new mapler looking for experience

[newman_maple]

I just decided to try sugaring. I really do not remember why I took up the hobby, but I did it small scale for our own use for three years boiling inside and made the decision to do more. That was last year when I used a block arch. It was a successful experiment so I am increasing this year as well. This year’s changes are mainly in boiling. I will have a new arch/pan and a new shack. This year did take a large investment that I will not make up in less than 3-4 years, but I had to get out of the weather, and I had to replace the block arch anyway. The building is multi-purpose so I did not build it just for sugaring.

You are correct that you will see what changes need made and that they will rarely be cheap. After year one, I bought “backyard Sugarin” which is a great book for a small producer. The best resource outside of this site I know of is the North American Maple Syrup Producers Manual. It is an excellent book. My wife got me mine for Christmas through our extension office.

I am no expert, but I have asked a lot of questions on this site and to others and seem to be working though my problems without too many problems. So far, everything has worked; some things better than others of course.

[Buckeye mapler]

You know, I don't know what got me started on to this, but after I learned more about it, the real question was, why didn't I start into this earlier. That is funny cause I asked my wife for that same manual for x-mas this year. I have to keep my eyes peeled for equipment on here.

[Buckeye mapler]

What have you used for labeling so far? Do you have a name that you sell your syrup under? is the feedmill your only retail outlet? do you have a website? how long do you anticipate this years production to take to sell?

[PatS]

I bought 7 barrels that were used for Hawiian Punch. Apparently what was left fermented, leaving a really pungent aroma. I tried bleach & water first, that didn't work, so I tried vinegar. Now I have seven barrels that reek of vinegar. The Hawiian punch aroma does seem to have been eliminated though. I thought of the baking soda & think it will work, just haven't been to the store to get enough for all the barrells.

The Maple Producers manual was removed from the web, however there is still a copy at this site. [URL="http://web.archive.org/web/20060429074616/http://ohioline.osu.edu/b856/"] It is a web archive computer I happened to find. Probably not updated, but there is a lot of info there that helped me. This site is better than a library, just keep reading & asking questions.

I bought a half pint & this will be my first year making more than a couple gallons over an open fire, so we're kind of in the same boat. I've got 250 sugars & 40 or so reds & assorted others & hope to tap them all over the next couple years.

[Buckeye mapler]

I know there are plenty of black maples and red maples and surely wouldn't be surprised to find a good number of sugars where i will be tapping, but it will be spring before i get out there and start figuring whats what and where our lines will run. the woods are mature and have never been tapped. there is some undergrowth, but it is pretty well clear for the most part. we do plan on tapping a few this year just to get a feel, but for the real experience, i am looking forward to helping Newman out.

[newman_maple]

I have been using Avery labels for my bottles and jugs. For bottles, I use a large label for the front and a small label for the back. It has the the required things plus a nutrition label. For jugs, I put a small label on with the name and address and attach a business card with string. No website yet. I can't see the need at this time. I figure I may not sell every last bottle this year. It will be close. If not, I will sell cheap or use it as samples when I sell at the feed store's pancake breakfast in April.

We sell our syrup under the name "Newman Family Maple Syrup" and I sell it by word of mouth from home and from the feed store only for now. A guy is renovating a 150 year old underground railroad house near here and asked if he could sell in store that will be located in the bed and breakfast he will locate there. That should be a great place to sell, but that is 2-3 years away.

[Buckeye mapler]

Sounds like you take it in stride, which is what you have to do. That underground railroad place, where is that located? i know i have heard that is passed through areas out there, but not exact on location. that does sound like a good lead for you. do you have return customers? do you go to farmers markets?

[newman_maple]

The underground railroad house is about 2 1/2 miles from me in Tranquility. It is officially called "The John T. Wilson UGRR House Restoration Project". I have been up to see the place several times over the past few months and have gotten to know the person restoring the house. He has received partial funding through the Dept. of the Interior and Ohio Historical Society so he has to follow very strict guidelines. It is a very interesting place and John T. Wilson was a very prominant man in the Civil War and in the underground railroad.

I do have return customers so this eventually lead into orders, etc.. I have not tried any farmers markets, but have considered that option when or if I feel the need to sell quickly. I will just play it by ear.

[Buckeye mapler]

I know this season I will get to ask questions to you and all, but sometimes I get thinking and just gotta spout a few off. How many hours do you figure on spending each evening?

[newman_maple]

I have no idea how many hours I will spend this season. Last year with a homemade arch and 2x3 pan, I boiled 200 hours to make 25 gallons. I should improve my boiling time by a factor of 3-4 this season, but I hope to have twice as much sap to boil.

Collection time will be a concern this year, but I will not know how much time I am looking at unless I make a trial run to the bush on my Dad's place I am tapping this season. With my setup, I would guess a minimum of 2-3 hours when the sap is running.