The Minnesota Maple Syrup Producers Association will hold its fall membership meeting and sugarbush tours in the west-central Minnesota area on Saturday, October 4, 2008. The membership meeting will begin at 10:30 AM at Spens Sugar Shack, near Rochert, Minnesota. The program will include committee reports, industry updates, MN State Fair report, and a pot luck lunch followed by tours of area Minnesota maple syrup operations. Members are reminded to bring their syrup refractometers for a free re-calibration "tune-up".
Association President, Jerry Jacobson of rural Vergas, MN invites all Minnesota maple syrup producers to the session. Fall colors should be at their peak and it will be a great opportunity to "talk maple" with other produces from around the state. Tours of at least three local maple syrup producers' operations, known as "sugarbush tours", should be of great interest. Operations to be visited will range from a small hobbyist producer using and a "flat pan" evaporator to a licensed and certified organic producer using a commercial evaporation system. Tour details will be made available at the business meeting.
The Minnesota Maple Syrup Producers' Association is open to all persons involved in any aspect of maple syrup production, processing or marketing. Membership is statewide from the arrowhead region to the west-central area and southern Minnesota. Prospective members are encouraged to attend and join the Association. Annual dues are $25 individual and $30 two-person.
For more information and to make reservations for the fall meeting, contact Jerry Jacobson, President of the MMSPA at 218-863-2508 or Stu Peterson, Secretary at 218-758-2796 or visit us at www.mnmaple.org .
