The Official U.S. Maple Syrup Almanac 2016 2016 | Page 36

VERMONT MAPLE SUGAR MAKERS’ ASSOCIATION 189 Vermont Route 15, Jericho, VT 05465, [phone], [email protected], www.vermontmaple.org SUMMARY OF SEASON KYLE BRANON of Fairfield, Vt. was named Outstanding Sugarmaker of the Year at the VMSMA annual meeting in January. Award was presented by Glenn Goodrich of Cabot, Vt. ARNOLD COOMBS is presented with the Maple Person of the Year trophy for his dedication and hard work to promote the industry. Presenting the award was Sam Cutting IV on behalf of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association. T he 2016 season will almost certainly be a memorable one, from the lack of any meaningful snow accumulation to several runs of sap that exceeded anything seen in recent history. Some of these operations report making 10-20 percent of their entire crop in 24 hours. All in all, it was an average to above-average year for most producers. Early warm temperatures allowed pro- ducers to make syrup in late Januaryearly February and the season extended into mid-April for many producers. Despite the lack of a typical winter and some warmer than usual days in March, the night time temperatures were cold enough in most locations to keep sugaring. A lack of many reports of widespread off flavor suggest that this year was good in terms of flavor. There have been many reports of below-average sap sweetness while other producers report average to above-average sweetness this year. Many producers report making either predominantly lighter or darker grades of syrup. Some producers saw an uncanny amount of light syrup (Golden and Amber) while other report making very little light syrup and producing mostly the darker end of Amber, Dark, and Very Dark syrup. Matt Gordon, VMSMA executive director & Mark Isselhardt, UVM Extension maple specialist OFFICERS Pam Green Chair Rutland [email protected] 36 Emma Marvin Vice Chair Lamoille emma@butternut mountainfarm.com Mark Bigelow Treasurer Caledonia [email protected] Don Bourdon Secretary Windsor [email protected] U.S. Maple Syrup Almanac 2016