees that aren’t street trees. Growing Into a BusinessThe next year I got together about a group of 30 trees. There were some maples in front of my children’s school\, so I started teaching classes that next year\, just sharing the experience. Then 30 trees became 60 trees. In 2018\, I made a goal to try to tap as many trees as I could. Being self-employed and a property manager\, I was able to make the time. Every day after I dropped my kids off at school\, I walked around the neighborhood and connected with homeowners to get access to more trees. By late winter in 2019\, I had 250 trees to tap. I realized I needed the proper evaporating capacity. I put systems in place to efficiently reduce the sap into syrup. I had a great season. I made about 45 gallons that year. I realized I had created a small business without really intending to. Like when you have one business\, then you end up with another. You just go down that slippery slope. Yes\, very true. So I contacted the sanitarian and went through the proper avenues of getting licensed to sell my syrup. That’s when I created Montana Maple Works. The next year I tapped the same amount of trees. Then we had a terrible windstorm and a tree fell in my yard. Through that process\, I learned that property lines in Missoula are not cut and dry. The arborist department determined the tree was more on my property\, so I was responsible. At the same time\, the head forester approached me and said I would be receiving a cease and desist letter for tapping trees on public right-of-way. So I had to shift gears and ensure all the trees I tapped were on private property. I lost a significant number of trees. The next year I was approached by Utah State University. They received a USDA grant to study the feasibility of maple syrup production in the Intermountain West. I became involved as a local expert. Now I’ve tapped up to 400 trees\, taught classes across multiple states\, and shared my expertise. How Tree Tapping WorksSo tell us a little bit about what kind of trees you can tap. Any tree in the Acer family\, any maple tree\, will give you sweet sap. Every tree has a different personality with different sugar levels and flavor profiles. You can also tap black walnut\, birch\, sycamore\, hickory\, and others\, though each has different processes and challenges. So how do you tap a tree? It’s really simple. You need a drill\, a clean drill bit\, and a tap. You drill about one and a half to two inches into the tree and set the tap with a hammer. You can collect sap using buckets\, bags\, or tubing systems. Some trees can produce four to five gallons of sap in a day under ideal conditions. From Sap to SyrupSo how does that translate into syrup? The rough average is 40 to 1. You need about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. That varies depending on sugar content. Yard trees with open canopies often have higher sugar content than forest trees. Some trees may require 60 to 1 or even 80 to 1 ratios. So how do you boil it down? You simply boil the sap until it reaches about 66–67% sugar concentration. This can be done with basic equipment\, but larger surface areas make the process more efficient. Sap is perishable\, so it needs to be processed quickly to maintain quality. Why This MattersWe’ve talked a lot about homesteading and learning skills. Even if you’re not tapping trees every year\, it’s valuable knowledge. Sugar is something we can’t always easily produce ourselves\, but tapping trees provides an alternative. A lot of people don’t realize these resources are available in their own backyards. It gives you a unique taste of where you are. Like terroir in wine\, the flavor reflects the environment\, the tree\, and the conditions. It’s just another resource that’s available almost anywhere. ClosingWell\, I really appreciate you coming on today and sharing your knowledge because I think this is something that opens people’s eyes. Do you have a website you want to share? Montana mapleworks.com If you want to learn more\, that’s where you can go. Feel free to reach out if you have questions. I love connecting with people and sharing this knowledge. Wonderful\, thank you. Absolutely\, good talking to you. 								\n					\n				\n				\n					\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Watch the Episode				\n				\n							\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					You might also enjoy...				\n				\n				\n							\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 113: Practical Crafts with Brittany Ford of Mountain Girl Makes It			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 121: Raise Them Rurally with Kody Hanner			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 129: What Homestead Skills Should You Learn to Save the Most Money?			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 98: Exploring The Lifestyle of a Homestead Entrepreneur with Janet Garman			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Getting The Most Out of Traveling With Kids
URL:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events/northern-california-homeschool-convention/
LOCATION:Destiny Community Center\, 6850 Five Star Blvd.\, Rocklin\, CA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Speaker or Workshop,Vendor
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260626
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260628
DTSTAMP:20260404T165638
CREATED:20260127T214249Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T214249Z
UID:30980-1782432000-1782604799@www.thehomesteadeducation.com
SUMMARY:Modern Homesteading Conference
DESCRIPTION:Episode Highlights				\n				\n									Sugaring isn’t just for the Northeast anymore. And the truth is — there are opportunities for food\, resources\, and self-sufficiency sitting right in our own backyards… if we’re willing to look a little closer. In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast\, Kody Hanner sits down with David Knudson of Montana Maple Works to talk about the surprising world of tapping trees for syrup in the Western U.S. — and what it really takes to turn sap into something usable\, valuable\, and even profitable. From tapping city trees to navigating regulations\, building a business from scratch\, and teaching others along the way — David shares how curiosity turned into a full-blown maple syrup operation\, and what that means for homesteaders and families looking to learn new skills. From understanding tree types and sap flow to the reality of how much work goes into a single gallon of syrup — this episode breaks down both the science and the practicality behind it all. This isn’t just about maple syrup.It’s about recognizing the resources around you — and learning how to use them. If you care about: Learning practical\, real-life homesteading skillsAlternative ways to source sugar and natural resourcesSmall-scale production and turning skills into incomeUnderstanding trees\, seasons\, and natural systemsBuilding resilience and self-sufficiency at homeThis episode will open your eyes to what’s possible — even in places you might not expect. In This Episode\, We Cover:How maple syrup production works — from sap to finished productWhy the West hasn’t traditionally tapped trees (and why that’s changing)What types of trees can be tapped beyond sugar maplesThe realities of sap-to-syrup ratios and production timeHow David built a business from a simple ideaThe challenges of regulations and accessing treesWhy learning skills like this matters for long-term self-sufficiency								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Podcast Links and Resources				\n				\n									If you enjoyed this conversation\, be sure to connect with David and learn more about tapping trees and syrup production. 🌐 Visit: Montana Maple Works 								\n				\n					Kody's Links				\n				\n									Homestead Education Curriculum:https://thehomesteadeducation.com Shop Books & Resources:https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shop Join the Email List for Resources & Updates:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribe Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducation YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation 								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Read The Transcript!				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					 ShowHide Full Transcript \n							\n			\n			\n		\n\n						\n				\n		\n					\n				\n									IntroductionHi everyone and welcome back to the Homestead Education Podcast. Today I have David Knudsen from Montana Maple Works with me and I am so excited to talk about all things maple syrup. So\, hi David\, how are you today? Doing great. Thanks for asking. So tell us a little bit about you and what you do. Getting Started with Maple SyrupSo I live in Missoula\, Missoula is known as the Garden City. City planners started planting Norway maples back when the city was originally founded. So our tree canopy in Missoula is predominantly maples\, Norway maple to be specific\, which is native to Eastern Europe. There are other maples planted around. The Norways are kind of invasive and so they’ve gotten into all the waterways and irrigation ditches. So it was about 11\, 12 years ago now that I was raking the leaves in front of my house and it was like a spring day\, well late winter\, early spring day. And I was just pondering my thoughts and thinking\, okay\, I know these are maple trees. What kind of maple trees are these? Can we make maple syrup? How do you make maple syrup? Can we make maple syrup here? So after a little research\, I discovered what kind of trees they were. I have one Norway and two Silvers planted in front of my house. And Silver Maples are commonly tapped for syrup. Norways\, not so much\, especially in their native environment\, which I find kind of surprising. So I ordered some equipment\, a simple tapping kit\, 10 spiles with some drop lines attached. I did a bit more research and realized that at that time there were a few more days of weather conducive to a sap flow. You’re looking for days that are above freezing\, ideally in the 40s with sunshine\, and then falling back below freezing\, ideally around 25 or so so that you get enough cold to draw the sap up into the canopy that can then flow the next day. So I put it together\, okay\, I could tap in\, but I’m probably not going to get a lot of sap for that many days. So I held off until the next year. I got a few more trees. The first year I tapped about five trees. Very shortly after I tapped in\, it was about a week to 10 days\, I came out to collect my sap in the afternoon one day and I saw all my equipment was gone. All the taps had been taken out of the tree. So I thought about it for a second. This doesn’t seem like vandalism. Then I realized these are most likely city trees. So I put it together that it was probably the city making a statement. So I followed up and called the forestry department\, not implicating myself\, and asked what they would do in this case. They said they would come in\, take the equipment off\, and try to inform the homeowner that this isn’t allowed. I was waiting for my second child at that time\, so I was definitely home and I never got the in-person contact. In Missoula\, homeowners are responsible for the trees that are in front of their house\, even if they’re not on the property per se. So my brain was like\, okay\, I’m paying to water these trees\, I’m paying to keep the clearance over the street and sidewalk\, I should be able to tap these trees. I didn’t know a tremendous amount other than the research I had done\, but I figured that if people have been making maple syrup for as long as they have\, it doesn’t kill the trees. I mean\, sustainable maple syrup tapping doesn’t damage trees. No. In fact\, there’s a study that was done in Michigan that showed there is possibly the opposite effect. So I was frustrated and I didn’t want to go through channels or go to city council. I made a meeting with my mayor and went directly to the top. He couldn’t have cared less. He didn’t think it was that cool. So I was like\, alright\, this isn’t going to deter me. I just have to find other trees that aren’t street trees. Growing Into a BusinessThe next year I got together about a group of 30 trees. There were some maples in front of my children’s school\, so I started teaching classes that next year\, just sharing the experience. Then 30 trees became 60 trees. In 2018\, I made a goal to try to tap as many trees as I could. Being self-employed and a property manager\, I was able to make the time. Every day after I dropped my kids off at school\, I walked around the neighborhood and connected with homeowners to get access to more trees. By late winter in 2019\, I had 250 trees to tap. I realized I needed the proper evaporating capacity. I put systems in place to efficiently reduce the sap into syrup. I had a great season. I made about 45 gallons that year. I realized I had created a small business without really intending to. Like when you have one business\, then you end up with another. You just go down that slippery slope. Yes\, very true. So I contacted the sanitarian and went through the proper avenues of getting licensed to sell my syrup. That’s when I created Montana Maple Works. The next year I tapped the same amount of trees. Then we had a terrible windstorm and a tree fell in my yard. Through that process\, I learned that property lines in Missoula are not cut and dry. The arborist department determined the tree was more on my property\, so I was responsible. At the same time\, the head forester approached me and said I would be receiving a cease and desist letter for tapping trees on public right-of-way. So I had to shift gears and ensure all the trees I tapped were on private property. I lost a significant number of trees. The next year I was approached by Utah State University. They received a USDA grant to study the feasibility of maple syrup production in the Intermountain West. I became involved as a local expert. Now I’ve tapped up to 400 trees\, taught classes across multiple states\, and shared my expertise. How Tree Tapping WorksSo tell us a little bit about what kind of trees you can tap. Any tree in the Acer family\, any maple tree\, will give you sweet sap. Every tree has a different personality with different sugar levels and flavor profiles. You can also tap black walnut\, birch\, sycamore\, hickory\, and others\, though each has different processes and challenges. So how do you tap a tree? It’s really simple. You need a drill\, a clean drill bit\, and a tap. You drill about one and a half to two inches into the tree and set the tap with a hammer. You can collect sap using buckets\, bags\, or tubing systems. Some trees can produce four to five gallons of sap in a day under ideal conditions. From Sap to SyrupSo how does that translate into syrup? The rough average is 40 to 1. You need about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. That varies depending on sugar content. Yard trees with open canopies often have higher sugar content than forest trees. Some trees may require 60 to 1 or even 80 to 1 ratios. So how do you boil it down? You simply boil the sap until it reaches about 66–67% sugar concentration. This can be done with basic equipment\, but larger surface areas make the process more efficient. Sap is perishable\, so it needs to be processed quickly to maintain quality. Why This MattersWe’ve talked a lot about homesteading and learning skills. Even if you’re not tapping trees every year\, it’s valuable knowledge. Sugar is something we can’t always easily produce ourselves\, but tapping trees provides an alternative. A lot of people don’t realize these resources are available in their own backyards. It gives you a unique taste of where you are. Like terroir in wine\, the flavor reflects the environment\, the tree\, and the conditions. It’s just another resource that’s available almost anywhere. ClosingWell\, I really appreciate you coming on today and sharing your knowledge because I think this is something that opens people’s eyes. Do you have a website you want to share? Montana mapleworks.com If you want to learn more\, that’s where you can go. Feel free to reach out if you have questions. I love connecting with people and sharing this knowledge. Wonderful\, thank you. Absolutely\, good talking to you. 								\n					\n				\n				\n					\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Watch the Episode				\n				\n							\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					You might also enjoy...				\n				\n				\n							\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 109: Blessed to call powerful women my homestead sisters			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				What is food freedom?			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 130: Celebrating a Homestead Christmas			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 167: How Farmers Can Make Direct-to-Consumer Work | Agriculture\, Marketing & Modern Farming			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 126: Are there misconceptions about being a homesteader?
URL:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events/modern-homesteading-conference-3/
LOCATION:Kootenai County Fairgrounds\, 4056 N Government Wy\, Coeur d'Alene\, ID\, United States
CATEGORIES:Vendor
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260724
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260726
DTSTAMP:20260404T165638
CREATED:20260127T214551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T214551Z
UID:30983-1784851200-1785023999@www.thehomesteadeducation.com
SUMMARY:Southeast Homeschool Expo
DESCRIPTION:Episode Highlights				\n				\n									Sugaring isn’t just for the Northeast anymore. And the truth is — there are opportunities for food\, resources\, and self-sufficiency sitting right in our own backyards… if we’re willing to look a little closer. In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast\, Kody Hanner sits down with David Knudson of Montana Maple Works to talk about the surprising world of tapping trees for syrup in the Western U.S. — and what it really takes to turn sap into something usable\, valuable\, and even profitable. From tapping city trees to navigating regulations\, building a business from scratch\, and teaching others along the way — David shares how curiosity turned into a full-blown maple syrup operation\, and what that means for homesteaders and families looking to learn new skills. From understanding tree types and sap flow to the reality of how much work goes into a single gallon of syrup — this episode breaks down both the science and the practicality behind it all. This isn’t just about maple syrup.It’s about recognizing the resources around you — and learning how to use them. If you care about: Learning practical\, real-life homesteading skillsAlternative ways to source sugar and natural resourcesSmall-scale production and turning skills into incomeUnderstanding trees\, seasons\, and natural systemsBuilding resilience and self-sufficiency at homeThis episode will open your eyes to what’s possible — even in places you might not expect. In This Episode\, We Cover:How maple syrup production works — from sap to finished productWhy the West hasn’t traditionally tapped trees (and why that’s changing)What types of trees can be tapped beyond sugar maplesThe realities of sap-to-syrup ratios and production timeHow David built a business from a simple ideaThe challenges of regulations and accessing treesWhy learning skills like this matters for long-term self-sufficiency								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Podcast Links and Resources				\n				\n									If you enjoyed this conversation\, be sure to connect with David and learn more about tapping trees and syrup production. 🌐 Visit: Montana Maple Works 								\n				\n					Kody's Links				\n				\n									Homestead Education Curriculum:https://thehomesteadeducation.com Shop Books & Resources:https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shop Join the Email List for Resources & Updates:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribe Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducation YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation 								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Read The Transcript!				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					 ShowHide Full Transcript \n							\n			\n			\n		\n\n						\n				\n		\n					\n				\n									IntroductionHi everyone and welcome back to the Homestead Education Podcast. Today I have David Knudsen from Montana Maple Works with me and I am so excited to talk about all things maple syrup. So\, hi David\, how are you today? Doing great. Thanks for asking. So tell us a little bit about you and what you do. Getting Started with Maple SyrupSo I live in Missoula\, Missoula is known as the Garden City. City planners started planting Norway maples back when the city was originally founded. So our tree canopy in Missoula is predominantly maples\, Norway maple to be specific\, which is native to Eastern Europe. There are other maples planted around. The Norways are kind of invasive and so they’ve gotten into all the waterways and irrigation ditches. So it was about 11\, 12 years ago now that I was raking the leaves in front of my house and it was like a spring day\, well late winter\, early spring day. And I was just pondering my thoughts and thinking\, okay\, I know these are maple trees. What kind of maple trees are these? Can we make maple syrup? How do you make maple syrup? Can we make maple syrup here? So after a little research\, I discovered what kind of trees they were. I have one Norway and two Silvers planted in front of my house. And Silver Maples are commonly tapped for syrup. Norways\, not so much\, especially in their native environment\, which I find kind of surprising. So I ordered some equipment\, a simple tapping kit\, 10 spiles with some drop lines attached. I did a bit more research and realized that at that time there were a few more days of weather conducive to a sap flow. You’re looking for days that are above freezing\, ideally in the 40s with sunshine\, and then falling back below freezing\, ideally around 25 or so so that you get enough cold to draw the sap up into the canopy that can then flow the next day. So I put it together\, okay\, I could tap in\, but I’m probably not going to get a lot of sap for that many days. So I held off until the next year. I got a few more trees. The first year I tapped about five trees. Very shortly after I tapped in\, it was about a week to 10 days\, I came out to collect my sap in the afternoon one day and I saw all my equipment was gone. All the taps had been taken out of the tree. So I thought about it for a second. This doesn’t seem like vandalism. Then I realized these are most likely city trees. So I put it together that it was probably the city making a statement. So I followed up and called the forestry department\, not implicating myself\, and asked what they would do in this case. They said they would come in\, take the equipment off\, and try to inform the homeowner that this isn’t allowed. I was waiting for my second child at that time\, so I was definitely home and I never got the in-person contact. In Missoula\, homeowners are responsible for the trees that are in front of their house\, even if they’re not on the property per se. So my brain was like\, okay\, I’m paying to water these trees\, I’m paying to keep the clearance over the street and sidewalk\, I should be able to tap these trees. I didn’t know a tremendous amount other than the research I had done\, but I figured that if people have been making maple syrup for as long as they have\, it doesn’t kill the trees. I mean\, sustainable maple syrup tapping doesn’t damage trees. No. In fact\, there’s a study that was done in Michigan that showed there is possibly the opposite effect. So I was frustrated and I didn’t want to go through channels or go to city council. I made a meeting with my mayor and went directly to the top. He couldn’t have cared less. He didn’t think it was that cool. So I was like\, alright\, this isn’t going to deter me. I just have to find other trees that aren’t street trees. Growing Into a BusinessThe next year I got together about a group of 30 trees. There were some maples in front of my children’s school\, so I started teaching classes that next year\, just sharing the experience. Then 30 trees became 60 trees. In 2018\, I made a goal to try to tap as many trees as I could. Being self-employed and a property manager\, I was able to make the time. Every day after I dropped my kids off at school\, I walked around the neighborhood and connected with homeowners to get access to more trees. By late winter in 2019\, I had 250 trees to tap. I realized I needed the proper evaporating capacity. I put systems in place to efficiently reduce the sap into syrup. I had a great season. I made about 45 gallons that year. I realized I had created a small business without really intending to. Like when you have one business\, then you end up with another. You just go down that slippery slope. Yes\, very true. So I contacted the sanitarian and went through the proper avenues of getting licensed to sell my syrup. That’s when I created Montana Maple Works. The next year I tapped the same amount of trees. Then we had a terrible windstorm and a tree fell in my yard. Through that process\, I learned that property lines in Missoula are not cut and dry. The arborist department determined the tree was more on my property\, so I was responsible. At the same time\, the head forester approached me and said I would be receiving a cease and desist letter for tapping trees on public right-of-way. So I had to shift gears and ensure all the trees I tapped were on private property. I lost a significant number of trees. The next year I was approached by Utah State University. They received a USDA grant to study the feasibility of maple syrup production in the Intermountain West. I became involved as a local expert. Now I’ve tapped up to 400 trees\, taught classes across multiple states\, and shared my expertise. How Tree Tapping WorksSo tell us a little bit about what kind of trees you can tap. Any tree in the Acer family\, any maple tree\, will give you sweet sap. Every tree has a different personality with different sugar levels and flavor profiles. You can also tap black walnut\, birch\, sycamore\, hickory\, and others\, though each has different processes and challenges. So how do you tap a tree? It’s really simple. You need a drill\, a clean drill bit\, and a tap. You drill about one and a half to two inches into the tree and set the tap with a hammer. You can collect sap using buckets\, bags\, or tubing systems. Some trees can produce four to five gallons of sap in a day under ideal conditions. From Sap to SyrupSo how does that translate into syrup? The rough average is 40 to 1. You need about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. That varies depending on sugar content. Yard trees with open canopies often have higher sugar content than forest trees. Some trees may require 60 to 1 or even 80 to 1 ratios. So how do you boil it down? You simply boil the sap until it reaches about 66–67% sugar concentration. This can be done with basic equipment\, but larger surface areas make the process more efficient. Sap is perishable\, so it needs to be processed quickly to maintain quality. Why This MattersWe’ve talked a lot about homesteading and learning skills. Even if you’re not tapping trees every year\, it’s valuable knowledge. Sugar is something we can’t always easily produce ourselves\, but tapping trees provides an alternative. A lot of people don’t realize these resources are available in their own backyards. It gives you a unique taste of where you are. Like terroir in wine\, the flavor reflects the environment\, the tree\, and the conditions. It’s just another resource that’s available almost anywhere. ClosingWell\, I really appreciate you coming on today and sharing your knowledge because I think this is something that opens people’s eyes. Do you have a website you want to share? Montana mapleworks.com If you want to learn more\, that’s where you can go. Feel free to reach out if you have questions. I love connecting with people and sharing this knowledge. Wonderful\, thank you. Absolutely\, good talking to you. 								\n					\n				\n				\n					\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Watch the Episode				\n				\n							\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					You might also enjoy...				\n				\n				\n							\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 158: The Truth About Tallow: Real Benefits of Grass-Fed Skincare with Jennifer Wheeler			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 84: Be Wise In Your Choices: Exploring An Off-Grid System			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				How I Saved My Struggling Homestead			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 111: Kody’s Updates\, Rants\, and Information			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 107: Just an Honest Mom Helping Parents Raise Self-Sufficient Kids
URL:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events/southeast-homeschool-expo/
LOCATION:Cobb Convention Center\, 2 Galleria Pkwy SE\, Atlanta\, GA\, United States
CATEGORIES:Speaker or Workshop,Vendor
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260904
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260906
DTSTAMP:20260404T165638
CREATED:20260127T214853Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260127T214853Z
UID:30986-1788480000-1788652799@www.thehomesteadeducation.com
SUMMARY:Ozarks Homesteading Expo
DESCRIPTION:Episode Highlights				\n				\n									Sugaring isn’t just for the Northeast anymore. And the truth is — there are opportunities for food\, resources\, and self-sufficiency sitting right in our own backyards… if we’re willing to look a little closer. In this episode of The Homestead Education Podcast\, Kody Hanner sits down with David Knudson of Montana Maple Works to talk about the surprising world of tapping trees for syrup in the Western U.S. — and what it really takes to turn sap into something usable\, valuable\, and even profitable. From tapping city trees to navigating regulations\, building a business from scratch\, and teaching others along the way — David shares how curiosity turned into a full-blown maple syrup operation\, and what that means for homesteaders and families looking to learn new skills. From understanding tree types and sap flow to the reality of how much work goes into a single gallon of syrup — this episode breaks down both the science and the practicality behind it all. This isn’t just about maple syrup.It’s about recognizing the resources around you — and learning how to use them. If you care about: Learning practical\, real-life homesteading skillsAlternative ways to source sugar and natural resourcesSmall-scale production and turning skills into incomeUnderstanding trees\, seasons\, and natural systemsBuilding resilience and self-sufficiency at homeThis episode will open your eyes to what’s possible — even in places you might not expect. In This Episode\, We Cover:How maple syrup production works — from sap to finished productWhy the West hasn’t traditionally tapped trees (and why that’s changing)What types of trees can be tapped beyond sugar maplesThe realities of sap-to-syrup ratios and production timeHow David built a business from a simple ideaThe challenges of regulations and accessing treesWhy learning skills like this matters for long-term self-sufficiency								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Podcast Links and Resources				\n				\n									If you enjoyed this conversation\, be sure to connect with David and learn more about tapping trees and syrup production. 🌐 Visit: Montana Maple Works 								\n				\n					Kody's Links				\n				\n									Homestead Education Curriculum:https://thehomesteadeducation.com Shop Books & Resources:https://thehomesteadeducation.com/shop Join the Email List for Resources & Updates:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/subscribe Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/homestead_education Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/thehomesteadeducation TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/thehomesteadeducation YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@homesteadeducation 								\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Read The Transcript!				\n				\n							\n						\n				\n					 ShowHide Full Transcript \n							\n			\n			\n		\n\n						\n				\n		\n					\n				\n									IntroductionHi everyone and welcome back to the Homestead Education Podcast. Today I have David Knudsen from Montana Maple Works with me and I am so excited to talk about all things maple syrup. So\, hi David\, how are you today? Doing great. Thanks for asking. So tell us a little bit about you and what you do. Getting Started with Maple SyrupSo I live in Missoula\, Missoula is known as the Garden City. City planners started planting Norway maples back when the city was originally founded. So our tree canopy in Missoula is predominantly maples\, Norway maple to be specific\, which is native to Eastern Europe. There are other maples planted around. The Norways are kind of invasive and so they’ve gotten into all the waterways and irrigation ditches. So it was about 11\, 12 years ago now that I was raking the leaves in front of my house and it was like a spring day\, well late winter\, early spring day. And I was just pondering my thoughts and thinking\, okay\, I know these are maple trees. What kind of maple trees are these? Can we make maple syrup? How do you make maple syrup? Can we make maple syrup here? So after a little research\, I discovered what kind of trees they were. I have one Norway and two Silvers planted in front of my house. And Silver Maples are commonly tapped for syrup. Norways\, not so much\, especially in their native environment\, which I find kind of surprising. So I ordered some equipment\, a simple tapping kit\, 10 spiles with some drop lines attached. I did a bit more research and realized that at that time there were a few more days of weather conducive to a sap flow. You’re looking for days that are above freezing\, ideally in the 40s with sunshine\, and then falling back below freezing\, ideally around 25 or so so that you get enough cold to draw the sap up into the canopy that can then flow the next day. So I put it together\, okay\, I could tap in\, but I’m probably not going to get a lot of sap for that many days. So I held off until the next year. I got a few more trees. The first year I tapped about five trees. Very shortly after I tapped in\, it was about a week to 10 days\, I came out to collect my sap in the afternoon one day and I saw all my equipment was gone. All the taps had been taken out of the tree. So I thought about it for a second. This doesn’t seem like vandalism. Then I realized these are most likely city trees. So I put it together that it was probably the city making a statement. So I followed up and called the forestry department\, not implicating myself\, and asked what they would do in this case. They said they would come in\, take the equipment off\, and try to inform the homeowner that this isn’t allowed. I was waiting for my second child at that time\, so I was definitely home and I never got the in-person contact. In Missoula\, homeowners are responsible for the trees that are in front of their house\, even if they’re not on the property per se. So my brain was like\, okay\, I’m paying to water these trees\, I’m paying to keep the clearance over the street and sidewalk\, I should be able to tap these trees. I didn’t know a tremendous amount other than the research I had done\, but I figured that if people have been making maple syrup for as long as they have\, it doesn’t kill the trees. I mean\, sustainable maple syrup tapping doesn’t damage trees. No. In fact\, there’s a study that was done in Michigan that showed there is possibly the opposite effect. So I was frustrated and I didn’t want to go through channels or go to city council. I made a meeting with my mayor and went directly to the top. He couldn’t have cared less. He didn’t think it was that cool. So I was like\, alright\, this isn’t going to deter me. I just have to find other trees that aren’t street trees. Growing Into a BusinessThe next year I got together about a group of 30 trees. There were some maples in front of my children’s school\, so I started teaching classes that next year\, just sharing the experience. Then 30 trees became 60 trees. In 2018\, I made a goal to try to tap as many trees as I could. Being self-employed and a property manager\, I was able to make the time. Every day after I dropped my kids off at school\, I walked around the neighborhood and connected with homeowners to get access to more trees. By late winter in 2019\, I had 250 trees to tap. I realized I needed the proper evaporating capacity. I put systems in place to efficiently reduce the sap into syrup. I had a great season. I made about 45 gallons that year. I realized I had created a small business without really intending to. Like when you have one business\, then you end up with another. You just go down that slippery slope. Yes\, very true. So I contacted the sanitarian and went through the proper avenues of getting licensed to sell my syrup. That’s when I created Montana Maple Works. The next year I tapped the same amount of trees. Then we had a terrible windstorm and a tree fell in my yard. Through that process\, I learned that property lines in Missoula are not cut and dry. The arborist department determined the tree was more on my property\, so I was responsible. At the same time\, the head forester approached me and said I would be receiving a cease and desist letter for tapping trees on public right-of-way. So I had to shift gears and ensure all the trees I tapped were on private property. I lost a significant number of trees. The next year I was approached by Utah State University. They received a USDA grant to study the feasibility of maple syrup production in the Intermountain West. I became involved as a local expert. Now I’ve tapped up to 400 trees\, taught classes across multiple states\, and shared my expertise. How Tree Tapping WorksSo tell us a little bit about what kind of trees you can tap. Any tree in the Acer family\, any maple tree\, will give you sweet sap. Every tree has a different personality with different sugar levels and flavor profiles. You can also tap black walnut\, birch\, sycamore\, hickory\, and others\, though each has different processes and challenges. So how do you tap a tree? It’s really simple. You need a drill\, a clean drill bit\, and a tap. You drill about one and a half to two inches into the tree and set the tap with a hammer. You can collect sap using buckets\, bags\, or tubing systems. Some trees can produce four to five gallons of sap in a day under ideal conditions. From Sap to SyrupSo how does that translate into syrup? The rough average is 40 to 1. You need about 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. That varies depending on sugar content. Yard trees with open canopies often have higher sugar content than forest trees. Some trees may require 60 to 1 or even 80 to 1 ratios. So how do you boil it down? You simply boil the sap until it reaches about 66–67% sugar concentration. This can be done with basic equipment\, but larger surface areas make the process more efficient. Sap is perishable\, so it needs to be processed quickly to maintain quality. Why This MattersWe’ve talked a lot about homesteading and learning skills. Even if you’re not tapping trees every year\, it’s valuable knowledge. Sugar is something we can’t always easily produce ourselves\, but tapping trees provides an alternative. A lot of people don’t realize these resources are available in their own backyards. It gives you a unique taste of where you are. Like terroir in wine\, the flavor reflects the environment\, the tree\, and the conditions. It’s just another resource that’s available almost anywhere. ClosingWell\, I really appreciate you coming on today and sharing your knowledge because I think this is something that opens people’s eyes. Do you have a website you want to share? Montana mapleworks.com If you want to learn more\, that’s where you can go. Feel free to reach out if you have questions. I love connecting with people and sharing this knowledge. Wonderful\, thank you. Absolutely\, good talking to you. 								\n					\n				\n				\n					\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n							\n					\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					Watch the Episode				\n				\n							\n					\n						\n				\n							\n			\n						\n		\n						\n				\n					You might also enjoy...				\n				\n				\n							\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Creating Homestead Science – Homeschool Curriculum for those who dream of a simpler life			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Continuing Growth and Nurturing Spirit for Rural Families			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 136: What Happens when a Homesteader Gets Invited to DC for National Ag Day			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Episode 123: Should we boycott BoxTops for Education			\n		\n				\n				\n				\n				\n				\n			\n				Veto Your Homeschool
URL:https://www.thehomesteadeducation.com/events/ozarks-homesteading-expo-4/
LOCATION:Ellis O. Jackson Park/Webster County Fairgrounds\, 614 North Marshall Street\, Marshfield\, MO\, United States
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