Visitors are invited to take a tour at our local sugar bushes in celebration of maple syrup production to see how that clear, thin sap is transformed into that thick, rich, sweet confection.
Producers will share their secrets, some samples, grading techniques and, weather permitting, a walk through their sugar bush. Wear your boots!
From traditional wood-burning stoves to modern, sophisticated reverse osmosis and gleaming stainless steel boilers, each producer has their own process, but methods result in that delicious treat. Producers are eager to share new ways to use this farm product beyond pancakes in recipes both sweet and savoury, including baking, roasting, sauces and vinaigrettes.
You might not see sap running this weekend as the warm February weather launched an unusually early season for syrup producers. The season usually runs for six weeks beginning in March and into April. Last year, production was significantly below normal due to cold weather, but this year warm weather was the issue. Some producers shut down their sap collection last month because sap had stopped running, while others have faced a slow, steady drip. All expect another low production season.
The following are local tour participants: J and K Sugar Shack 3804 Challice Line; Johnston’s Farm Market 10704 County Rd. 28; Bailieboro; Puddleduck Farm, 476 County Rd. 10, Millbrook; Red Mill Maple Syrup 1232 Deyell Line; Staples Maple Syrup, 403 Hwy 7A, Cavan; Sweet Maple Farm 10010 Powerline Rd., Millbrook; and Woodleigh Farms, 528 Sharpe Line, Cavan, and Clancey & Gayle’s Maple Products at 542 Waite Rd. in Pontypool. There are also pancake breakfasts planned for Saturday morning. The Legion is hosting an event from 9 to 11:30 am while the Kawartha Pony Club will be serving up pancakes at Woodleigh Farm at 528 Sharpe Line from 9 am to 2pm.
Plan your visit by checking out the locations on the Ontario Maple Producers website at www.ontariomaple.com, as some are open both days while others are open only on Sunday and some request you reserve a spot in advance. Admission is free, but you might want to bring some cash to purchase some products or sample some of it on freshly-baked pancakes and waffles. KG
