Sap is Running and a Special Visit
The sap is running! With the burst of warm weather, we started gathering sap and making syrup on March 8th. It’s a nervous time turning on all the equipment which has been sitting idle for a year. Thankfully, everything worked smoothly and it’s all systems go! Good thing because the sap ran day and night until freeze up on March 11.
The sap we gathered had low sugar content, typical of the very first runs as the trees are partially frozen and have not started to move a lot of liquid from their roots. We made several nice batches of amber grade with a lovely early season flavour. It’s a treat to enjoy the first fresh syrup each year.
We had some special guests on Monday when the Ontario Minister of Agriculture Food and Agribusiness, the Honourable Trevor Jones, visited us along with our MPP John Jordan, Lanark County Warden Richard Kidd and Christa Lowry, the Mayor of Mississippi Mills.
The Minister recognizes the importance of the maple syrup industry and was particularly interested in the technology used to make quality maple syrup and learning how maple farms attract and engage visitors in the maple experience. Minister Jones toured the farm, tapped his first maple tree, and the group joined our family for a delicious maple luncheon compliments of the fabulous Temple’s buffet – all with plenty of fresh maple syrup! We are grateful for the support that OMAFA, our County and Municipalities provide to the maple industry!
Our farm is now open daily from 10 to 4 and we have lots of fresh syrup available. The Kettle Boys and Shantymen will be here Friday through Sunday starting March 14th. If you are coming to visit the farm, please wear outdoor clothing and waterproof footwear. We look forward to seeing you.
PHOTO (Clockwise from bottom left): Granddaughter Alice Walker, MPP John Jordan, Lanark County Warden Richard Kidd, Mayor of Mississippi Mills Christa Lowry, standing Barbara Boysen, Grandson Angus Walker, the Honourable Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, and Miriam Leardi from the Minister’s office.