The Official U.S. Maple Syrup Almanac 2015 | Page 31

PENNSYLVANIA MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCERS COUNCIL * 35A Belmont Street, Waymart, PA 18472, [phone], www.pamapleassociation.org SUMMARY OF SEASON F ast N’ Furious is a good description of the 2015 maple season in Pennsylvania. The season, which usually starts by the 2nd week of February, never saw its first runs until the second week of March. People with vacuum saw a consistent sap flow and boiled virtually every day until the second week of April. This is about two to three weeks longer than normal for Pennsylvania. Many producers with good vacuum systems saw their second best season, ever, while those on gravity saw mixed results that went from average to very poor. Extremely deep snows in parts of Pennsylvania kept some producers out of the woods until the season was almost over, allowing them very little time to make syrup. This is the second season in a row with bitter cold temperatures and a very late thaw. However difficult the seasons have recently been, Pennsylvania sugarmakers have endured and persevered to produce quality maple syrup. —Gary Bilek, President PENNSYLVANIA MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCERS COUNCIL OFFICERS President Gary Bilek 9225 Fillinger Road Cranesville, PA 16410 [phone] [email protected] Treasurer Shirley Bilek 9225 Fillinger Road Cranesville, PA 16410 [phone] [email protected] Vice President Ron Shemanski 35A Belmont St. Waymart, PA 184