It's Maple Syrup Season
in Ontario!
First Tapping Maple Trees to Kick Off the Ontario Maple Syrup Season
First Tapping Maple Trees to Kick Off the Ontario Maple Syrup Season
February 25, 2012 – HUNTSVILLE, DEERHURST RESORT
Join the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association (OMSPA) to celebrate the start of the Ontario maple syrup season at the Deerhurst sugarbush (behind Deerhurst Highlands golf clubhouse). Celebrity first tappers will include MP Tony Clement, MPP Norm Miller, Huntsville Mayor Claude Doughty and OMSPA President Ray Bonenberg.
There will be a barbeque hosted by SAVOUR Muskoka, taffy on snow, demonstrations of maple candy making, tours of the sugarhouse and rides to the site of the first tapping. The event will run from 12:00 noon till 2:00 pm with the official tapping at 1:30.
This ceremony signals the start of the first agricultural crop of the year. In Ontario, over 3,000 "sugarmakers" make over 1 million litres of natures’ real sweetener. Ray Bonenberg, President of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association said " the tradition of making maple syrup in Ontario runs deep in most communities. It is also an excellent venue to celebrate spring, reconnect with nature and provide quality time with family"
The OMSPA are celebrating the first tapping as a start to preparations for hosting the provincial annual general meeting set for July12-14 in the Huntsville area. Keynote speakers slated for the morning session on July 13 include researchers on the health and nutritional benefits of maple syrup from the University of Rhode Island and Laval University.
For more information on the first tapping and the upcoming summer event contact:
Bill or Lori Hubbert
(705) 384 7847
bhubbert@vianet.ca
Other Tapping Ceremonies
Simcoe & District
Simcoe & District Maple Syrup Producers Association First Tapping Ceremony.
Saturday February 25, 2012 at 10:00 am
Jack McFadden's Sugar Camp
15766 Hwy 12
Port McNicoll, ON
Haliburton-Kawartha
Haliburton-Kawartha Maple Syrup Producers First Tapping Ceremony.
Saturday March 2, 2012 at 10:30 am
Harlaine Maple Products
The Harder Farm
S1015 Brock Road 1
Sunderland, ON
For more information contact the Harders at 705-357-2140 or Neil Campbell at 705-457-7158
Lanark & District
This year the Lanark and District tapping out party will be hosted by Springdale Farms on Thursday March 15, 2012.
Springdale Farms
1699 Galbraith Rd
Clayton, ON
For all those interested in a fun day out, plan to attend.
Huntsville
Open up this attachment to discover what SAVOUR Muskoka is doing this March! And you are invited!!!
2012 Summer Tour
Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association
Algonquin Local Hosts the 2012 Summer Tour & Annual General Meeting
July 12-14, 2012 in Huntsville, ON
“Tapping into Healthy Markets”
Conference Location & Accommodation
The conference meetings, maple equipment dealers’ trade show, and tour banquet will be held at the Hidden Valley Muskoka Resort. A block of rooms has been reserved until June 1 under the name of “Maple Syrup Producers”. Rooms are $140(hillside)-$160(lakeview)/night and include a hot buffet breakfast daily, indoor & outdoor pools, sauna, tennis courts, exercise room, free use of canoes, kayaks and paddle boats. Call 1-800-465-4171 or 705-789-2301 for reservations. Website: http://www.hvmuskoka.com/ Email: info@hvmuskoka.com. Details on other accommodations can be found at http://www.huntsvillelakeofbays.on.ca.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, July 12
∞ Tour Registration, Syrup Competition Registration 1:00-6:00 p.m.& Trade Show 1:00-9:00 p.m
∞ Provincial Directors’ Meeting
∞ TBD: Value-added workshops in the afternoon; details to be forwarded as they become available.
Friday, July 13
∞ Tour Registration & Syrup Competition Registration 7:00-11:00 a.m.
∞ Trade Show 8:00-11:00 a.m. & 4:00-6:00 p.m.
∞ Speakers: Dr. Navindra Seeram & Dr. Yves Desjardins on the health benefits of maple syrup
∞ Lunch at the G-8 Centre and a ride on the Portage Flyer Steam Train
∞ Sugar Bush Tours & Field Demos: Sweet Muskoka, Mark’s Muskoka Maple, Barmont Syrup Products
∞ Auction, Awards, Banquet and Entertainment
Saturday, July 14
∞ Trade Show
∞ OMSPA Annual General Meeting 8:00-9:30 a.m.
∞ Sugar Bush Tours & Field Demos: Emes Family Maple Syrup, Art Robertson
∞ Lunch, Tour of Sugar Bush & Fruit Farm, Field Demos at Brooklands Farm
Details on Sugar Bush Tours
FRIDAY
Sweet Muskoka
Located at Deerhurst Resort, Brian O’Donoghue manages the syrup-making with 1000 taps on challenging terrain & an oil-fired evaporator.
Mark’s Muskoka Maple
With 3400 taps, vacuum & a wood-fired evaporator, Mark uses check-valve spiles & purchased an RO this year. Mark & Hazel “tap into” the lucrative Muskoka market with several value-added maple products.
Barmont Syrup Products
Brothers Julian & Alfred Monpetit have 800 taps on wet/dry line & vacuum. Despite no electricity, the brothers conduct all aspects of the operation on-site.
SATURDAY
Emes Family Maple Syrup
Jim and his sons, Albert & David, & grandson Ken have 1500 taps on private & Crown land with a mainline under Highway 35!
Windy Acres
Specializing in wildberry- blended maple syrup, Art Robertson is also converting his oil-fired evaporator to use waste vegetable oil obtained from restaurants that purchase his home-grown shitake mushrooms.
Brooklands Farm
Ken & Katya Riley installed several sap ladders in their 1300 tap operation along with wet/dry lines to optimize sap collection. Brooklands Farm also hosts pick-your-own fruit, wedding receptions, and more.
For more information contact Bill & Lori Hubbert at (705)384-7847 or email: bhubbert@vianet.ca
Registration form
Summer Tour Poster
Explore this site for more information on maple syrup production, maple syrup recipes and maple syrup producers near you!
