Maple Open House Weekend is cancelled again this year, due to COVID-19, but sugar makers throughout Vermont will continue to make what the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers' Association (VMSMA) calls “the best maple syrup and specialty products in the United States.”
Vermont also makes the most syrup, continuing to lead the nation by a commanding margin as the top maple-producing state. Total U.S. maple syrup production in 2020 was 4.37 million gallons, with state maple producers' contributions accounting for 2.22 million of those gallons - or about 51 percent of total U.S. production.
The VMSMA started the statewide annual Maple Open House Weekend as a chance for Vermont sugar makers to open the doors of their sugar houses.
Despite the tour cancellation, folks across the country can still get their favorite Vermont Maple items while keeping the requisite social distance and adhering to travel restrictions by shopping at vermontmaple.org/buy-pure-maple.
While you're online and at home, you can also find links to Vermont sugar makers, watch maple videos, and use their recipes to make some maple comfort food at the VMSMA Facebook page at facebook.com/vermont.maple.
The VMSMA is also looking for two maple ambassadors, two Vermont students between the ages of 16 and 21 who have knowledge and experience with maple sugaring. The Vermont Maple Festival and VMSMA are looking for candidates to represent the Vermont maple industry at functions throughout New England for one year.
“Ambassadors promote, publicize, and educate the public with their maple knowledge,” the VMSMA writes. “They take part in fairs, festivals, and field days, and they attend most significant Vermont maple events.”
A $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to each of the two ambassadors chosen.
The selection will be made virtually via Zoom on Saturday, April 17.
Find additional information and the application at vermontmaple.org.