ALBANY — The NYS Maple Foundation’s Terry Laubisch Maple Scholarship returns for 2019. All applications for the scholarship must be postmarked by March 15th. Any high school senior with a connection to a NYS maple operation (either as a family member or employee) and is planning to attend a two or four year college beginning in fall 2019, should consider applying.
Applications and guidelines are available on request from Mary Jeanne Packer (518-854-7669) or via download at www.newyorkmaple.org.
The annual scholarship was established in 2016 in memory of Terry Laubisch, and provides $500 each to three different winners. “Terry was very passionate about promoting maple syrup and getting youth involved in the industry,” said Dave Campbell, Vice President of the NYS Maple Foundation. “We thought this was a fitting way to honor his memory. He’d be proud to see the quality of youth that are applying for this scholarship.” Funds from the scholarship are payable after the first semester of freshman year for winners.
Winners of the 2018 Scholarship include KristiAnn Frank of Verona, NY, Makayla Spicer of Marcellus, NY, and Alex Birchmore of Granville, NY. “Applicants come from all across the state,” said Campbell. “And the operations that these youths are coming from range from small hobbyist setups to businesses with more than 2,000 taps. But they all have the same passion for maple syrup, regardless of the size operation they come from.”
The New York State Maple Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Its mission is to plan and coordinate training for maple producers so they can increase their efficiency and competitiveness, and to identify and support maple-related research. The foundation also works to inform and educate the public of the diversity and quality of the state’s maple products, of how the industry has changed in NYS throughout the years and the environmental sensitivity needed to maintain a healthy sugar bush during maple production.
Funding for Foundation programs, including the Laubisch Scholarship, comes from donations made to the Foundation when producers purchase Taste the Tradition™ branded maple syrup jugs available through local maple sugaring supply dealers and produced by Sugarhill Container for the NYS Maple Foundation.
–New York State Maple Foundation
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