Designing and operating natural vacuum SAP collection systems a user manual for 316INCH diameter tubing will research create and test a users manual specific to natural vacuum SAP collection systems

Future generations university and its partners will then conduct an extension program in the use of the manual. The purpose is to create the muchneeded natural vacuum corollary to the cornell university new york state tubing notebook which primarily addresses 516INCH tubing systems using artificial vacuum. Future generations university will work with both west virginia university and west virginia state university to conduct the needed technical and field research to test and write this best practice manual. Research will be conducted on the engineering of natural and hybrid vacuum systems utilizing 316INCH tubing. Sanitation studies will also be conducted on 316INCH tubing to determine effective practices for preserving tubing longevity. Lastly labbased analysis on microbial growth will be used to test and validate fieldbased sanitation studies. Extension of research findings will reach approximately 500 maple syrup producers who are using natural vacuum SAP collection systems in mountainous regions of appalachia and new england. Individual study research reports will be presented at regional and national gatherings of maple syrup researchers and producers throughout the project period. During the final year of the project education activities will center on increasing adoption and use of the natural vacuum manual through regional workshops and national online extension. Approximately 250 producers in west virginia maryland virginia and pennsylvania are expected to adopt improved tubing and sanitation methods.