Scott Weikert

About

Scott Weikert is a leading forestry educator with Penn State Extension, serving Forest County, Pennsylvania, and surrounding areas with a strong focus on woodland management, maple syrup production, and natural resource education. Based out of the Extension office in Tionesta, Scott brings over 25 years of experience in forestry and wood products, including nine years in the hardwood industry, and holds advanced degrees in Forest Technology, Wood Products, and Forest Biomaterials. Since joining Penn State Extension in 2006, he has become a trusted figure in helping private landowners, forest professionals, and community members better understand sustainable forest use and value-added products like maple syrup.

One of Scott’s most impactful contributions is his leadership in maple syrup education across northwest Pennsylvania. He regularly hosts workshops titled “Getting Started in Maple Syrup”, designed to guide beginners through the entire maple sugaring process—from identifying tappable trees and using proper tapping tools to collecting sap and boiling it down into syrup. These hands-on sessions, often held in communities like Cook Forest and Coudersport, make maple production accessible to hobbyists and small-scale producers alike. Scott emphasizes the importance of forest health and proper tree care in syrup production, often connecting the practice to broader themes of woodland stewardship and economic opportunity for rural landowners.

In addition to in-person programming, Scott has helped pioneer online maple syrup education, allowing more people across Pennsylvania to learn how to tap into this traditional, sustainable craft. His teachings not only help preserve the cultural heritage of maple sugaring in the region, but also empower new producers to explore it as a viable cottage industry. Whether he’s demonstrating proper tapping depth or explaining the chemistry of syrup density, Scott’s approachable, research-based style has made him a key figure in Pennsylvania’s maple syrup education and forest outreach efforts.

Phone: (814) 560-4194
Email: sjw128@psu.edu