SEN. GRIFFO'S WEEKLY COLUMN: Maple Weekend a sweet time for everyone

By New York State Senator Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, 47th District

 

If you eat pancakes or waffles for breakfast, you might reach for that container of syrup to add a little sweetness to your morning meal.

 

While there is a wide variety of imitation syrup available, nothing beats the real stuff. Here in New York and in my district, we know that’s the case.

 

Our state is one of the top producers of syrup in the country, producing more than 750,000 gallons of syrup last year, according to reports. That total surpasses the amount of syrup produced in 2016 by 7.5 percent.

 

The state is home to the largest resource of tappable maple trees in the country, according to the New York State Maple Producers Association. In fact, there were more than 2.5 million taps in production in New York State in 2016, according to reports.

 

We will celebrate our state’s local producers of maple syrup in March. This year, Maple Weekend, sponsored by the New York State Maple Producers Association, will take place March 17-18 and March 24-25. During these two weekends, visitors are invited to check out maple farms throughout the state to get a first-hand look at how syrup and other maple products are made, taste the many maple products that are made at each location and meet the producers and families that work hard to these products to you. 

 

There are several places taking part in Maple Weekend events throughout my district, including:

 

Lewis County

 

American Maple Museum 

9756 State Route 812

Croghan 

Phone: (315)346-1107 

 

Moser's Maple

9609 Croghan Reservoir Road

Croghan 

Phone: (315)346-6628 or (315)486-7933 

Website: www.mosersmaple.com 

 

Moser's Mapleridge Farm (Open March 17 and 24 only) 

3981 Wilson Road

Copenhagen 

Phone: (315)688-2518 or (315)486-3248 

 

Pierce's Sugar Spigot

11603 Route 812

Croghan 

Phone: (315)543-2980 or (315)286-7999 

 

Sterling Valley Maple (Open March 25 only) 

9610 Croghan Reservoir Road

Croghan 

Phone: (315)346-6400 

 

Swiss'er Sweet Maple

6242 Swiss Road

Castorland 

Phone: (315)346-1034 or (315)286-1095 

Website: www.swissersweetmaple.com 

 

Yancey's Sugarbush

7981 Long Pond Road

Croghan 

Phone: (315)346-6356

 

Oneida County

 

Tibbitts Maple

8874 Tibbitts Road

New Hartford

Phone: (315)793-3114 or (315)794-2752 

 

V.V.S. FFA Maple Market 

Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School

5275 State Route 31

Verona 

Phone: (315)335-0887 or (315)829-2520 

 

St. Lawrence County

 

Fine-n-Dandy

2620 County Route 35

Norwood

Phone: (315)528-4700 or (315)388-4149

 

Finen Maple Products

529 Austin Ridge Road

Norwood 

Phone: (315)353-2015 or (315)524-8628

 

You also can find more information about additional locations throughout the state and other Maple Weekend-related activities by visiting mapleweekend.nysmaple.com.