Name: 2025 PA Cider Symposium
Start: 2025-11-18T09:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-11-18T17:00:00-05:00
Location: Erie Room, Crossroads Conference Center at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center

Join cider makers, fruit growers, researchers, and businesses as we share knowledge and spark collaboration to grow the PA cider industry.
About this Event

Made possible by the Strategic Networks & Initiatives Program (SNIP) Launch Grant, this landmark event unites cider makers, agricultural producers, researchers, and businesses to share knowledge, spark collaboration, and explore the unique opportunities and challenges in Pennsylvania's cider industry. Cider industry professionals and cider enthusiasts are all welcome.

Speakers and presenters include Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, New York Cider Association Executive Director Scott Ramsey, Pennsylvania State University's Dr. Troy Ott, Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, and Dr. Shan Kumar, who will Emcee the event, among many others.

Agenda

🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration & Coffee

Info: Check in for the event, complete your name tag, and enjoy complimentary coffee and light refreshments.

🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Welcome Address
Host: Dr. Shan Kumar, Pennsylvania State University

Info: Hear from cider industry leaders and supporters as we set the stage for our day together.

🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:45 AM
The Pennsylvania Cider Industry
Host: Ben Wenk, PA Cider Guild President
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:30 AM
Growing a Cider Economy: Lessons from New York
Host: Scott Ramsey, Cider Assc. of New York

Info: Deep dive into how New York’s cider-making community—boosted by policymakers and industry leaders—crafted a fertile environment for cider’s resurgence.

🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Break
🕑: 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Research Session I: Cider Apple Production
Host: Dr. Shan Kumar, Pennsylvania State University

Info: PRSENTATION #1: Cider apple orchard design considerations with Dr. Gregory Peck, Cornell University | PRESENTATION #2: Cider apple varieties for PA and topworking cider varieties with Dr. Shan Kumar, Pennsylvania State University | PRESENTATION #3: Harvest and post-harvest management of cider apples with Dr. Gregory Peck, Cornell University

🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:00 PM
Networking Lunch

Info: Share a meal and forge new connections with growers, researchers, cider markers and industry leaders. Posters will be open for viewing.

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Research Session II: Fermentation & Cider Making
Host: Chris Gerling, Cornell University

Info: PRESENTATION #1: Low-ABV and low-calorie cider with Chris Gerling, Cornell University | PRESENTATION #2: Tannins and mouthfeel in hard cider with Dr. Misha Kwasniewski, Pennsylvania State University, featuring a cider and cheese pairing with PA Cider Guild President Ben Wenk; bring your favorite cider (or two) to share! | PRESENTATION #3: Common issues in hard cider fermentation, Case studies and Q&A

🕑: 02:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Research Session III: Consumer Trends & Marketing
Host: Dr. Kathy Kelley, Pennsylvania State University

Info: PRESENTATION #1: Mid-atlantic cider consumers: landscape of change with Dr. Kathy Kelley, Pennsylvania State University | PRESENTATION #2: Increasing footfall in orchard cideries through agritourism with Dr. Claudia Schmidt, Pennsylvania State University | PRESENTATION #3: Producer Panel on Marketing

🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Cider Tasing, Networking, and Poster Sessions

Info: Sample a selection of hard ciders from producers across the Commonwealth and walk through student and collaborator posters on cider-related research.