Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club Experiences Maple Syrup Season

The annual cycle of freezing nights and thawing days brings one of nature’s sweetest rewards—maple syrup. Members of the Benjamin Logan Environmental Science Club (ESC) recently experienced the process firsthand during a visit to the farm of Bruce and Jodie Kavanagh, where they collected sap, watched syrup production, and enjoyed the final product.

According to WorldAtlas, Ohio ranks eighth in maple syrup production, producing approximately 65,000 gallons annually, just behind Michigan’s 82,000 gallons. For the students visiting the Kavanagh farm, the experience offered a hands-on look at how that syrup is made.

The trip began in the woods, where ESC members learned how maple trees are tapped and how weather conditions affect sap flow. While hard maple trees produce the highest sugar content, several maple species—and even some other trees—can be tapped for sap. Students then assisted with collecting sap from the trees.

The next stop was the sugar shack, where a wood-fired evaporator converts sap into syrup. It takes 40 to 50 gallons of sap to produce just one gallon of maple syrup, a process that requires careful monitoring of temperature and sugar concentration. The students learned how favorable weather, heat energy, and hours of labor all contribute to producing the golden syrup.

After learning about the science and work behind syrup production, students enjoyed the reward. In the Kavanaghs’ garage, Mrs. Kavanagh, assisted by Cindy Tremains and Lois Stoll, kept a steady stream of pancakes coming off the griddle for the hungry Environmental Science Club members and their teachers.

The Environmental Science Club is a cooperative program between the Logan County Land Trust and the Benjamin Logan School District. Support from community members such as the Kavanaghs helps make the program’s outdoor learning experiences possible.

More information about the Logan County Land Trust is available at logancountylandtrust.org.