ALBANY — New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball joined the Upper Hudson Maple Producers Association for the ceremonial first maple tapping of the season at Brower Road Sugarhouse, a NYS Grown & Certified maple producer, to promote the New York maple industry and encourage New Yorkers to support local maple producers this season.
The event also marked the kickoff to New York’s Maple Weekends events and activities, which are taking place March 19-20 and 26-27, along with other special events and promotions throughout the month of March.
Commissioner Ball said: “Maple season is underway, and the sap is already flowing in many parts of the state. This is the perfect time to visit a local NYS Grown & Certified maple producer, find out more about the syrup-making process, and enjoy some of New York’s sweetest crop. New York’s maple industry contributes tremendously to our local communities and economies, and I encourage everyone to support our maple businesses and participate in Maple Weekends this year.”
Commissioner Ball visited Brower Road Sugarhouse in Gloversville, Fulton County for an annual maple tree tapping to highlight New York’s maple industry and the maple producers participating in the New York State Grown & Certified program.
More than 75 maple producers participate in NYS Grown & Certified, which verifies New York’s agricultural producers and growers who adhere to food safety and environmental sustainability standards.
Find a current list of maple producers who are a part of the NYS Grown & Certified program at https://certified.ny.gov/wheretobuy.
Jim Deming, Co-owner of Brower Road Sugarhouse, said: “We are pleased to be able to host this event, after the struggles everyone has faced over the past two years due to COVID-19. The maple trees are running and syrup is being made all over New York State. Come join the celebration of spring!”
Throughout March, maple farms across the state are opening their doors to the public to offer tours and pancake breakfasts, sell maple products, and demonstrate the syrup-making process, which includes the traditional system of hanging buckets on trees or more modern methods of production using vacuum systems to increase the yield of sap per tree.
Maple Weekends will take place at more than 140 maple farms and museums, boosting agri-tourism across New York State. A searchable list of Maple Weekend events is available at https://mapleweekend.nysmaple.com/.
New York State’s Taste NY markets across the state are offering sampling through a special Maple Madness promotion all month long. Stop by participating markets, sample different products, and fill in a bracket to vote for your favorite New York maple product. Find a list of markets at taste.ny.gov.
New Yorkers can also shop for New York State maple from home on shoptasteny.com. Save 10% on orders during March with the code “MapleMadness”.
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