Mapleohio 2015 final web

Maple Ohio Vol. 1–No. 1

®

Magazine

2015

Ohio Maple Producers Association

n Cover photo is Dolce’s Sugar House, stop #38 in Richland County

March 14, 15, 21, 22, 2015

Maple Madness Driving Tour Visit selected maple sugaring operations across Ohio open to the public

Page 2

A great family day in the country, learning where pure maple syrup comes from!

Dress for the weather Boots and outerwear a must!

Most are free Look for the signs.

10am – 5pm unless otherwise noted.

Visit: www.ohiomaple.org or call 440-834-1415

Maple Ohio Magazine March 2015

Vol. 1 _ No. 1

Funded by the USDA 2014 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Ohio Maple Producers Assoc.

P.O. Box 1100 Burton, OH 44021 440-834-1415 Editor: Terse L. Volkmann volkmann@simcon.com Contributing writer: Les Ober, Geauga OSU Extension Advertising: Nate Bissell nate@bissellmaplefarms.com Publisher: Fontanelle Group, inc 440-834-8900 admin@fontanellegroup.com Layout and graphic design: Barb Fontanelle No portion of this publication maybe reproduced without the written consent from the Fontanelle Group, inc or Terese L. Volkmann. All text and photos are protected by copyright

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Welcome to the 2015 Ohio Maple Season... and the new MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE Welcome to the 2015 Ohio Maple Season – and the new MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE. The purpose of this publication is to share the wonderful sweet maple story.

Maple syrup can successfully be made in only a small part of the entire world, around the Great Lakes and eastern Canada. It is in this area that the maple tree, geology, climate and soils combine to allow this amazing process. The unpleasant springs that seem never to come allows for the warm days and cold nights so the sap can rise and fall in the tree and be collected in sufficient quantity to make maple syrup.

It takes about 40 to 50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of pure maple syrup.

Ohio sits in the heart of this sweet region. Maple syrup is made in 66 of Ohio’s 88 counties with the largest concentration in the northeast section of the state.

Maple syrup is a true American food. The Native Americans somehow discovered that the clear sap could add a sweet flavoring to their food.

They also discovered that when maple sugar is mixed with corn it was an excellent food. Warriors would fill pouches with it and then eat handfuls of it to provide the needed energy for battle.

When the first settlers arrived in the New England area the Native people shared their maple experience. That provided the needed sugar for food and energy. With the western migration maple trees were found everywhere. The settlers then used those maple skills to make syrup and sugar, some of which was used for bartering and survival.

For many years, maple was the only sweetener available to settlers since white sugar was not MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

accessible. It was used in trade and even to eventually protest slavery.

The basic process of making maple syrup has changed little over the centuries. Trees are still tapped, the clear sap collected and then boiled until most of the water is removed and it becomes syrup. The Native Americans used hollowed out tree logs and put hot rocks in to make it boil and become sugar. Early settlers used large iron pots to boil the sap to remove the water. It was done outdoors in the woods, open to the weather.

In time the evaporator was created. This is a unique cooking piece that allows for the sap to reduce to syrup in a more effective manner.

Now roofs had to cover the equipment to protect it and the sugarhouse was born.

The modern sugarhouse of today contains more than the evaporator. Many are using a reverse osmosis machine that removes much of the water in the sap. This liquid then boils down into syrup much faster, saving time and energy.

Once the sap has become syrup it is removed from the evaporator and put into jugs and containers. Once sealed, the syrup will stay fresh for a very long time. You can also freeze it for an even longer shelf life. Should a little mold develop on the top of it, scrape it off and bring the syrup to the boiling point and reseal it.

Everyone loves pure maple syrup poured over hot pancakes. Maple syrup has more uses then just for breakfast. It can be used for a special taste on chicken, pork and fish. Use it in baking or a drink.

Anyplace where sugar can be used, maple syrup can be used.

Page 3

Stop #19 Grossman’s Sugarhouse, Claridon Twp

Stop #39 - Hale Farm & Village, Bath

Page 4

Stop #41 - Two Trees Syrup, Kinsman (picture take on the day that we purchased the sugarhouse)

Stop #1 - Maple Moraine Farm, Lima

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

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Bonhomie Acres Maple Syrup – 4 generations of the Brown family – 7185 Quaker Rd. | Fredericktown, OH 43019

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740-694-5385 | 740-501-4681 | 740-694-7140

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440-344-0029 / 440-437-2325 MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Page 5

Maple Word Search A D H L Q U V W F A L S U O I C I L E D

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Q I S R Y A E C A G K R X Y S T Y I K A

D K U X D F H I G H Q U W T X L T A J H

M E B M N D W C J F T M O A Q P I L O C

A M R W A N B K D R Z W H P N R S B M N

P O A U C O L L E C T S A P I S N O W B

L Q G N R I M Q S L N V E I G J E D E G

E F U V S T E K C U B D F N Y C D H A I

B P S T Z A X R E M P O A G B G K F Z Y

E N I O Y R Z Q T O V J I C O H I O R X

G G E S U O H R A G U S D L I A P A K L

C L J S S P Y O U S W H D B E I G J O S

H J C R E A M P V Z B E X B G U P N T P

F H K P T V Z N Y G N I R P S U A R U V

N A T I V E A M E R I C A N S T C M W Q

Boil Evaporation Spring Buckets Golden Sugar Candy Maple Sugarbush Collect Sap Native Americans Sugarhouse Cream Ohio Tapping Delicious Pail Thaw Density Snow

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

How to be a part of Ohio Maple Producers Association

Maple Madness

Driving Trail 2016...

Purchase an ad or Be a sponsor

The Ohio Maple Producers Association (OMPA) is the statewide organization to promote Ohio’s maple industry, help anyone who wants to become a maple syrup producer or just learn more about all things maple. It is a non-profit group dedicated to serving all of Ohio’s maple needs.

Calling all maple syrup producers across Ohio! Work has already begun on the 2016 Maple Madness® Driving Tour, March 2016. If you are interested in being a stop or want more information, visit www.ohiomaple.org or call 440834-1415. This is an excellent opportunity to meet people and sell more syrup.

Membership is open to anyone interested in maple. OMPA dispenses information on current government regulations and provides printed materials for maple education.

Advertising space is available in our beautiful tour booklet. These booklets are distributed across Ohio. It is a great opportunity to get your message out there. People are looking for places to eat, places to stay and shop.

For more information on the OMPA, how to become a member or how to be a tour stop on the 2016 tour, go to www.ohiomaple.org.

Sponsorship opportunities are open in a variety of ways. A sponsor will help spread the word about Ohio’s maple heritage and industry. All sponsorships are tax deductible.

If you are interested in being a part of the 2016 Maple Madness® Driving Tour in any way, visit www. ohiomaple.org or call 440-834-1415 and material will be mailed to you.

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Page 7

DID YOU KNOW . . .

Maple Madness® Driving Trail of selected maple sugaring operations is Ohio’s original, biggest & best maple tour.

Sponsored by the Ohio Maple Producers Association.

Stop #23 - K-C Maple Syrup, Montville

It’s a celebration of Ohio’s maple heritage and industry.

(440) 466-8668

www.thelakehouseinn.com 5653 Lake Road East | Geneva-on-the-Lake, OH inquiries@thelakehouseinn.com

Page 8

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Tapping Maple Trees Yesterday and Today When and how Native Americans discovered that the springtime sap from the maple tree could become maple sugar for flavoring and sweetness is unknown. There are stories about how the sap dripped into a cooking pot or a maple branch was used to stir a dinner and added sweet sap as a result. All that matters is it was discovered and enjoyed today.

What is known is that when the early settlers learned from the Native Americans they improved on how to make maple sugar and syrup.

Native American would slash the maple tree and set baskets below to collect the sap. A lot of valuable sap was lost this way. Soon settlers were drilling holes in the tree then inserting a spile in to better direct the sap and reduce the amount lost.

Soon pails were hanging directly below the spile and it became much easier to collect sap and take to boiling.

The Pioneer method of sugaring

It’s Official, MARCH IS MAPLE MONTH IN OHIO

The Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate have passed legislation officially making March Maple Month in Ohio. Thank you to all representatives that made this possible.

Horses hauling the sap.

Sap was reduced when Native Americans put hot rocks into hollowed out logs. This was a time consuming process, but it worked. Settlers soon used iron kettles over open fires to accomplish the same thing in less time.

Why make March Maple Month in Ohio?

First, maple is an important part of the history and culture of Ohio. Making maple sugar began with Native Americans who roamed Ohio for many centuries before the settlers came. Then those settlers began creating organized sugar bushes where huge maple crops were harvested. That tradition continues today with large and small operations across Ohio.

Sugaring time soon became a fun-filled activity.

After a long winter, people were gathering in the sugarbush, the area in the woods where maple trees grew in abundance, to tap trees, collect sap and boil into syrup and sugar. Fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder will recall the fun the Ingalls family had sugaring in the Big Woods of Wisconsin. There was a party with dancing and maple flavored food to enjoy.

Second is the economic impact maple has. In addition to the wide variety of maple products that are made and sold in Ohio, maple has a tremendous impact on tourism in March. Areas that embrace their maple heritage welcome thousands of visitors to have a “maple experience.” They purchase gas, visit small locally owned stores, dine in restaurants and spend a night or two in local lodging. All this infuses the economy in a slow time of the year.

Today high tech equipment is used to collect and boil the sap, but it is still a time of fun for all involved.

Take some time this March to explore and learn more about Ohio’s amazing maple heritage and industry. It’s time sweetly spent.

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Page 9

Maple Madness® Driving Trail Rolls Out Across Ohio March 14 & 15, 21 & 22

March is Maple Month in Ohio and the Maple Madness® Driving Trail is how Ohio celebrates its maple history, heritage and industry. The statewide celebration is sponsored by the Ohio Maple Producers Association and funded by the USDA 2014 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. It will take place March 14 & 15, 21 & 22.

into their sugarhouses to see how maple syrup is made. Some are small backyard operations while others are large commercial ones. It is a great way for kids to learn where their food comes from and have a great day in the country. Many stops have special activities and all give the opportunity to sample fresh maple syrup.

The 2015 tour has 45 stops in 22 Ohio counties with 16 stops in Geauga County. As a county, Geauga maple syrup producers make more than anyplace else in Ohio. For two weekends in March many open their doors and welcome visitors from across Ohio and beyond to see how pure liquid gold is made.

Maple syrup season is spring’s promise of summer’s bounty and the fall harvest

Tour hours are 10 to 5 unless otherwise noted.

Amish stops are Saturday only. Remember to dress for the weather and have coats and boots ready. Gather up the family and enjoy an Ohio maple experience that you create when you visit as many sugarhouses as you like.

For the sap in the maple tree to flow in a way that maple syrup can be made, it is only done around the Great Lakes and eastern Canada. It is in this sweet spot in the world that weather conditions are just right for this to happen. Ohio sits in the heart of this area and some of the best maple syrup in the world is made.

The tour showcases Amish (Saturday only) and Yankee maple syrup makers who invite visitors Page 10

Winters are long and cold in Ohio. But as spring approaches, many begin to itch to get outdoors and start the annual ritual of harvesting the first and sweetest agricultural crop of the year - maple syrup! Ohio has a deep and rich maple heritage that many are just beginning to discover.

The drive-it-yourself tour is Ohio’s second largest agricultural tour. Visitors can plan their own maple experience and stay as long as they want at any place. Experienced sugar makers are on hand to give the tour and answer questions. A highlight is that wonderful maple sample, often warm from the evaporator where the syrup is made.

The following pages list all the stops and maps with their location. For more information on a particular stop use the contact information listed for them.

Have a great “maple experience” on the Maple Madness® Driving Trail!

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

n 01.

ALLEN COUNTY

02.

March 14 & 15 Only Maple Moraine Farm 5343 Sandusky Road Lima 45801 (5 miles east of Lima off State Route 81 E) Taste sap fresh from the trees then sample maple syrup right from the evaporator.

419-221-1552

ASHTABULA COUNTY

Saturday March 14 & 21 10am to 5pm only Camp Whitewood, 7983 S. Wiswell Road Windsor 44099 (south of Mayfield Road (Rt. 322) AUCE Pancake Breakfast (Fee applies).

Maple Taste Of Whitewood free, Sugaring tour & hayride.

See ad for more details www.4hcampwhitewood.com

ASHTABULA COUNTY

04.

03.

Saturday March 14 & 21 Only Rock Creek Maple 8242 Fenton Road Colebrook Township. 44076 (South of Rt. 322 on left) In its fifth year, this three family sugaring operation has 2,500 taps, modern sugarhouse with reverse osmosis and state of the art evaporator.

Maple products for sale all year.

Amish Saturday Only

05.

COLUMBIA COUNTY

Greenisen Sugarhouse 1904 Depot Road Salem 44460 (Off Rt. 45 south of bypass on left.

Driveway opposite John’s Outdoor Power) Excellent example of a hobby maple syrup operation. See educational slide show on maple sugaring and Haflinger horses. Also see antique farm equipment and how a hobby greenhouse operates. www.greenisenhaflingers.com 09.

FULTON COUNTY

March 22 Only – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m 4-H Camp Palmer Maple Festival 26450 County Road MN Fayette 43521 (1.5 miles south of St. Rt. 20 (Central Avenue) next to Harrison Lake State Park) Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, maple history lessons and Pancake Brunch (Fee applies).

Maple syrup, sugar and cream for sale.

419-237-2247

07.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY

(South of Beloit) Great hobby operation where producer rents woods to tap and make maple syrup.

Backyard sugarhouse 10 X 14 with wood fired evaporator 234-567-0968

08.

March 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22 11am to 3:40pm Rocky River Nature Center Sugar Bush Maple Grove Picnic Area 24000 Valley Parkway N. Olmsted 44070 (Follow signs from Rocky River Nature Center) Small sugar bush featuring educational hikes telling sugar maple’s natural history and sugaring from Native American to modern methods.

440-734-6660 10.

GEAUGA COUNTY

Burton Sugar Camp Log Cabin on south end of Burton Village Square 14590 East Park Burton, 44021 Open all year 10 to 4:30.

For over seven decades, the Burton Chamber of Commerce has operated this working sugarhouse with maple sales funds used locally.

Free parking around the park. www.burtonchamberofcommerce.org

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

COLUMBIA COUNTY Bartholow Sugarhouse 26755 North Shore Drive Beloit 44609

Saturday March 7, 14 & 21 Only Bissell Maple Farm‘s Sugar Chalet 3741 Higley Road Trumbull Township 44084 (Higley is off Rt. 166, east of Rt. 534) For over 100 years the Bissell Family has been producing maple syrup in northeast Ohio.

Modern technology is used to produce the highest quality maple syrup possible. Sample our signature product: bourbon barrel aged maple syrup. Our many volunteers make this an enjoyable maple experience. Join us in the sugarhouse for free pancakes, samples, & fun.

Enjoy a warm fireplace, music and scenic location with horse drawn shuttle service. www.bissellmaplefarm.com

06.

ASHTABULA COUNTY

CUYAHOGA COUNTY March 14 & 15 Only 11am to 4pm Green Gate Farm 9195 Highland Drive Brecksville 44141 (I-77 Exit 149A, east on Rt 82 to Highland Drive, half mile on left) Located in an old barn, example of backyard operation, demonstrations 330-414-9517

10.

GEAUGA COUNTY

Pancake Town USA Burton Village 44021 Serving every Sunday in March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - 9am - 2pm Since 1950, mountains of fresh pancakes covered with pure maple syrup and all the fixings have been served up by Burton civic organizations.

Money raised stays in the community.

For locations, times and costs visit www.pancaketownusa.com

Page 11

n 11.

GEAUGA COUNTY Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday noon to 5 Coffee Corners Antiques & Coffee House 14544 N. Cheshire Burton Village 44021

12.

. Discover other tasty ways to use pure maple syrup when you enjoy a Burton Latte made with pure maple syrup, maple biscotti, or sip a glass of maple wine in a cozy coffee house atmosphere.

440-834-0076

GEAUGA COUNTY

GEAUGA COUNTY

14.

GEAUGA COUNTY

17.

March 14 & 21 Only Valley View Sugarhouse 15920 Burton Windsor Road Middlefield 44062 Amish Saturday Only

GEAUGA COUNTY

19.

Open every weekend in March 10am to 5pm Grossman Maple Products 12147 Claridon-Troy Rd Claridon Township 44024 (north of Rt. 322) Modern sugaring operation in new timber framed sugarhouse.

500+ taps on tubing with vacuum, 3x12 wood fired evaporator.

Easy access 440-231-5647

Page 12

GEAUGA COUNTY Sunday, March 15 & 22 Geauga Park District Swine Creek Reservation 16004 Hayes Rd., Middlefield Township 44062 (east of Middlefield Village 44062.

1.5 miles south of Rt. 87)

Explore the sugarbush and learn maple history on interpretive trail noon to 4pm with costumed guides.

Join sap gathering (horses return to pull the sap cart) Entertainment and maple treats in lodge. www.geaugaparkdistrict.org

20.

GEAUGA COUNTY Ma & Pa’s Gift Shop 15161 Main Market Road (Rt.422) Troy 44021 (2 miles east of Rt. 700 & 2 miles west of Rt. 528) Hitch up the horses at 1pm & 3pm, see how sap is collected the old fashioned way.

Join the fun in the Gift shop in 1820’s moved & restored log cabin.

Sample maple candy, coffee and other tasty treats.

www.maandpas.com

15.

Saturday March 14 & 21 only Sugar Valley Maple James Miller Family 15771 Chipmunk Lane Middlefield Township 44062 (off Georgia Road between Tavern Road (Rt. 168) and Old State Road (Rt. 608) south of Rt. 87 between White Road. & Lake Street) Award winning operation with new sugarhouse set back in woods.

Sit around the fireplace and watch as award winning maple candy and cream is made.

Tour the sugarbush set in the woods.

Purchase syrup in gallons, half-gallons, quarts, pints & half-pints. jmjent@yahoo.com Amish Saturday Only 16.

13.

Messenger Century Farm Belew Family 17098 Messenger Road Auburn 44023 (2 miles northwest of Rt. 422 & Rt. 44) Historic 1800 sugarbush on conserved 66 acre farm. See changes we have made over the last 22 years.

Enjoy samples, historic pictures, farm stories.

Drive right to the sugarhouse. mcfbelew@aol.com

GEAUGA COUNTY

Saturday March 8 & 15 only Maple Hill Farm Daniel Byler Family 15658 Burton Windsor Road Middlefield Township 44062 (east off of Old State Road, Rt. 608 north of Middlefield Village) 4th generation of maple syrup producers on this farm. Sap collected with horse drawn wagon. 1000 taps on buckets and tubing.

Amish Saturday Only 18.

GEAUGA COUNTY Saturday 10 to 5, Sunday noon to 5 Sugarbush Creek Farm 13034 Madison Road (Rt. 528) Middlefield Township, 44062 (south of Mayfield Road (Rt. 322) north of Rt. 87)

Take a wagon ride to picturesque sugarhouse.

Experience historic demonstrations and guided tour of maple operation.

Relax around fire and enjoy samples in timber framed tasting lodge.

www.ohiomaplesyrup.com

GEAUGA COUNTY

Sunday March 8 Only 2pm Tappin’ Sunday at the Geauga County Maple Festival Sugarhouse (Rt. 6 & Rt. 44, south end of Chardon Square 44024) The ceremonial tapping of Chardon’s first maple tree of the maple the season.

Sugarhouse also open March Sundays 12 to 4 for stirs www.maplefestival.com

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

n 21.

GEAUGA COUNTY March 14 & 15 only K-C Maple Syrup 16350 Hart Road Montville 44064 (Between Rt. 528 & Rt. 86, north of Rt. 6) Backyard operation using wood fired evaporator. Free samples.

Easy access – handicapped accessible, need boots for woods.

First Place winner 2010 Geauga County Maple Festival syrup competition. kcmaplesyrup@gmail.com

23.

22.

GEAUGA COUNTY Richards Maple Products 545 Water St., Rt. 6 Chardon City 44024 Celebrating 105 years of maple excellence.

Our maple gift shoppe has samples, samples and more samples!

We offer fresh maple syrup, maple candies, maple cotton candy, maple spread, maple coated nuts, and many more maple items.

Your are encouraged to come in and taste the finest flavor of spring and be amazed at what can be made with maple. MAPLE, It’s not just for breakfast!

Maple candy making demonstrations at 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. Saturday.

Easy access to gift shop and sugarhouse.

440-286-4160 24.

GEAUGA COUNTY

March 14 & 15 only Salo Maple Products 16434 Leggett Road Montville 44064 (between Rt. 528 & Rt. 86, north of Rt. 6) Producer with 18 years of experience with a great backyard operation of 800 taps.

Maple nuts & candy available.

440-759-9945

GEAUGA COUNTY

HANCOCK COUNTY March 14 only 1pm - 4pm Hancock Park District 6100 US RT. 224 Findlay 45840 (6 miles west of Findlay off I-75) 9am - 11am Maple Sugarin’ AUCE Pancake Breakfast at Litzenberg’s rustic barn (Fee Applies) 11am - 3pm Maple activities.

Maple syrup products available for purchase. www.hancockparks.com

25.

March 14 & 15 only Pleasant Valley View Farm 8810 Madison Road (Rt. 528) Montville 44064 Excellent backyard operation with buckets and tubing with easy access to sugarhouse.

Maple syrup for sale in a variety of glass containers and plastic jugs.

440-667-7363

Geauga County Maple Festival Chardon Square

April 23rd - 26th Celebrate 86 years of maple syrup production in Northeastern Ohio Tappin’ Sunday is March 8th Events include two grand parades, Pancakes in the Park, maple syrup judging & auction, pizza & pancake eating contests, photo contest, Beard & Mustache contest, “SAP Run”, bathtub races, Tug of War, Lumberjack competition, Kiddie Tractor Pull, craft show, concessions, rides, and continuous grandstand entertainment.

For information visit our website:

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

www.maplefestival.com Page 13

n

Trail Stops

Maple M

Stop #21 - Richard’s Maple P

Page 14

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

n

Madness

®

Trail Stops

Stop #13 - Ma & Pa’s Gift Shop, Parkman

Products, Chardon

Debbie Richards of Richards Maple Products

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Page 15

n 26.

KNOX COUNTY Butcher Family Maple Products 12740 Butcher Road Mt. Vernon 43050

(West on Butcher Road from Rt. 661, between Mt. Vernon and Granville, Miller Township) See first-hand the production of maple syrup and cream spread.

Modern techniques and equipment used in production of syrup, including a new natural gas fired evaporator.

Enjoy a guided tour and free samples of products.

27.

LAKE COUNTY February 28, March 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22.

Lake Metro Parks Farmpark 8800 Chardon Road (Rt. 6) Kirtland 44094 Admission charged.

A modern sugaring operation with buckets, tubing, and sugaring displays.

Maple syrup and candy samples available.

Pancake breakfast served in the café.

While there tour the entire farm and see a variety of farm animals and other farming displays.

www.lakemetroparks.com

www.butchermaple.com LOGAN COUNTY

29.

Maple Lane Farm 6181 Township Road 163 West Liberty 43357 (Rt. 33 to 292 Mad River Mountain Exit, south on County Road 28 to Township Road 163, second on left) 937-465-0705

30.

LORAIN COUNTY

Knoble Brothers Farms Sugarhouse 9950 Gifford Road Amherst 44001 (State Route 2 to Baumhart Road, south to State Route 113 west to Gifford Road, north, second left) Four generation operation with displays of antique taps, buckets, boiling pans.

Free samples and maple syrup for sale.

440-320-6804

28.

LAKE COUNTY Cross Brothers Maple 1330 North County Line Road Madison 44057 (2.5 miles north of Rt. 20) Family run sugarhouse with 600 taps on vacuum tubing and buckets.

Maple syrup samples, maple products for sale.

Short walk required to sugarhouse.

Cross Brothers Maple Facebook page for daily updates and weekend specials

31.

MEDINA COUNTY

Maple Valley Farm 8701 Hubbard Valley Road Guilford Township 44273 (From I-76 take Rt. 3 exit, south to Geenwich Road, left to first crossroad then left on Hubbard Valley) A sugar camp with modern equipment.

Weather permitting, hay ride to woods or tour dairy barn and see calves and cows on a working farm.

330-769-2936

MIAMI COUNTY

32.

Sugar Grove Maple Products 6255 State Route 41 Covington 45318 (From I-75, take Exit 74 (St. Rt. 41) west 5.5 miles. From Covington, take St. Rt. 41 east 2.5 miles) Visit a modern sugarhouse and learn how maple syrup is produced.

Baked goods for sale.

Fresh maple syrup on pancakes.

937-570-9691

MORROW COUNTY

33.

Open Monday – Friday 10 to 4, Saturday 9 to noon only Erlsten Brothers Maple Products 7630 County Road 46 Mt. Gilead 43338 (Half mile south of County Road 49) 419-362-6275

Page 16

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

n 34.

MORROW COUNTY

35.

Kirby Family Farm 6668 Winegardner Road Rushville 43150 (Off Rt. 22 just west of Somerset, 3.5 miles south on Winegardner) Enjoy visiting a farm where you can take a wagon ride to the s ugarbush and the sap view collection system and visit sugarhouse.

Samples and syrup for sale.

614-679-7617

March 14 & 21 Only Pleiades Maple Products 3870 Township Road 115 (Russell Road) Mount Gilead 43338 (I-71S to Exit SR 95 into Mt. Gilead, left on SR 61S to TR 115, turn right, first farm on left.

From south I-71N to exit SR 61N, 10 miles to TR 115, left first farm on left) Visit farm store for maple products.

Facebook Pleiades Maple Products

PREBLE COUNTY Lilac Ridge Farm 5332 New Paris Eldorado Road New Paris 45347 (From junction of Rt.127 & Rt. 40 Take Rt. 40 west 5 miles to Duffield Road, turn right and follow signs 5 miles)

37.

38.

*Sugarhouse featured on our cover

937-733-1259

TRUMBULL COUNTY

41.

March 14 & 21 only Hopewell Sugarhouse 9488 Rt. 534 Mesopotamia 44439 (1.5 miles north of Rt. 87) Mental health facility where residents help collect sap for traditional sugaring operation. There will be wagon rides to sugarhouse, maple syrup to sample and purchase, and shop in the unique Farm & Craft Market. www.hopewell.cc 43.

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY March 14 & 15 Only Camp Tuscazoar 6066 Boy Scout Road Dover 44622 (County Road 83 1.5 miles south of Rt. 212 & 800)

Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Adults $6 children 10 & under $3. Visit sugarhouse behind heated dining hall where maple syrup has been made since 2004. Sap is gathered using a vacuum and tubing process from more than 1,000 taps in 350 plus trees.

All proceeds support the camp. www.tuscazoar.org

RICHLAND COUNTY Dolce’s Sugar House 2550 Crider Road Mansfield 44901 Displays, samples, horse-drawn wagon ride to sugarhouse, tapping demonstrations each hour, breakfast and hot dog roasting, shop at the Sugar Store for maple products, maple candy, maple coated popcorn and more.

419-589-6285

Come to our small sustainable farm in southwest Ohio and enjoy our rolling scenic countryside! We make maple syrup the oldfashioned way – over an open fire. We use buckets to collect the sap from our maple trees in our sugarbush. We are a small operation and quality is our top priority.

40.

PERRY COUNTY

TRUMBULL COUNTY

36.

(From Kent/Ravenna I-76 to Exit #43, RT. 14. Go east on Rt. 14 .5 mile. Right on Rt. 183 for 6.5 miles. Turn left on Virginia Road - .5 mile on left) Free tours include a wagon ride through the sugarbush at 10, 1 & 4. Pancake breakfast all day – fee applies. Purchase pure maple syrup, candies, popcorn & coated nuts. Free samples. Dress for weather, boots recommended. Custom tours available anytime during maple season.

330-281-8530

39.

Admission charged.

Hale Farm, is a 90 acre outdoor living history museum.

For over 125 years, four generations of Hales lived on the farm and produced maple syrup. Demonstrations include Native American sugaring processes and the history of the Hales production of maple syrup. Tour the village and see basket weaving, blacksmithing, glassblowing, spinning, weaving and more. Maple products and Hale made items available in store. www.halefarm.org

42.

March 14 & 21 all day; March 15 & 28 1pm - 5pm

Dick’s Maple Farm 13489 County Road M Montpelier 43543 (Half mile south of I-80 to St. RT. 15, west half mile to Rd)

All size syrup containers and candy for sale.

Self-serve roadside stand open all year at 12494 St. Rt. 15, Montpelier 419-630-6140

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

TRUMBULL COUNTY Sutton Sugarhouse 6200 Goff Court Kinsman 44428 (State Street off Kinsman Road (RT. 87) south to Goff Court) A 50 year family sugaring operation with 5,000 taps in Kinsman Village.

A new sugarhouse that is part of a family operated business using all natural and USA made products for sale.

Samples on ice cream.

330-282-2461

WILLIAMS COUNTY

SUMMIT COUNTY

March 14 & 15, 21 & 22 10am - 4pm Maple Sugar Festival & Pancake Breakfast at Hale Farm & Village 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath 44210

Two Trees Syrup 8488 State Street Kinsman 44428 (100 yards south of Rt. 87 & State Street intersection on east side of State Street)

44.

PORTAGE COUNTY 9pm to 5pm Cash Farms Pure Maple Syrup 7057 Virginia Road Atwater Township 44201

Easy parking 330-506-3025

45.

WILLIAMS COUNTY

March 28 8 a.m. to noon only Northwest Ohio Maple Syrup Producers Maple Festival Williams County Fairgrounds 619 East Main Street Montpelier 43543 Pancake breakfast (fee), horse drawn wagon rides, sugarhouse, tree tapping, wildlife exhibit & much more.

Maple syrup & other confections for sale. dick.7@osu.edu

Page 17

March 22 – 11am to 2pm Enjoy • Horse-drawn wagon rides • Maple History lessons • Pancake Brunch (fee applies) • Maple Syrup, Sugar and Cream for sale Stop #9 26450 County Road MN | Fayette 43521 | 419-237-2247 (1.5 miles south of St. Rt. 20 (Central Ave) next to Harrison Lake State Park)

Stop #18 - Sugarbush Creek Farm, Middlefield March 28

8am – noon only

Williams County Fairgrounds 619 East Main Street Montpelier 43543 Pancake breakfast (fee), horse drawn wagon rides, sugarhouse, tree tapping, wildlife exhibit & much more.

Maple syrup & other confections for sale dick.7@osu.edu

Providing a Full Range of Marketing Services Advertising | Printing | Publishing

pho: 440-834-8900 | admin@fontanellegroup.com

Buy and Sell Syrup.

Buy and Sell Equipment.

At Erlsten Brothers, we offer the finest in equipment supplies and syrup including: Pure maple syrup products – Syrup, gift baskets, maple candy and more Maple syrup equipment and supplies: evaporators, filters, hydrometers thermometers, and other equipment. Tubing, fittings, maple syrup containers, labels, and shipping materials Tubing installation services Used equipment

(419) 362-6275 www.erlstenmaple.com 7630 County Road 46 Mt Gilead, OH 43338 Page 18

media buying | graphic design ad planning and placement web design and maintenance social media design and maintenance flyers | posters | newsletters copywriting | mailings brochures | catalogs | magazines Publisher of: Maple Ohio Magazine | Amish Life Magazine Fairmount for the Arts Catalog Chagrin Falls Community Education Brochure West Geauga Community Education Brochure Owner and Publisher of: Country Savings Magazine Middlefield Post Newspaper Plain Country of Northeast Ohio Geauga ‘Business Family’ Album

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Maple Evaporator

DAN FISHER, JR 17748 Kinsman Rd Middlefield, OH 44062 440-3632-9507 | 216-396-0158

Stop #4 Nate Bissell with his evaporator

Maple Madness at Camp Whitewood March 14 & 21, 2015

Northeastern Ohio 4-H Camps, Inc.

A-Y-C-E Country Breakfast

Maple Sugaring Tour & Hayride

Buttermilk Pancakes ∙ French Toast Scrambled Eggs ∙ Sausage ∙ Bacon Served with Camp Whitewood’s own 100% pure maple syrup! $8/adults ∙ $6/children Children under 3 eat free!

Learn how maple syrup is made - from tree to bottle!

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

3 RD Annual Taste of Whitewood

Sample a variety of foods and desserts made with 100% pure maple syrup.

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

There is no cost to participate in the Taste of Whitewood. Donations are appreciated.

All donations benefit Camp Whitewood Youth Programs.

Camp Whitewood’s

100% Pure Maple Syrup

7983 S. Wiswell Rd. Windsor, OH 44099 440.272.5275 www.4hcampwhitewood.com Summer Camp Programs Youth Programs Day Camp Programs TEAM Challenge Course Educational Field Trips Lodge Rentals

Open to all youth regardless of 4-H club affiliation.

Available at Camp Whitewood’s Maple Mercantile Maple syrup ∙ Maple candy ∙ Maple sugar ∙ Maple gift boxes ∙ Maple dog bones

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Page 19

Stop #30 Knoble Brothers Farms, Amherst

Stop #26 – Butcher Family Maple Products, Mt. Vernon

Stop #29 – Maple Lane Farm, West Liberty

Stop #36 – Cash Family Farm, Atwater Twp Page 20

Stop #37 – Lilac Ridge Farm, New Paris MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

The Terrific Maple Tree The maple tree can be referred to as the King of the Forest. Maple trees can grow just about anywhere in the world but the King rules around the Great Lakes and eastern Canada. It is here that it provides a unique, truly American product, maple syrup.

In the fall the maple tree, along with other hardwoods, bursts into an explosion of color.

The leaves on the trees become brilliant red, soft yellow or vibrant orange.

Slowly the leaves fall and winter arrives. With the arrival of spring, magic starts in the tree.

The maple tree is an amazing natural sugar making factory. In a simple explanation, the tree uses energy from the sun – solar energy – to make a sweet, watery liquid called sap. Sugar mixes with water that the tree’s roots have absorbed from the ground to make the sap.

This sap flows through the tree and feeds it and helps it to grow and stay healthy. This process

stops in the fall but begins again in the spring when the sap begins flowing once more.

There are many kinds of maple trees, but the sugar maple produces the most sap. There are other high sap producing maples include the black maple, red maple and silver maple. Maple trees produce sweeter sap than other trees, and there is more of it and it runs for longer periods of time. This is where the warm days and cold nights of spring help in the process.

It takes about forty to eighty years for a maple tree to grow big enough to be tapped for sap collection. The size of the trunk determines the number of taps that will be made to keep the tree healthy.

So the next time you take a walk in the woods look up and see the maple tree spread out protecting you. Enjoy the lovely colors of fall knowing that when it awakens in the spring it will be busy making you maple syrup.

Ohio Maple Producers Association The Ohio Maple Producers Association (OMPA) is the statewide organization to promote Ohio’s maple industry, help anyone who wants to become a maple syrup producer or just learn more about all things maple. It is a non-profit group dedicated to serving all of Ohio’s maple needs.

Membership is open to anyone interested in maple. OMPA dispenses information on current government regulations and provides printed materials for maple education.

For more information on the OMPA, how to become a member or how to be a tour stop on the 2016 tour, go to www.ohiomaple.org.

Calling all maple syrup producers across Ohio! Work has already begun on the 2016 Maple

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Page 21

Stop #34 - Pleiades Maple Products, Mount Gilead

Stop #04 - Wagon Rides at Bissell Maple Farm, Trumbull Twp.

Stop #10 - Burton Sugar Camp Log Cabin, Burton

Stop #21 - Messenger Century Farm, Auburn

Custom Cabinets Pre-finished Wood Floors – Engineered and Solid Custom Finishing

Page 22

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Goodell Family Farm

March 14 & 21 only Join us for wagon rides to sugarhouse

Country Sausage and Real Maple Syrup Shalersville Town Hall (303 & 44)

Sundays in March 8, 15, 22 8:30 – 2:00

Adults – $7.50 Children 4-12 – $4.00 3 and under – Free

Come and Bring Your Friends and Family www.goodellfamilyfarm.com

&

Custom orders WelCom e!

Free samples • Syrup for sale

HOPEWELL

A therapeutic farm community for adults with mental illness.

9637 State Route 534 | Mesopotamia, OH 44439 | 440-693-4074

Maple Valley Farm 4th & 5th generation on the same family farm producing award winning maple syrup year after year.

8701 Hubbard Valley Road • Seville, OH 44273 Pho: 330-769-2936 • Cell: 330-421-3948

Cornhole Games gift Team Colors certificates available! & Many Colors Picnic Tables: Octagon & Straight 5’ to 8’ • Arbors • Gliders • Swings Adirondack Chairs & Benches • 4 Sizes of Wishing Wells • Pergolas Mini-Bridges • 6 - 16-Ft. Bridges • Screened Gazebos & More!

deCK remodelING Is our sPeCIAltY

440-548-2657

17071 Tavern Rd. (Rt. 168), Middlefield Open Monday-Saturday 8am-5pm • Closed Sunday

www.CountrysideGazebosMiddlefieldOh.com

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Page 23

Common Sugaring Terms BIG RUN – A large supply of sap produced on a favorable day BUCKET COVER – A curved piece of metal placed over the sap bucket and spout on the tree so that snow, rain, sticks and bark will not fall into the bucket.

DRAWING SYRUP – Sap in the last evaporator compartment after reaching the boiling point. It is ready to be drawn off.

EVAPORATOR – A specially designed piece of equipment for removing water or other liquids, such as water from sap to make maple syrup. The sap slowly travels through a series of pans as it boils and thickens until it reaches the end and has become the correct thickness.

FINISHING PAN – In the evaporator, the last flat pan section used to boil sap until it reaches the right thickness for syrup.

FIRST RUN – The first sap of the spring, often the best quality of the season.

FROG RUN – The last run of the season. The name comes from hearing frogs which means the season is over.

GATHERING TANK – A large container fastened to a sled, wagon or truck and used to take sap from the sugar bush to the evaporator.

SAP – The liquid food that trees produce for growth. It is about 95% water with from two to six percent sugar plus traces of minerals, such as iron, potash, lime, magnesia and vegetable acids, all of which give the syrup its distinctive flavor.

SPILE – A spout for the drawing sap from the maple tree.

SUGAR BUSH – A grove of mainly maple trees for tapping SUGAR HOUSE – The place where sap is made into maple syrup. It houses the evaporator and other equipment used when making syrup.

SUGAR MAPLE – One of the many types of maple tree and the main producer of sap for maple syrup.

TAPHOLE – A hole drilled into the trunk of a maple tree into which a spile is inserted.

Cedar Log Homes We Sell Three Ways! Kit Only • Rough-In • Turn-Key

Reasons to choose cedar for your next home: Price for all budgets • Most energy efficient of all wood available Lifetime warranty against termites and decay Many plans available or we will use your plan Guaranteed delivery of log kit package in 30 days

Julie Howes /

Authorized Dealer REALTOR

IF YOU LIST YOUR HOME, WE WILL SELL IT!

Phone: 440-477-7864 Website: juliehowes.howardhanna.com

PETE HOWES AUCTION SERVICE Let my experience work for you! Book your auction today!

440-272-5489

Complete Auction Service • Over 36 Years Experience Farm Machinery, Livestock, Shop, Household, Real Estate, Timber

Pete Howes, Auctioneer / REALTOR Page 24

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Cooking With Maple • Before returning maple syrup to the refrigerator, rinse the cap in hot water and wipe the top of the jug so the cap will be easier to remove the next time.

• Maple syrup can be stored in the freezer for long lengths of time.

Put in clean container and seal tightly.

• Should maple syrup develop a bit of mold in the top, remove the mold and bring the syrup to a boil. Put in clean container and seal tightly.

• Warm it up! To make your maple syrup go farther on pancakes, warm the syrup up first so it thins out. Heat syrup in a saucepan over low heat, and then spoon it out. You can also warm in the microwave on high for 30 to 60 seconds.

• It doesn’t hurt to have a “special” pitcher to use when enjoying syrup on your food. They can add a splash of color to the table setting and make a routine breakfast special.

• Besides tasting good, pure maple syrup offers some nutritional benefits. It has only about 50 calories per tablespoon, it contains calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and iron. It also has trace amounts of B2 (riboflavin), B5 (pantothenic acid), niacin and folic acid. What it does not contain is cholesterol.

• When substituting maple syrup for sugar in cooking, use only three-fourths the amount of maple syrup as sugar in the recipe.

• Maple syrup can be added to grits, steel-cut oats or any breakfast cereal.

• Maple syrup has a way of bringing out the best in meats. To enhance the flavor, add maple syrup to glaze used on ham, pork, chicken or fish.

Balsamic Maple Salmon Salad 1 / 4 cup sliced Almonds 4 ounce salmon filets 1- lemon, cut into 6 wedges 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 1- 5 ounce packet of sweet spring mix salad 6 ounce bag baby spinach 2 teaspoons salt free Italian dressing 1 / 4 teaspoon ground back pepper 1 / 3 cup thinly sliced red onion 1 cup halved grape tomatoes (about 18) Vegetable oil cooking spray Heat sliced almonds in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for about 5 minute, stirring constantly. When almonds are lightly toasted, transfer to a small bowl, set aside.

Spray the nonstick skillet with cooking spray.

Add salmon to skillet and heat over mediumhigh heat. Cook for about 7 minutes. Turn over and cook until internal an temperature

of 145, (5 to 7 mins). Fully cooked salmon should be opaque and separate easily with a fork. Sprinkle with the juice of 2 lemon wedges Combine vinegar, oil & maple syrup in a small bowl, whisk well.

Combine spring mix & spinach in a large bowl, drizzle about 1 / 2 to 2 / 3 of the dressing over top. Toss well to distribute dressing evenly. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and black pepper over top. Toss again to distribute. Transfer dressed salad greens to a large platter Arrange onions and grape tomatoes over dressed greens. Sprinkle with toasted almonds. Flake cooked salmon in large chunks over salad. Drizzle remaining dressing over top. Serve garnished with remaining lemon wedges

Yield : 4 servings

Maple Whip 1- 8 ounce Cool Whip, thawed 1- 8 ounce cream cheese, softened 4 ounces pure maple sugar crumb 1 / 2 teaspoon maple flavor

Combine all ingredients. Beat with electric mixer until smooth and fluffy.

Serve with crackers or fresh fruit.

Refrigerate leftover

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Maple Apple Crunch 1-1 / 2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 / 2 cup softened butter or margarine 4 - apples, large, tart, baking 1 / 2 cup pure maple syrup 1 / 2 teaspoon cinnamon Mix graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon, butter.

Peel and core apples.

Slice about 1 / 2 inch thick.

Arrange apples in a quart-sized casserole. Cover with maple syrup Top with crumb mixture.

Bake at 325 for 35 minutes Serve with warm ice cream

Page 25

Ohio Maple Syrup and Ohio State University Extension A Sweet Partnership Submitted by: Les Ober, Geauga Extension It started on February 26, 1941 in the office of Geauga County Cooperative Extension as the Forestry Management and Marketing Meeting for woodland owners, put together by Geauga County Agricultural Extension Agent Charles A. Haas. It developed into the NE Ohio Forestry and Maple Syrup Institute, an educational meeting for area maple producers. Seventy four years later this annual program continues, as part of the Ohio Maple Days educational winter meeting series.

In December of 1986 OSU Extension played an important role in starting the Ohio Maple Producers Association and still serves the OMPA in an advisory capacity. In the spring of 2000 The NE Ohio OSU Extension Maple Syrup Committee

started the Maple Madness Maple Trail, now run by the OMPA. Today this annual event brings hundreds of visitors into Ohio sugarhouses every spring. Four years later, in 2004, the committee was responsible for building the sugarhouse on the Great Geauga County Fairgrounds. Every Labor Day, during the fair, thousands of visitors learn a little more about maple syrup production as they walk through this beautiful building. Because of this long enduring partnership, it is only fitting, on the 2014 100th Anniversary of the Cooperative Extension Service, that we note the contributions made by the Ohio State University Extension to the Ohio Maple Industry.

Sugarhouse at the Geauga County Fairgrounds Page 26

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

MAPLE OHIO MAGAZINE – MARCH 2015

Page 27

www.bissellmaplefarm.com 3741 Higley Road Rock Creek, OH 440-563-3263

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO TOUR OUR SUGARHOUSE!

Enjoy FREE Pancakes with PURE MAPLE SYRUP