Tapping Pa 2011 Tioga County

[Sugarmaster]

Here at Patterson Farms we started tapping Monday Feb 7. Guys are having a hard time getting around in the woods because of the crusty snow. Watching the weather report every day. Looks like maybe a small run next week. It will probably take us around 2 weeks to get all tapped if the weather holds up.

[Gary R]

Good luck Richard! If you could, how about a picture of that RO room? It must be getting filled up with vessel's:)

[Sugarmaster]

Yes it has grown a few feet in both directions. I can get a picture taken of our RO room but I will have to see if Theron can help me get in on line. None of us here are computer persons.!! And good luck to all of you too . We all need a good season this year.

[waysidemaple]

Good talking with you today. I told my dad you said hi. Look forward to having the time to come out your way this year instead of just sending the homefront with a shoping list haha.

[happy thoughts]

A quick question for tioga tappers..... I live in sullivan county and thought I had seen somewhere about a maple syrup co-op in tioga???? Is that true, and if so what is it the co-op does? I'm just a hobbyist at this point and have been so for the last 5 years but it certainly is addicting! I guess I'm wondering about bulk supplies and learning more about large scale production. Also wondering about the possibility of bulk sap sales in the future if large scale syruping seems beyond my very wild dream at this point. Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

[waysidemaple]

Sugarmaster- It was really nice getting out to see you guys this past weekend. I can't believe it had been 6 years since the last time I had gotten out there. I figured I would up load the pics of your RO's. I took a few pics of them while I was over there. Thats my buddy standing next to one of the two evaporators over there.

[waysidemaple]

In the first pic there are two more posts that aren't in the pic...Makes a total of 13. WOOOOOOW!!!

[Sugarmaster]

I am glad you got to come over in the middle of the season. And thanks for taking the pics. We are not real good with this computer thing. There has been a few requests for pics but just didn't know how to do it. Syrup looks real nice. With our big Maple Weekend coming up this weekend things are getting extra busy here getting ready for it. Hoping "Mother Nature" helps out with the weather and some sap to boil would be nice.:) Stop in any time!

[waysidemaple]

I know the girlfriend was impressed with everything and wants to get over there this weekend. No problem with the pics glad to help out!

[theschwarz1]

Wow! Thats a lot of plumbing!
We might make it over there, not sure. We are gonna hit the Tice's place since they are near by and I have already been to Millers. We'll see.
Might be busy boiling that day too.
I gave a little class on sugaring to a group of 2-6yr olds at the Mansfield Library. The program is called Little Sprouts and its a Teusday night program that teaches kids all about plants and gardeining.
Here is the link to see some of the photos and video. (http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/little-sprouts/recap-of-little-sprouts-032211/197606610273298)
There is a link to see more photos and a video towards the bottom of the article.

It was a lot of fun. The kids thought syrup came out of the tree. And lots of adults didnt realize how much like water the sap was. I handed out little cups with a swallow of sap for everyone to try. A good education for all.
The best part of my class was at the end of my little talk explaining everything, I asked if there were any questions. One cute little girl nicely raised her hand and said "One day when I grow up...I'm going to be a ballerina!"
Sooooo off topic but was cute! =)