What do yall do for a living?

[Limitpusher]

Im sure its been asked before but, thought id ask. Always thought it was kinda fun to see the range of backgrounds. Doesn't have to be too detailed.
I'll start...
I own my own shop, I'm a all around metal worker, machining, welding, foundry. We do both field and in house welding. And of course, Maple syrup on the side.:lol:

[220 maple]

Printing Books for the past 33 years 3months and 7 days!

Mark 220 Maple

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Milked cows for 35 years. Maple on the side. For the past 7 years I have only milked trees with a smattering of other field and forest work to fill in the gaps.

[maple flats]

Farmer, maple, blueberries, raspberries and lots of other fruits & vegies; school bus driver; sawyer. I'm retired, still doing all these. Before retiring I was a heating contractor and blueberry farmer.

[Super Sapper]

Waste Water Operator.

[Chicopee Sap Shack]

Firefighter paramedic construction

[tuckermtn]

work for a non-profit that does forestry education and supports the working forests of NH. I monitor wood markets for our association and I write articles for a couple forestry/logging magazines.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Master Electrician/Fire Alarm/Security Technician oh yea PIA also!

[maple2]

Stone mason, cut a few logs and firewood, snow plowing, brush hogging, chistmas shop, big E, Ebay store, grandparenting X 9, but mostly sugaring!

[Sullydog]

Currently, Law enforcement...construction...maple syrup producer.

[Revi]

Art teacher, artist, antique and nick-nack seller.

[madmapler]

Currently own a gym. Used to own a second one but I sold it. Did residential construction before that. I also have several pieces of older heavy equipment that I work on as much as I work with. Looking for a simpler way to live.

[jrgagne99]

Engineer. Nuff said.

[GeneralStark]

Educator, musician, woodworking and sugaring presently. Former careers (though I still dabble) include boatbuilding, outdoor ed./guiding, laborer, and ski bum.

[BreezyHill]

Raised on a Family Farm, NYS Liscenced hay dealer as a senior in high school & EMS Tech. Livestock hauler for east coast states between Fencing jobs as Gallagher Electric dealer, built on farm feed mill from the ground up, 4-H leader for last 29-30 years, Founded a snowmobile club in 2003, taping since 1971 when dad started operation; Show cattle, showed horses, three sons, 1 daughter figure(df)(future daughter in law???), wielder, livestock nutritionist, run most everything with a motor. Dad was a surge dealer then an industrial arts teacher til he retired.
Learn from your elders and friends...because college is expensive now days!
Looking forward to learning from my son and df when they return from SUNY Morrisville- funny that's where my dad went.

Life is a quest for knowledge...when you stop learning- you have died.

[Trevor5]

Geologist - pretty much do anything from finding water, cleaning up gas stations, to mine permitting and helping mines that have water issues or subsidence issues.

[Rangdale]

Network and Telcom Admin.

[kiteflyingeek]

Software engineer for 15 years. Started hay making last year.

[SDdave]

Landscaper

[lyford]

science teacher

[rayi]

I work in the medical field an educated idiot really. That is why I ask so many dumb questions. Wish I would have listened to the old man and got some hands on experience on the farm

[Parrys Maple]

CAD Tech. for aerospace company and farm it on nights and weekends on our family farm, along with the sugaring on the side.

[Randy Brutkoski]

I am a underwear model.

[RileySugarbush]

Engineer. 30 years designing earthquake simulators, wave generators and custom test and simulation equip. Now consulting part time, leaving time to fool with maple...

[markr]

I cut meat for a living, make syrup for fun and gifts

[mountainvan]

Full time Maple producer!

[jimsudz]

Sawmill owner/operator

[Marcus]

Landscape installation, Maint., and landscape construction.
Marcus Yoder

[Randy Brutkoski]

Actually I am an independent potato chip salesman.

[Indiana-Jones]

Sell and service two-way radios, closed circuit TV systems, electric door control. Install lights and sirens in fire trucks and cop cars.

Bought some acreage 1990. Raised beef cattle and hay, sold the herd 2 years ago, now sell only hay and maple. Anyone need any hay?

[pmack]

Funeral Director

went haves on sap for three years with brother-in-law
400 buckets
new 2X10 Vortex coming soon
20X24 sugarhouse being built NOW
L3600 Kubota, Ranger
Dad who is the bank and some **** good friends, cuz I never know what my schedule is

[K.I. Joe]

Tech Writer and Safety for Old Town Canoe

[Mike's Sugar Shack]

Paper maker at verso paper and every year getting bigger with more taps.

[GGervais]

Licensed land surveyor.

[Brian Ryther]

80% maple, 20% independent welder.

[lakeview maple]

24yrs state corrections officer, 7 yrs blueberry farmer and 3 yrs maple producer

[heus]

High school history teacher(19th year) and coach.

[Outdoorsman0490]

tree service with arborist license for state of ct

[njburg]

Plumber/piano player in a cat house/Marine

[RC Maple]

Worked in ag retail as a salesman and plant manager for 16 years but I always thought about having my own business. So I quit that job and started my own business. I now have a mobile repair business - I fix scuffed bumpers and do paint touchup and interior repairs on car dealer lots. I also sell crop insurance - a holdover from my fertilizer plant days.

[Dave Y]

Retired school custodian/ full time sugarmaker.

[bees1st]

I play with stinging insects.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

I am a underwear model.

Dont make me break out the photos!!

[David in MI]

Financial representative, blueberry farmer (just getting started), maple syrup producer and home-school superintendent. ;)

[Yellzee]

Mechanical Engineer by schooling... looker after of a wide range of manufacturing plant stuff by experience.. Raise chickens, cut wood,

[ennismaple]

Engineer. Nuff said.

Good to see another train driver around here! Me too - civil. I work in the land development industry M-F and farm on weekends. Quite the paradox...

[Bruce L]

Beef farmer, cabinetmaker ,greenhouse in season selling roses, annuals, also drive school bus part time to help with the bills.

[Jim Brown]

Retired Security Manager for a large underground gov. complex/I'm an offical sugar maker as I have burned a pan!

[Thad Blaisdell]

You all have some interesting jobs.....

Me 90% maple, 10% undecided

[Paddymountain]

I own an automatic transmission repair shop(it's only my wife and I!) 15 years full time
11 years tree trimmer for power co
6 years precast concrete co tie steel/load trucks

[Scribner's Mountain Maple]

Technical and Executive recruiting consultant and wannabe sugarmaker.

[Father & Son]

30 years in health care, respiratory therapist. Before that welder, fork lift operator, truck driver. I still haven't figured out what I want to do when I grow up!

Jim

[sapman28]

Own and run a Funeral Home and Home decorating Center with my Dad, So I geuss a Funeral Director and a Store Manager as my Main job. I am also a Lt on our fire dept, water comissioner, baseball coach, Cub scout den leader and make maple syrup.

[steam maker]

Do u have the funeral home for after the home decorating prices!!!!😃 Just kidding buddy. Guess ill tell everyone im a union pipefitter so now u can pick on me!!!!!

[Cake O' Maple]

Occupational Therapist, custom cakes on the side, maple syrup on the side.

[Homestead Maple]

Public works in a small town, we take care of the roads, water, vehicle maintenance, buildings and grounds and cemetery.

[Ren]

Firefighter IAFF L288

[PETE FELCH]

Operating engineer IUOE local 139

[inthewoods]

I am also an Operating Engineer Local 139.

[sugarsand]

Farmer, paper maker, over the road trucker, electrical construction, wood shop hobby. Retired in one year to be a full time sap chaser, hunter, fisherman, this plan wife administered of course.:lol:

Sugarsand

[markcasper]

Work in food can manufacturing full-time, help on the family dairy farm part time and maple syrup of course.

[yards1520]

Nuclear power operator

[bees1st]

Now there's a topic I don't believe we've touched on . What about using nuclear power to make maple syrup ? You're our go to guy !

[vernon]

Fishing Captain for 40 years now my sons run the business and I make MAPLE SYRUP.Well a some of the time.

[themapleman54]

Owner of fillmore maple supply . The western sales office & warehouse for dominion & grimm ,

[MapleLady]

Teacher - Family and consumer science

[MapleMounder]

Used to work in R & D at a large Ag attachment/mower company, now a career Fire Chief.

[bobsklarz]

Retired School Counselor.

[maplemat1]

Work for a construction company that works with the telecommunication industry . mainly install fiber optic cables and copper for lines in the air or underground . spend a lot of time underground . maple is just a hobby and will always be no matter how big it gets.:lol::lol:

[PerryFamily]

General contractor, mostly utility excavation and general site work
Trucking, forest products, aggregate
But, would get done if the right position came up. I am sick of it
Looking to take tap count to 4000 on Vac someday as time, taps and oh yea money allow

[red maples]

Wow all walks of life
I was a cook/ Chef for 25 yrs. Worked in High end hotels in NJ, Boston and NH. Still love it but wanted see my family so now I am a stay at home dad for the last 6 years and tend to my house work, chickens, turkeys, bees, maple and of course my kids.

[Limitpusher]

Do u have the funeral home for after the home decorating prices!!!!�� Just kidding buddy. Guess ill tell everyone im a union pipefitter so now u can pick on me!!!!!

As long as you don't call me a scab, we good! lol :lol:

[The Village Farmer]

UPS delivery driver. 28 yrs total. Started when I was in college and never left.

[Walling's Maple Syrup]

contractor/maple producer-trying to do less carpentry and more maple with each passing year.

[Mountain Winds Farm]

maple products,eggs and chicken

[bowhunter]

Retired chemical engineer. My hobbies all revolve around the outdoors....bowhunting, fly fishing, camping and hiking so making maple syrup fits right in. It gets me outdoors in the winter with an early jump on spring. Last year was my first year and I got a lot of satisfaction from the experience, although I did get a little tried of the long days boiling in the barn after 7-8 weeks. It was interesting learning all the new stuff about maple trees.

[sg5054]

Currently I run the office for a local boatyard. Not terribly exciting but it isn't high pressure either. I have been involved in the marine industry from mechanic to boatyard owner to the corporate treadmill and back for 30 some years. Syruping has really hooked me so now I'm just killing time until it is time to tap again.

[BAP]

Disabled in a work accident 4 years ago. Had to sell my share of family 450 cow dairy farm and 16,000 tap sugar operation. Now have 15 acres and tap 100+ and make syrup when I feel up to it. Stay home Dad and housekeeper now.

[motowbrowne]

I grow produce with my wife and my father on his land. Maple syrup is an important part of the operation. Hope to grow to 2000 taps in the next few years, but I'm grounded from looking at new evaporators for a few more after that. I also have a Timberking B20 bandsaw mill as a side project and collect yellowjackets and hornets on the side too. I sell the bees to a lab that extracts the venom and makes allergy therapy products. Maple syrup is my favorite, but I'm always scheming. I try to stay outside and away from the computer screen and florescent lights; hate the idea of working to make someone else rich.

[Rhino]

As the seasons change, so does the jobs i do, spring time is syrup making, then start putting in docks, boat lifts, and launching boats for clients along with planting our veggie gardens. Summer is maintaining gardens/farmer markets, Fall is guiding bear hunts, pull in docks/lifts and filling our boat storage building up along with maple syrup related work and trying to arrow a monster buck. Winter is logging and snow plowing driveways.

[johnzski]

Full time self employed carpenter , part time logger and pulp truck driver in the winter , started making syrup to show the kids how it's done . Thinking it would be a good way to spend time when I start slowing down . In about 20 years lol

[Tweegs]

Automotive engineer: Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)…basically, we make sure nothing short of an EMP will blow the car up. Radio frequency interference and all that rot.
Currently working with the electric and hybrid vehicles.

15 years doing this, 12 years Air Force prior to it.

[umpwood1]

Worked in retail lumber and building materials for 35 years, then the bottom dropped out. I now work 2nd shift in the BOILER ROOM at a local hospital.
I wish I could use one of our boilers to do my syrup @ 15, 000 pounds of steam per hour. :o

[Friedrich_Sugarhouse]

Like a lot of you I'm a dairy farmer and I try my luck as a woodworker, carpenter, folksinger, logger, and mechanic. Mostly I'm the town drunk I guess. If I had access to all my families acreage I might be able to do maple for a living but at the moment my cousins would put up a fight.

[millscrest]

Law Enforcement Forensics crime scene investigator for 24 years and can not figure out why I'm still doing it. I would rather make maple syrup all year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hurdhaven Farm]

I was a Dairy Farmer for 25 years, sold the cows and went back to school and became a Respiratory Therapist. Now in my 10th year doing that I am the manager of Cardiopulmonary Services at North Country Hospital. Sugaring on the side for enjoyment and relaxation(usually!)

[Ausable]

Have been retired for the past fourteen years - so have had time to play. 9 years in the Navy, 20 years in Coal and Oil fired Electric Generating Plants mostly as a High Pressure Boiler Operator and 11 years as a Hydro-Electric Dam Operator. Maple Syrup making is my favorite Hobby. -----Mike-----

[christopherh]

Aircraft mechanic

[MartinP]

Information Systems Manager

[warners point]

Tile Setter

[SadSams]

I am a self-employed heating & a/c guy. Mostly residential, but we'll do some strip malls. 33 plus years and still like what I do.

[Waynehere]

I work for a University as a computer lab manager. Also enjoy riding a Goldwing.

[stoweski]

Technology teacher - or to old timers, Industrial Arts... Shop. :)
Also have a part time business with the wife playing with bees & tapping trees.

[maplehick]

I work as a millwright by day! But my addiction is sugar by night

[halfast tapper]

I own my own dump truck business , in winter I plow snow for the town and village of Ludlow , VT.

My hats off to the guys who are stay at home dads, that is so awesome.

[Wanabe1972]

Hi I am an industrial mechanic in a large book bindery. I also do welding and fabrication and for a while had a small buisness of welding and powdercoating.

[Birddog]

Information Systems Manager

[sap retreiver]

equipment operator for the town, yes i'm the town toby

[western mainer]

Operation manager at a ski area
Brian

[drpud]

Veterinarian.
Ren How did your hives do this season ? I just started with 2 nucs late this June and was able to get over 40 lbs per hive.
Paul

[Jmsmithy]

Insurance Agent handling all lines commercial and benefits...on the benefits side, with all the obamacare nonsense....sugaring been our salvation!!!!

First commercial year coming up, just broke ground on 16x24 Sugarhouse w/ concrete slab/overhang should hold 10 cords palleted and another slab on back for feed tank to our new 2x6 Patriot, w/ ao/au etc etc...also this past weekend marked tree# 200 w-a lot more to come!!!

[Bill'sSugarShack]

Last 18 years been groundskeeper for a companies "Guest House" with 150 acre maintained wood lot behind it.
Other jobs over the years, dairy farming, golf coarse greens keeper, head of snowmaking...

[Jebediah]

Scientificalist. I do scientifical experimentalization.

[spud]

Scientificalist. I do scientifical experimentalization.

Holy Crap if you do all that then you should be fall tapping for sure.:lol:

Spud

[Drew Pond Maple]

Automotive refinish technician for 20 years.
Making syrup as a hobby for 2 years.

[gmcooper]

We besides making syrup, farm raising beef cattle, hay, breed show and sell miniature horses, have a seasonal greenhouse business, have up to 90 hives of bees. Oh and if I want to eat we have a construction business. We used to run a 120 farrow to finish hog operation. Looking to get the maple and bees up enough to quit the construction.

[wwright]

Own an excavation company,and farm on the side raise beef cattle and make hay and of course maple syrup

[lafite]

wine portfolio manager

[Rossell's Sugar Camp]

college student and i sell woodpellets. If any of you need woodpellets for your evaporators call me and maybe I can beat the price. Just mention its for maple syrup. The number is 7245625764

[Don(MI)]

Just seen this thread, was thinking maple syrup the other day (We really are only 2.5 months away now!)

I am an Engineer for Delta Faucet Company.

Also, been tappin and makin syrup since I was knee high to a grasshopper.

[grumpy]

natural gas utility work, local helper-outer, sugaring ever since I burnt down our first shanty

[shane hickey]

Make syrup and farm

[Mountain Winds Farm]

maple products, eggs and chicken

[PerryFamily]

Well things have changed here in a big way. About a month ago I accepted a position with the local town highway dept. The plan is to train with and replace the existing road foreman.
He has been there for 35 yrs so I have some big shoes to fill. Still going to do excavating on the side and plan on making as much syrup as possible.

[unc23win]

natural gas utility work, local helper-outer, sugaring ever since I burnt down our first shanty

now thats an interesting way of getting into sugaring sorry I had to laugh at that one sounds like a Terry Porter just very matter of fact way of saying it.

Me I am a teacher lord help me not for much longer, farmer, and maple syrup leaning towards farming and syrup more every day

[wrushton]

own a door hardware and locksmith store, also I have a fire and alarm company. have a small farm with chickens and goats

[farmall h]

Well. I was raised on the family dairy farm. Folks started sugaring in '78. I went to college..became an elementary teacher(2 years- did not care for it). Back to milking cows. Delivered fuel oil, self employed logger, (couldn't afford the health insurance, sold the skidder in 2000). Been an MRO Buyer/Receiver for the last 14 years. Looking forward to retire in the next 20 years. :lol:

[optionguru]

I own a pawn shop and a financial planning office.

[stewardsdairy]

High School science teacher and varsity track coach- spring gets a little busy!!

[Jeff E]

We should have a Mapletrader beer and brat day. The diversity of backgrounds of this group with the common maple juju running in our veins would make for a very fun gathering!
I bet we could send a man to mars if we set our minds to it:cool:

Supervisor of transportation engineers and planners. 25 yrs working for the Man.

[Spanielslovesappin]

Chief Engineer on a big *** car carrier... i.e. merchant mariner/gentalman agriculturalist and yes as a team we could do just about anything.

My brother boiled the solder out of our pans in the 80's... solder was still stuck to the walls when we bulldozed the building in 2007!

[morningstarfarm]

Farrier here...

[CincySyrupPusher]

Microsoft Exchange Administrator for past 7 yrs.

Before that,
I was a heavy diesel mechanic and operator for a few local excavating companies.
Heavy Equipment transport (lowboy and bigger)
over the road truck driver (all of 2 weeks, I hated being away from wife)
copper/fiber lineman
general contractor

currently about to start my 3rd year of maple. started with a pot on some bricks the first year, now designing/stealing the new OilArch2.0. hope to have 25 trees on buckets this year.

1wife
4kids (16,9,7,5)

[tcross]

project estimator and engineered floor system designer here! had to fill the time between the busy season, golfing and hunting... making syrup seemed like a good productive hobby!

[collinsmapleman2012]

Full time student at SUNY Morrisville, trying to start a maple syrup business selling syrup and confections and also tubing installations.
Would be great if i could do maple full time, or at least 6 months of the year out of college, but not sure if it will happen yet or not.
Also do a little woodworking, and help out at a local antique auction, used to be on a dairy farm.

[shane hickey]

500 acre hay farmer 3000 acre cash crop farmer and 16000+ taps maple syrup producer we stay busy year around over here in this little town
No time for rest but the moneys good. Good luck to you all here on maple trader for the 2014 season been working in the woods from almost day light to dark fixing what the ice storm had done.

[Randy Brutkoski]

I am still an underwear model.

[FDA]

men's or woman's?

[CPlace]

Banker and Dad of Place Family Enterprises.

[Randy Brutkoski]

I shouldn't really say.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

men's or woman's?
I stopped one day at the house and kinda walked in with out knocking, i mean iv done that in the past you know, well what I saw scarred me for life. He was in his wifes purple teddy and the legs were so stretched out from him trying to pull it up barrrrrfffff, just lost my supper thinking of it

[adk1]

I am a county worker and own an ice cream shop

[Burnt sap]

Medic for last 10 years.

[Randy Brutkoski]

The stockings didn't really go with my full time sweater, did they rusty.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

no you would need to shave your legs and back

[Randy Brutkoski]

I should have never played with chi pet in the shower when I was a kid.

[Foremaple]

Home improvement contractor with zero employees!!

[BnSmaple]

Golf course superintendent

[asknupp]

I am a backhoe operator for Norfolk Southern rr. Hey Limitpusher! How about welding me up a pan.lol

[farmerdon74]

Seed sales rep for NY PA and New Engand

[redman275]

Retired County CO

[Cider Hill Maple Farm]

Former member of the Maine Plumbers and Pipe-fitters Local 716 for 22 years, now employed by F.W. Webb as an Industrial Design Engineer.

[fishman]

Fisheries Biologist and football and basketball coach. Soon to be retired and be the grandpa that has the time to spoil the grandchildren. Not that I would put them to work on the sap lines:rolleyes:

[Maple mass]

Landscaper (winters off when not snow plowing or cutting firewood)


2x6 leader wood fired
400 buckets
12x12 shack
125 gal 2013

[WESTMAPLES]

self employed 125 cords of firewood a year, 4 1/2 months a year being a sub-contractor for local construction company, and plenty of large welding, fabrication, sandblasting, work vehicle paint jobs to fill the gaps. everyone told me when I was young to go get a job, I did and hated it ( quit soon after ) so I made work for myself and never looked back now I own my own small business, work hard at being successful maple syrup is something ive done with other for so time now im out on my own starting for the bottom up with the proper equipment and knowledge to become a larger producer in the next couple years

[huntingken111]

Tool and die maker specializing in CNC

[Green Hill Maple]

Part owner family tree company/ISA Arborist. Getting ready to go out plowing right now!

[Run Forest Run!]

Had a varied and fun career in advertising, marketing communications, public relations, graphic design, event management and finally "fan control" for a Capitol recording artist. (Don't ask, I'd have to kill you if I told you.) Saved my pennies since I was a kid and said goodbye to the 9 to 5 grind in 2003. Now I spend quality time with family, work on house projects, take classes to learn new skills, volunteer in town and play outside when the weather is nice.

[farmall h]

Randy....Long under wear model !!? :lol:

[Biz]

Electrical engineer for the past 35 years. Student and farmer before that. Been sugaring on and off since I was about 10.

Dave

[Galena]

Studied Advertising in college and began freelancing as a copywriter straight out of school; kept me going for the next 7 years or so, most of that being in BC. Ended up in Northwestern BC as a radio copywriter for a now-defunct station, and started up a gourmet mustard business on a shoestring, which I sold later without the biz being a single penny in debt - and I had NO food experience at all!! Then returned to Lower Mainland, worked as a movie/TV extra. Moved back east, helped some friends buy and start a business, then moved back to Ontario and worked as a barn manager/horse trainer, riding instructor et all for several years. Retired from that, drifted a little, now successfully self-employed. Avid *serious hobbyist* photographer

[Tom_saw]

Carpenter and builder for 30+ years . I'm now a Mr. Mom , do a little farming and maple .

[Haze]

I own and operate a full time retail gun & ammo business and also a graphics business at the same location which includes laser engraving, vehicle lettering, signs, apparel printing and other associated printed material. It does tend to get in the way of sugaring at times though but we manage. ;)

[Mr Sugar Maple]

I have been selling maple syrup for 38 years, for a small jam - jelly co in Wisconsin. Decided to make some syrup from our own land, this will be our third season 200 taps.

[AndrewsofBow]

Firefighter, 2nd year hobbiest with about 30 taps.

[feathercast]

Carpenter for 20 years & 2 years ago went out on my own. Started my own shop after the outfit I worked for said the $100k jobs were to small! I mostly do interior work, but lately doing a lot of wood framing. Also doing a lot more solid surface tops. I've been coaching softball for 8 years, but going to start slowing down. I hunt & flyfish when I can. This will be my first year tapping trees if it ever warms up!

[doocat]

I love this thread. Randy B keeps it interesting. I would have never guessed that there were that many different occupations. I figured on mostly farmers. Me on the other hand law enforcement and hope to be retired in 17 months.. No I'm not counting.

[Marc Duclos]

www.duclosmasonry.com

[sweeteffinsyrup]

ALWAYS a farmer. Now at 30 will begin training to be a lineman for local utility, after 2 years of being the guy that cuts your power for not paying the bill. Novice beekeeper and maple hobbyist

[Daves Maple Farm]

X-jet jockey followed buy 12 yrs CEO County.....Jet engines...only way for a really really hot evaporator...just sayen:rolleyes:

[ELM_DALE_MAPLE]

Professional land surveyor

[dblact38]

New York City Electrician, coach baseball, 3rd year hobbiest with 30 taps

[Randy Brutkoski]

Farmall, Long underwear makes me itch all over for a week. I am more of a chipendale type of guy. I am also a potato chip salesman and my other full time job is maintaining the 8000 taps i have.

[Sandersyrup]

Professional wedding and portrait photographer for 10 years. Portfolio = www.sandersonimages.com wishing I could find a way to start a part time maple syrup income during the winter off season but with these crazy PA requirements it might be awhile.

[tapperdan1]

i started out as a mink farmer....now i work as a sterile processing tech for a big hospital...

[Greenthumb]

High school teacher

[GramaCindy]

Pre-K through 12th grade cook...making things the old fashioned way....FROM Scratch.

[Cabin]

Locksmith for over 38 years.

[NhShaun]

3rd generation plasterer working the family business. Also the mechanic at a candle pin bowling alley built in 1957. 2nd season Noob with 100 taps last year.

[NH Maple Paul]

High School math teacher

[ScottyWelden]

another high school teacher --English

[TreeTapper2]

IBEW Electrician by trade.
Real estate investor

[Marvel26]

I've been with Fisheries & Oceans Canada for 15 yrs. Fish Habitat Biologist for 9 years right in the middle and Fishery Officer on either end.

[mudr]

Wetland research and habitat restoration. Little bit of adjunct teaching at the college I work for on the side.

[MarkReynolds]

Auto worker for GM canada, but worked in dairy farming for 10 years loved that but
Didn't pay as well. This hobby gets me back outside and in the bush!

[Jonnyp390]

Father/ Husband/ Teacher.
10th year as a middle school science teacher, currently teaching 9th grade biology and physics. 4 years ago I had an 8th grader named Andrew ask me if I wanted to buy any of the syrup that he and his family make. I bought some, he answered all my questions, a week later I bought 2 metal Spiles and got started. Students can be the best teachers.

[watsey]

Running my own landscape maintenance company and a volunteer firefighter in my spare time!

[YAZER]

Propane and Oil installer/service tech. Still burning wood in my small evaporator

[flhr10]

Operating Engineer, Local 18 Cleveland, Oh. 29 yrs. Also own 104 acres that I rent out but we kept 10 acres of it for a hayfield for a few cattle.

[pennslytucky]

i went to northwestern tech for big diesel/ag and worked my dink off for 4 years before i got smart and quit working to make everyone else money. started building pulling drivelines in 02 and working on farm equipment on call.

own a small truckin company i started back in 04, now have leased trucks that do all the truckin and i just do paperwork. my wife and I run 2 pilot cars and take oversize loads (mostly mod homes) wherever they need to go inside a 250 mile radius. we move pipe, houses, swimming pools, and everything from a cardboard box of million dollar tooling to 500,000lb superloads. we bought 11 acres surrounded by gameland 2 years ago, pulled a free old mobile on it to get us there permanently and now ive also become a "building contractor" haha. have a few beef bulls, 5 piggies, 10 campbell ducks, a 25x40 year round greenhouse with mostly hydroponic and aquaponic systems (not quite finished yet), an acre of apple/pear/sweet cherry trees and blueberries/grapes in a small vinyard. we do all our own food if we can and butcher/preserve it all here at home. last year i adopted my daughter (who never knew her genetic dad) who is now 5. she helps do it all :) helped fmaily do maple since i was little and this year is my first for maple on my new place.

trying to be debt free. not quite there yet, but we are very close. kinda like modern homesteaders i guess

[newmod]

Firefighter/paramedic own construction company

[dobbs4m16]

John Deere dealer parts inventory control/manager past few years. Prior to that, nearly 40 years automobile dealer parts. Two sons with wives, one son a teacher, one son a welder, and a my wife housekeeps and baby sits. All involved in working two farms, and enjoy maple sappin'.

[PATheron]

High voltage substation electrician

[khuberpt]

Physical Therapy in CT, third year doing maple syrup with my two daughters and two dogs. I need to continue this hobby as now I have a son. We all love it.

[SDdave]

Update: no longer landscaping. Now Sales Manager for a landscape supply retailer.

[Sugarmaker]

After 42 years working at various office roles in industry, I have been retired for a year, and now get to play in the sandbox, full time. (Very interesting to see all the skills, except for Randy!:))
Regards,
Chris

[WI Sugarpop]

I worked in the construction industry in several different positions for 40 years and retired a couple years ago. I think I'm busier now than before. My wife is still working so I have house chores and cooking to do. My favorite cooking is out in the maple shack.:)

[chrismxz583]

13 years in heavy highway construction everthing from ironworking, carpenter, operator engineer, and foreman.
3 years as the aggregate operations manager for a large company in the southern tier.

[buckeye gold]

I retired in 2006 after 31 years in Natural Resources. Twenty seven plus of that at a state Fish Hatchery where I was Superintendent for 21 years. I now work part time for Lowes as a garden center CSA. Now I hunt, Fish, cut firewood, make Maple syrup, run a non profit that ministers to incarcerated teenage boys and aggravate the Mrs., these are my favorite things to do.

[wurmdert]

Own my own 1 man logging business. Cut by hand with cable skidder.

[Zucker Lager]

New to MT and am really enjoying it all, this thread is really an interesting one showing how just about anyone can be interested in sugaring. I am a retired industrial pipefitter / machine repair for GM almost 30 years. Love to tinker and build things. We have a small mixed wood lot 55 acres in Sugar Camp Wisconsin and are just getting started tapping for home use and love it. Up grading from a turkey fryer to a single batch pan this year. Jay

[Cedar Eater]

I'm retired, so what I do for a living is pursue happiness. Having a few moments of inner peace per day is close enough to catching happiness. I have a house in the woods and a wife who tolerates me. Life is Good. When I was careering, I was an engineer for an oil company.

My amateur skills include: logging, firewood manufacture (and destruction), deer blind building, food plot planting, deer population control, biodiesel production, wine production (and destruction), pole barn building, electrician, pipefitter, plumber, HVAC technician.

[RevDoc]

I am the Head of a Priory, and manage the Priory's Grange.

Retired College Department Chair.

[Aggravated Farmer]

We own and operate our dairy farm. milking 200 head 3 times daily. we raise our own beef cattle. have a total of about 550 head on the farm. We have a grain operation too. farm a total about 1,500 acres.

My father and I have two beehives, expanding to four this year. I already plan on expanding to another eight next year.

My cousin and I decided to tap for the fun of it in february. We may convert an old utility shed in our woods to a sugar shack and do many more trees next year.

[harrison6jd]

arborist running my own small tree service company, hobby farming with some sales, firewood producer.

[jhamblett]

Air traffic controller, controlling airplanes in southern New York and Connecticut out of Nashua NH

[Rooster4Hire]

Director of Technology at a small Central NY hospital

[Snappyssweets]

Retired now chasing deer, ducks, geese and fish.
Kayaking in the nice weather.

Formerly I was an Over The Road Trucker who specialized hauling Yachts and Cabin Cruisers, Ski Boats and boats for Movie sets.

[blucoondawg]

I am a heavy equipment operator with Local 139 Operating Engineers, I have been working utilities construction the last 5 years. I get laid off for the later part of winter until the weight limits come off in spring so I am going to get back into syrup for something to do.

[DonMcJr]

I'm a Plumber/Pipefitter for 21 years now...9 more til I retire at 51 years old!

I'm also a Beekeeper and President/Founder of our local Beekeeping Club, Secretary for St. Clair-Detroit River Sturgeon for Tomorrow, plant my food plots for Deer and Bees, Hunt, Fish also have my US Coat Guard 25 ton Master Captains License.

So in 9 years I'll be a retired guy enjoying Beekeeping, Making Maple Syrup, a Charter Fishing trip or 2 a week, Hunting and Food Plots and alot of fishing. I also volunteer alot locally for a ton of different things.

[JP Quality Maple Syrup]

Hi everyone. My name is Jack and I have been a communications worker for 45 years. At present I do all the tech support in Canada for a product manufactured in Colorado and distributed up here in Canada by a Company in Calgary AB. I also fly all over Canada installing these phone systems in major Hotels but seriously retiring in June. Along with starting Maple Syrup I am stating an apiary for bees in the back of our 32 acres. At present I am working out a deal for some Maple trees as my friend across the road has his property up for sale. I have no Maples on my side so my investment and two years of hard work building the shack and putting in my evaporator myself was a gamble but or the love of doing syrup was worth the gamble. Now, if you could tap cedars I would be set. I have a couple of leads so we will see. I can at least put this season in. I have to say also that for those of us newbies and to all the wonderful addicts and enthusiasts, your replies and interest in helping others is most gratifying and respect to you all for that. To The Maple Guys I love my Lapierre Waterloo Small 24 x 60 evaporator. I believe you had a big hand in designing this unit. Awesome

[Sunny]

I am a sign language interpreter, full time in education, part time video relay and private practice interpreter. So I wave my hands around a lot.;)
My previous career was directing a therapeutic horseback riding center.

[Bschulthess]

Before I retired I did computer technical support. Now I live off of savings and a pension. I still do computer support, but not for pay, I volunteer at a local non-profit.


Bruce