ALBANY — The deadline is March 15 for the 2018 New York state Maple Foundation’s Terry Laubish Maple Scholarship program.
Any high school senior with a connection to a state maple operation—either as a family member or employee—who is planning to attend a two- or four-year college in the fall 2018 may apply.
Applications and guidelines are available on request from Mary Jeanne Packer at (518) 854-7669 or via download at ww.newyorkmaple.org.
The annual scholarship, established in 2016 in memory of Terry Laubish, provides $250 per student. The scholarship is payable after the first semester of freshman year for winners. “Terry was a strong advocate for the high-visibility statewide Maple Weekend promotion and for the syrup judging contest and other educational activities at the New York State Fair,” said Mike Hill, president of the foundation.
“As a result of Terry’s tireless enthusiasm for communicating about the maple industry, public awareness and support for maple production in New York has been greatly improved.”
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 the state throughout the years and the environmental sensitivity needed to maintain a healthy sugar bush during maple production.
Funding for foundation programs, including the Laubish Scholarship, comes from donations made to the foundation when producers purchase Taste the Tradition one-quarter branded maple syrup jugs available through local maple sugaring supply dealers and produced by Sugarhill Container for the state Maple Foundation.
