State of Maple

Presented as part of our 2022 Watching the Seasons Change Event Series. This project is supported in part by a grant from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts & the National Endowment for the Arts.

Join MWM for a panel discussion on the State of Maple in New Hampshire, today and in the future. Panelists include: Steve Roberge, UNH Cooperative Extension’s Specialist in Forest Resources for the state, and a NH licensed forester and sugarmaker; Ben Farina, Forest Silviculturist on the White Mountain National Forest; and Dave Fuller, owner of Fuller’s Sugar House in Lancaster, whose syrup has been judged best in NH, and also best in North America. 

Free and open to all. Presented via Zoom and in person at the Museum of the White Mountains. If you are attending virtually, pre-registration is required. Click here for the Zoom registration link.

About the Panelists: 

Steve Roberge, Extension Forestry Specialist & Professor, UNH Cooperative Extension 

Steve is a NH licensed forester and sugarmaker.  Growing up in Berlin NH, Steve developed a strong connection to the Great North Woods, the working forests and the people earned their living outside in the forest. He worked for UNH Cooperative Extension for 14 years as a County Extension Forester and Maple Specialist. Today Steve is UNH Cooperative Extension’s Specialist in Forest Resources for the state, overseeing the County Extension Forester program and still serving as the NH’s Maple Specialist.  He earned a B.S. in Forest Science from the University of New Hampshire and a Masters of Forest Science from Yale University. At home, Steve tends to his maple trees that he & his family tap every spring. 

Ben Farina, Forest Silviculturist (detailing) 

My name is Ben Farina and I am currently serving the role as Forest Silviculturist on the White Mountain National Forest. I bring along 11 years of experience in silviculture and a Forestry Degree from the University of New Hampshire. I am a lifelong resident of the Plymouth area and enjoy coaching baseball and basketball at Plymouth High School in my spare time. 

Dave Fuller, owner of Fuller’s Sugar House 

I have been involved in maple most of my life. I built my first sugarhouse when I was 17. Next season will be my 50th season. I started with 200 buckets and now have 26000 trees tapped using all tubing. I have a state of the art modern sugarhouse. Over the years my syrup has been judged best in NH, and also best in North America. https://www.fullerssugarhouse.com 

Sarah Stanley, Moderator 

Sarah joined NFF in December 2021. She is an 11th generation Mainer and moved to the White Mountains this winter. As the New England Program Manager at National Forest Foundation, focusing on the White Mountains. Prior to working with NFF, Sarah served for 3 years as the Executive Director of the Kennebunk Land Trust (KLT). 

She is a Registered Maine Guide, is CPR and Wilderness First Aid Certified, and holds a private pilot’s license with a sea plane rating. Sarah serves as a member of the Maine Audubon Board of Trustees. She earned her B.A in Environmental Studies & Politics from Bates College and a M.S in Environmental Studies & Sustainability from Unity College. 

Sarah joined NFF in December 2021. She is an 11th generation Mainer and moved to the White Mountains this winter. As the New England Program Manager at National Forest Foundation, focusing on the White Mountains. Prior to working with NFF, Sarah served for 3 years as the Executive Director of the Kennebunk Land Trust (KLT). 

She is a Registered Maine Guide, is CPR and Wilderness First Aid Certified, and holds a private pilot’s license with a sea plane rating. Sarah serves as a member of the Maine Audubon Board of Trustees. She earned her B.A in Environmental Studies & Politics from Bates College and a M.S in Environmental Studies & Sustainability from Unity College.