Making maple syrup is a family tradition that spans generations and is a staple here in the northern Northeast. Many maple operations are looking to scale up or improve their operations, but these changes can be costly by often requiring more fuel and larger equipment.

Start off by learning about efficient sugaring systems that will save boiling time and fuel, and about federal and local funding opportunities that helps make these upgrades more feasible for producers.

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We will be exploring Stuart and John’s sugaring operation and equipment upgrades, learn from Sam Bascom of Bascom Maple Farms about alternative maple systems and fuel use, and hear from folks at the local Conservation District and USDA-NRCS office about financial and technical assistance options available to you. There will be space throughout to have questions answered.

This event is a good fit for maple producers and homesteaders looking to scale up and grow energy efficiency on their operation.

Please register ahead of the event. If you require assistance or have questions, please contact Matt at [email protected] or call 603-756-9282.

About Stuart and John’s Sugar House:

The first Stuart & John’s Sugar House was built in the fall of 1974, when Stuart Adams and John Matthews decided to buy their own oil-fired evaporator and start a sugaring operation. At the time, Stuart was in the eighth grade, and John was in the tenth grade, and they had been best friends for years growing up in Westmoreland, NH. hey started with 920 taps, and made 230 gallons of Pure New Hampshire Maple Syrup. Several changes to the operation have been made since those early days. They changed to a wood-fired evaporator for many years before once again returning to oil. They purchased a reverse osmosis machine in 1986 to take out the majority of water (approximately 75% under high pressure). Now, they have approximately 10,000 taps, and produce 2,500 gallons of syrup each year.

This workshop is a partnership between the Cheshire County Conservation District, Bascom Maple Farms, the US Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH), and Stuart and John’s Sugar House.

Funding for this program is provided by the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) with NOFA-NH and the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider and lender.