Newspaper Article

[Amber Gold]

Just found out the local paper wants to do an article on me and my sugar house. Completely out of the blue. The reporter called the house and started asking questions. He saw all my tubing in the woods and got my number from my neighbor.

Have you guys noticed an increase in visitors, retail sales, and etc. after having your sugar house in the paper? Did people mention they say they saw you in the paper? With newspaper hurting lately I wasn't sure how many people still read it. This is my first year so I don't have a sales/visitor baseline.

Thanks

Josh

[mapleman3]

Most Definately! go for it.

[Dill]

Fosters?
Go for it, it can't hurt anything. Lots of people read the paper, or like me read it online for local news.

[KenWP]

At least it free advertiseing. Let people know your the human behind the blue tubeing.

[mfchef54]

I agree go for it. If you don't have a sales base it may just be an excellent FREE way to let people know you are doing it. Even though the media says that people aren't reading newspapers, local newspapers are where people get news about their communities.

[Amber Gold]

I'm planning on doing it and where it's my first year I figure it'll be a great way to get my name out there. As far as I know I'm the only sugar maker in the Seacoast and the next closest one I know of is almost 30 miles away. I should have a large base to pull from.

The reporter is coming over tomorrow afternoon and I should be in Friday or Saturday's paper. Looking forward to it.

[Dill]

As far as I know I'm the only sugar maker in the Seacoast and the next closest one I know of is almost 30 miles away. I should have a large base to pull from.


I wouldn't go that far. I'd say your the only one for 4 or 5 miles. There are a lot of small operations in this area. And a few medium 500-1000 tappers also.

[Amber Gold]

Where are they? Now that I think of it the only other one I know of is Bascom's in Nottingham. Are there others? There was the Sugar Shack, but they're closed and Moonlight isn't tapping this year. My mistake, I wasn't aware of others.

[Dill]

Yes Bascom's are planning on doing 700-900 this year.
Moonlight is still up in the air. Sugar Momma Maple will probably tap 500 or so, but you can't get a straight answer out of her. Laroche Farm in Durham has 600 maybe 700.Athmore Farm in Lee started last year and is probably running 300 this year. And those are just first to come to mind. Not to mention people like me who are doing the 75-100 area.

[Haynes Forest Products]

The paper in town did a spread about my operation and I think my down fall was they included a picture and now nobody comes around. Heck I have to get friends to call my dog for me.

[Stickey]

Thanks Hayes.... I just blew coffee out my nose!

[Amber Gold]

Forgot about Sugar Momma's. Is Laroche the one with 600 taps in an acre or two? Where in Lee is Athmore?

[Dill]

Laroche (I'm probably miss spelling it). He's that guy. Its probably 2 acres. But it's worth the drive over to Durham. Great setup. A sugar house I could live in, compeleted with 2 woodstoves, TV, bed and living room. A big RO, 3x10 Oil fired, and that awesome shop vac tubing clearing system.
Athmore farm is on Lee Hook road, just up from the UNH organic dairy. Athmore milks 200 or so cows. He runs taps all over town. There are a couple decent size operations in Strafford also. And Gowen who just stopped 2 years ago, I think he was in Barrington, or Strafford.

[Amber Gold]

I'll check Laroche's out after the season...sounds pretty nice.

Gowen ran the Sugar Shack which is in Barrington. He got hurt...thought he was supposed to get back into it.

I've seen quite a few sugar maples in Strafford...but no sugar houses.

[Dill]

Laroche has a very short season. His sugar bush is all southern facing on a good slope, but right on ledge. It runs short and fast. He's been talking about buying in sap, but as far as I know he hasn't found a supplier.
The rumor I've heard is that Gowen has got rid of all of his sugaring stuff.

[Amber Gold]

I'm all south facing and good slope...hopefully my season isn't too short.

Do you know where he used to tap? I heard he had a pretty big operation. Wouldn't mind picking one up for next season.

[Amber Gold]

Here's the article.

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009703069875

[Dill]

Good job Josh, the article turned out well.

[3% Solution]

Alright Josh,
Good job there!!

Dave

[Amber Gold]

Thanks. I was pleasantly surprised. Hopefully I get a busy sugar house this year.

[Amber Gold]

I also made the Portsmouth Herald along with a producer in Chester:

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090322-NEWS-903220335

I should also be in the NH Wire, a free local publication. It's been a complete surprise getting the publicity...not complaining as it should boost sales.