Vermont Public Television will be airing "VPT Cooks:Maple Time" on March 8 from 2:00-4:00pm., and again March 9 noon to 2:00pm and March 12 from 9:00-11:00 pm. The show will have chefs and sugarmakers cooking some of their favorite maple recipes.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Changing Weather Patterns Concern Maple Syrup Producers
Changing weather patterns concern and challenge maple syrup producers; Eastern Ontario temperatures to rise about two degrees by 2045
Posted By Jenn Watt
Posted February 1, 2008
Posted By Jenn Watt
Posted February 1, 2008
The Lindsay Post
Maple syrup producers have a lot more to worry about than if the weather cooperates or if the syrup colour stays consistent; global warming and invasive plant species threaten the sugar bushes they harvest from and pose longer-lasting, more challenging dilemmas.
The Haliburton-Kawartha Maple Syrup Producers Association heard presentations from Barb Boysen and Eleanor Reed on both pressing concerns at its annual general meeting in Buckhorn last Friday.
Changing weather patterns due to global warming will increase temperatures in Eastern Ontario by about 2øC by 2045, Boysen told the group.
While that may not seem like big shift, in the maple syrup business, trees aren't good for sap until they are 40 to 50 years old, which makes long-term planning a must.
"As maple syrup producers, you know there is so much that can go wrong in your bush from climate, to different insects, different plants, different weather from year to year.
Climate change: just view it as the newest, biggest, bully on the block," said Boysen, who is a forest genetics specialist based at Peterborough's Forest Gene Conservation Association.
As global temperatures increase, the area suitable for maple syrup production moves further north, she said. So, when producers look at planting saplings in their sugar bushes, they should look to regions with temperatures similar to what Haliburton's will be in 40 years to find seeds.
"If you're doing any kind of planting and you want to introduce a new species to an old, abandoned farm, you would want to make sure that you were getting from your local nursery the right population. You would hope you didn't get seeds from further south or further north because there are populations of different species that are genetically programmed to act differently," Boysen said. She also distributed a report from Environment Canada outlining many challenges to syrup production as Ontario warms up.
"Atmospheric Influences on the Sugar Maple Industry in North America," by Don MacIver et al points out that over the past 50 years maple syrup production has moved from the United States to Canada due to rising temperatures.
"Fifty years ago the United States, primarily New England and New York, used to account for 80 per cent of the international maple syrup production, with 20 per cent in Canada, but today that trend is completely reversed," it reads.
Canada is now the largest producer of maple syrup in the world with "$155 million in production value in 2002."
"Climate parameters that impact maple syrup production include temperature, precipitation (timing, amount and acidity), snow cover and atmospheric carbon dioxide and ozone concentrations," the paper says.
"Climate parameters that impact maple syrup production include temperature, precipitation (timing, amount and acidity), snow cover and atmospheric carbon dioxide and ozone concentrations," the paper says.
In order for sap to flow - usually beginning in early March in the Kawartha-Haliburton region - the overnight temperature must be below freezing and the daytime temperature must be above freezing. Ideally, -5øC at night and 5øC in the day. The warmer it gets, the lower the quality and quantity of syrup.
"Preliminary data for Ontario shows that in 1960 the first date of maple syrup production, known as boil date, was March 24, but by 2002 this date had advanced to March 7," the paper says.
Further, syrup can be affected by summer droughts and mid-winter thaws. The drier the summer and fall, the poorer the sap. If the leaves drop prematurely, the starch they store is reduced. This starch is what produces the sap in the spring.
"Understanding, conserving and managing sugar bushes is more important than ever," Boysen said.
As if that wasn't enough to worry about, Eleanor Reed warned syrup producers of three invasive plant species that threaten their forests: garlic mustard, common buckthorn and dog-strangling vine.
"We could be more vulnerable because generally our sugar bushes are monocultures. Any time you have a monoculture, if there's an invasion of insect or disease, invasive plant or animal, you could have catastrophe in your forest," Reed said.
The three plants Reed told the group about are dangerous because they are aggressive and take over the floor of the forest, pushing out other plants and including maple seedlings.
There is also good reason to expect that if they're not already in our forests, they soon will be.
"[Dog-strangling vine] is in the Orono forest. If you drive through there when the seed is flying it's like driving through a snowstorm," Reed said.
"[Dog-strangling vine] is in the Orono forest. If you drive through there when the seed is flying it's like driving through a snowstorm," Reed said.
She also told the group about seeing a forest entirely taken over by common buckthorn, so thick that her children couldn't get through it.
"The good news is your sugar bush could be less vulnerable because you're there inspecting it regularly," she said. Reed advised producers to pull up the invasive species on first sight, unless it has already spread and then herbicide is necessary.
"Our sugar bush is highly valued by us because it's a moneymaker, sure, but we also love our sugar bush. We love it and we want to protect it."
The all-day conference included a speech by Neil Campbell on land trusts (a way to secure historically or ecologically special land from development for hundreds of years), a presentation by the president of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association, and a trade show with equipment and maple product displays.
Optimist Maple Syrup Festival Opens March 29
Optimist Maple Syrup festival opens March 29
Orangeville Citzen (Canada)
February 7, 2008The 2008 Orangeville Optimist Maple Syrup Festival will be held Saturday, March 29 and Sunday March 30 at the Island Lake Conservation Area.
This event is the Optimist Club of Orangeville's "Rite of Spring" - the first taste of warmth for the year and a chance to get outdoors again for many people around Orangeville. For the admission price, those attending receive park admission for the day, a pancake breakfast, a guided tour of the sugar bush with demonstrations on how maple syrup was made in the past an how it is made today and live entertainment.
There'll be fun with the family, fresh air, sunshine (hopefully!) and a plate of hot pancakes and Maple Syrup are highlights. Kids can taste fresh syrup and take a wagon ride. There'll also be live entertainers and lots of things to do. Syrup, other food and snacks will be available for sale.
The club also plans to hold the Optimist Kid's Bike Roadeo on Saturday, May 24, at the Tony Rose arena, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Local schools will get to face off against each other at the annual Roadeo to see what school is the champion. The whole day starts with a bike parade across town from the Town Hall to the arena. To prepare for the day, many local schools hold internal competitions to see who their best riders are.
The club also plans to hold the Optimist Kid's Bike Roadeo on Saturday, May 24, at the Tony Rose arena, 8:30 a.m. to noon. Local schools will get to face off against each other at the annual Roadeo to see what school is the champion. The whole day starts with a bike parade across town from the Town Hall to the arena. To prepare for the day, many local schools hold internal competitions to see who their best riders are.
Results in exercises on traffic safety knowledge, bike condition and riding ability determine each school's final team. Then the teams face off against each other at the Roadeo. At the end of the competition, the school with highest score wins.
There are lots of prizes and snacks for the kids. This exercise helps kids to learn about safety and teamwork. Orangeville Police provide bike inspections to ensure kids' bikes are safe.
The Optimist Million Dollar Hole in One is planned for July 2 - 6, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Johnson Controls on CLine, Orangeville.
The Optimist Million Dollar Hole in One is planned for July 2 - 6, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Johnson Controls on CLine, Orangeville.
The Optimist Club of Orangeville is a "Friend of Youth." Most of the club's energy and activities are directed toward mentoring youth and local youth projects. The Million Dollar Hole in One is the club's key annual fundraiser and provides the club with the funds to provide their community services. Golfers can have some fun, practise their favourite sport and help out their community.
The Club uses the proceeds to fund all of its activities through-out the year including big events like Christmas in the Park, Breakfast with Santa, the Kids' Bike Roadeo, Jackrabbits Cross Country Ski School and local youth projects in need. There is also a Youth competition. Grab your clubs and a little cash, get some exercise and help out your community.
Lewis County considers syrup distribution center
Lewis County considers syrup distribution center
Updated: 02/09/2008 11:16 AM
By: Web Staff
News 10 Now
LEWIS COUNTY, N.Y. -- You may not have to travel all the way to northern New York to get some of their tasty maple syrup. It could be headed to a supermarket near you.
A proposal from North Country agricultural officials would establish a packaging and large-scale distribution center for syrup in Lewis County. The processing facility would make New York syrup more competitive with Vermont, New Hampshire, and Canada, where distribution centers already exist. Lewis County is the largest producer of maple syrup in the state.
"This is a chance for New York State to have one location, working with all the New York State maple producers to have one location where you could order large quantities of maple syrup. It wouldn't take away from the retail markets for maple syrup, there is interest in increasing the maple syrup production in New York State and this would be able to take on the additional maple syrup that is produced," said Michele Ledoux with the Lewis County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
The Lewis County Maple Producers Association will discuss the proposal at a meeting Saturday.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Sugarbush Spring chosen by NY Ag in the Classroom
The NY Ag in the Classroom book committee is thrilled to announce "Sugarbush Spring"by Marsha Wilson with illustrations by Jim Daly as the selection for Ag Literacy Day to be held April 8th, 2008.
Chall's timeless storyand Daly's glowing paintings invite children to share in the pleasureof making maple syrup, a process that is the same today as it was twohundred years ago. The book should be well received. With good teamwork among NYAITC, NYSMPA, NY Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension,Agway Foundation, volunteer readers, and teachers; the 2008 effort is expected to surpass last year's success.
In 2007 more than 1150 books were distributed and over 35,000 students across the state heard the Lily's story in"Lily's Garden" by Deborah Kogan Ray.
Maple Weekend 2008 New York State
Saturday and Sunday, March 29-3010am-4pm
Save the date! Approximately 110 maple producers from across New York State (more than 40 in Western New York) will open their sugarhouses to allow visitors to see how maple syrup and other maple products are made. Come see all aspects of maple making, from the tapping of the trees to get the sap, to the boiling of the sap into syrup. Some producers will also demonstrate the making of maple syrup into other products including maple cream, maple cotton candy and maple sugar. Most sugarhouses will allow people to sample the products.A map and listing of participating producers will be available soon.
Save the date! Approximately 110 maple producers from across New York State (more than 40 in Western New York) will open their sugarhouses to allow visitors to see how maple syrup and other maple products are made. Come see all aspects of maple making, from the tapping of the trees to get the sap, to the boiling of the sap into syrup. Some producers will also demonstrate the making of maple syrup into other products including maple cream, maple cotton candy and maple sugar. Most sugarhouses will allow people to sample the products.A map and listing of participating producers will be available soon.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Maple Holiday Ideas
Here's a fun gift list for maple lovers:
Maple Coated Nuts
Remsburger Maple Farm & Apiary
756 Traver Road
Pleasant Valley, NY 12569
845-635-9168
20 Piece Maple Sugar Candy bag
PiecesOfVermont.com
Owned & operated byRES eCom, Inc.
Owned & operated byRES eCom, Inc.
PO Box 578
Jacksonville, VT 05342
800-507-7721
Maple Leaf Maple Candy Lollipops
CandyWarehouse.com, Inc.
5314 Third Street
Irwindale, CA 91706-2060
Tel: 626-480-0899
Fax: 626-480-0818
5314 Third Street
Irwindale, CA 91706-2060
Tel: 626-480-0899
Fax: 626-480-0818
And of course.....
Hudson-Chatham Winery
1900 Route 66
Ghent, NY 10016
518 392 WINE
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