UNCOMMON GARDEN: Our look at the unique things growing in our neck of the Garden State.
Now in its sixth year, the Stockton Maple Project continues to grow, not just in how much maple syrup it produces, but in how it involves Stockton University students in the process.
The project recently received a $273,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Acer Access and Development program, and a portion of that funding strengthens student research and involvement.
“The program supports projects that strengthen the domestic maple syrup industry through research, education, natural resource sustainability, marketing and maple-sugaring activities,” said Mariam Majd, Stockton associate professor of Economics, who explained that Acer is the Latin name for the maple tree genus.
Majd said the project has supported dozens of students working in Stockton’s maple grove — just off Vera King Farris Drive on campus — to tap trees, collect sap, and help bottle and label the syrup. Students have also been hired through the grant to promote the project and help with educational and community engagement efforts. There are also several active student research projects that the grant helps fund.
“The research components of our grants are especially important because they allow us not only to advance the maple industry but also to mentor Stockton students in the research process,” Majd said.
Junior Kiera Liu has helped promote Stockton’s maple syrup since before her first year and the latest grant has allowed the project to hire her as a social media coordinator. She’s created several videos and posts on Instagram promoting the project and coordinated events for the community, such as the recent Maple Syrup Workshop and Tree Tapping held on campus last month.
Future events include a Maple Boil on Sat., Feb. 28 (rescheduled from Feb. 21) at Batsto Village in Hammonton.
“I think it’s something unique. It’s so cool when people come here and have a taste of our syrup to see what we make right here at Stockton,” said the Galloway resident and Sustainability major with a concentration in policy. “Sustainability is that perfect combination of business and science. It isn’t just about buying something green. It’s about making something new from something that you already have a reality. That’s what the Stockton Maple Project is doing.”
