The Rural Voice, 2000-03, Page 32`uncte SUc&aud'a
Maple Syrup
& Supplies
R.R. 1, Priceville
519-369-6552
READY TO LAY
PULLETS
BABY CHICKS
WHITE & BROWN EGG LAYERS
FISHER POULTRY FARM INC.
AYTON.ONT NOG 1C0
519-665-7711
POLY TANKS
STRONG, DURABLE
CONSTRUCTION
FOR TRANSPORT OR
STORAGE
Sizes from 12 gallons -
12,000 gallons
Hundreds of tanks in stock
ALPINE
PLANT FOODS CORP.
30 Neville St.
New Hamburg, Ont.
NOB 2G0
(519) 662-2352
1 (800) 265-2268
Fax: 1 (800) 807-4668
conservative, O'Brien feels you
should be cautious when you sit
down to pencil out the potential.
Jf you're getting into production
you may want to become a
member of the Seal of Quality
program, O'Brien says. The program,
inaugurated by the Ontario Maple
Syrup Producers Association during
O'Brien's term as president, seeks to
do for maple syrup what the VQA
appellation did for quality Ontario
wines. The symbol on a container of
maple syrup assures consumers that
quality standards were followed in
producing the syrup and, O'Brien
says, maple syrup producers who sell
their product through farmers'
markets have found out it's a
valuable marketing tool.
But money aside, says O'Brien,
there are those incalculable benefits
of enjoying the first days of spring
working in the bush. He recalls a
conversation with a friend who'd
given up a maple syrup operation
because of other business ventures.
"I miss it," the friend said.
"Here's spring coming and I get the
itch and I can't go."
Some things money can't buy.0
Maple Syrup and the Saugeen Bluffs
Conservation Area - A sweet combination!
Maple syrup has been associated with the Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area,
north of Paisley, for over 25 years. This sweet history began in 1975, just after the
Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority purchased the 205 ha (506 acres)
property on the Saugeen River. Over 80 ha (200 acres) of the property contained
a mature hardwood maple bush. "At one time, we had between 3,000 - 4,000 taps.
yielding over 300 gallons (1,000 litres) of syrup. People were lined up at the
crack of dawn waiting to buy our syrup", explained, Jim Penner, long-time
employee with the SVCA.
In 1991 the SVCA decided to cease commercial production of maple syrup at the
'Bluffs'. "The forest had been pastured prior to our purchase of the property and we
had noticed a decline in the maple syrup production over the years. It was then we
decided to stop production and give the forest a much needed rest, as well as time
to rejuvenate", explained Penner, who is also the Forest Management Coordinator
with the SVCA. :Now the only tapping we do is for demonstration purposes for
the Maple Syrup Festival and the children's education programs." Over 20,000
watershed children will well remember their trip to the 'Bluffs' for that first taste of spring. In addition, the
and popular Maple Syrup Festival attracts close to 6,000 people on an annual basis. This year the Festival will take
place on April 1 & 2nd. Come out and enjoy, dive into a plate full of steaming pancakes and real maple syrup, partake
in the many activities. There's something for everyone!
well-known
For more information, contact the SVCA at 364-1255 or check
out their website at www.svca.on.ca.
77- Saugeen Valley
Conservation Authority
30 THE RURAL VOICE