LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the New
York State Maple Weekend and recognizing its importance to the New York
State agriculture industry

WHEREAS, The agriculture industry is part of the foundation upon which
our distinct American heritage is built; and
WHEREAS, New York State and the entire United States is dependent on
our agriculture industry for a variety of food products; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 20th Anniversary of the New York State Maple Weekend and
recognize its importance to the New York State agriculture industry, to
be celebrated on March 21-22 and March 28-29, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Maple Weekend is one of the premier agri-tourism events in
the United States; approximately 160 maple producers across New York
State open their facilities to 500,000 visitors who are interested in
learning how maple syrup and related maple products are made from the
tree to their table; and
WHEREAS, This family-oriented tradition began in the mid-1990s; today,
the New York State Maple Producers Association invite people into their
sugar houses throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, This year's Maple Weekend is scheduled for March 21-22 and
March 28-29, 2015; these special days consist of witnessing the variety
of equipment and methods used to make maple syrup and sampling a variety
of maple products; many producers provide wagon rides to the woods,
tapping demonstrations, and historical displays; and
WHEREAS, Over 650 maple farmers supply 356,000 gallons of syrup to
consumers each year, making New York the second largest producer of
maple syrup in the Nation; and
WHEREAS, New York State's award-winning maple syrup was recently named
best-tasting in the United States; its 1.53 million taps produce enough
sap to account for almost 18% of the maple syrup made in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the
efforts of our farmers as they continue their hard work of cultivating
the land, facing the many challenges of nature such as flood, drought
and heat, in order to grow our food; and
WHEREAS, Through its diligence and expertise in maple syrup, the crea-
tors have brought pride and recognition to themselves, their local
community, and to our great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the New York State Maple Weekend,
and to recognize its importance to the New York State agriculture indus-
try; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the New York State Maple Producers Association.