Maple syrup data & information

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• Vermont is the nation's largest producer of maple syrup.
• Our syrup can be found nationwide and can be found as the official syrup of the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain, even though they cut it with corn syrup.

My family sugared in Jay Vermont from the 1970's until ending suddenly in 2003.  (The cover photo is of my grandfather and I, and the sign in the picture below was made by my brother and still hangs by the Sugarplace front door - don't judge his 5 years old spelling)

Vermont Maple Syrup is perhaps the state's most iconic and recognizable brand, besides maybe Ben & Jerry's, and drives a significant portion of our agrotourism.  From a purely business standpoint, it makes fiscal sense to encourage and support our maple industry.  Whether through tax credits or the expansion of available maple grants for continuing or emerging sugar operations.  This holds true for maple processing as well.  Vermont branded maple candies and other products are an economic and cultural export and should likewise continue to be supported and encouraged.  

I support state funding into the ongoing research and development of innovative equipment and sustainable management practices to improve sap & syrup yields, and ultimately increase Vermont's syrup exports and the success of our sugar producers.  The technology of syrup production has far outpaced research and the effects, if any, of certain practices (e.g vacuum or reverse osmosis) on the long-term health of the trees is unknown.