Welcome to the Maine Maple Producers Association
We provide this site to inform you of some of the wonderful things one can do with Maine maple syrup. We also have a large membership of maple producers. So please enjoy our site and come back often.
Maine Maple Sunday will be March 25, 2012. MMPA will be providing a map and data base for participating sugarhouses during the second week of February. Please check in then for more information about this exciting family event.
Maine Maple Syrup
Always Pure...........Always Natural..........Always loved..........Enjoy the Natural Sweetness of Maine's Maple Syrup
Pure Maine maple syrup with a hint of the great north woods in it, has been brightening the flavor of fine, downeast food since long before the colonists arrived. Now, hundreds of years later, the quality is excellent, the degree of sweetness is fixed by law, and the uniquely delicious taste still varies as it always has. Sometimes the syrup is dark and rich, sometimes pale gold and delicate. It all depends on the soil and terrain, the wind and the weather, just like wine.
News
MMPA held it's annual meeting on the final day of the Maine Agricultural Trade Show in the middle of a snowstorm. Nonetheless, the meeting was very educational, infomative and actually well attended even though traveling was a challenge, at best. The biggest news from this meeting is that the Maine Maple Producers Association is willing to adopt new maple grade standardization laws. In the next few years, all maple states and provinces in Canada will follow one universal grade law. In the past, members of MMPA voiced concerns about this new grading system but those concerns have been addressed and the members of MMPA are overwhelmingly supporting the adoption of this new law. Representative Russell Black will be bringing these proposals to the Maine Legislature during January 2013, for a 2014 adoption. Sugarmakers will be given a minimum of a two year period to implement these changes.
MMPA makes changes in its leadership team
Lyle Merrifield of Merrifield Farm has been elected to the position of President while Eric Ellis of Maine Maple Products is the new vice-president. Michael Bryant of Hilltop Boilers LLC remains the secretary/treasurer/webmaster. Two directors were voted in for a three year term. Collin Neal of Day Mountain Maple will be serving his second term while Kevin Brannen of Springbreak Maple and Honey will be new to the board of directors. We especially welcome Kevin as he brings an Aroostook county perspective to the board.
Membership Renewal Time
Membership renewal invoices have been sent out along with Maine Maple Sunday registration forms. Anyone wanting to renew their membership is encouraged to do so in a timely manner. To receive the Maple Digest and be added to our extremely popular Maple Sunday Map, your dues, membership application, and map form must be submitted by January 31, 2012. New or renewing members can also go to the membership section of this website for a membership application. Dues are still extremely affordable at $25 per member. Being on the Maine Maple Sunday listing is worth much more than this and that is just one of the many benefits of membership. Please use the contact our secretary section in the drop down menu above, if you have any questions or concerns about membership.
MMPA held it annual raffle drawing on Thursday, January 12, 2012, at out annual meeting. Once again, Bill Mason donated a Maple Syrup Evaporator as the first place prize. Rod Mynick of Farmingdale won this evaporator valued at nearly $1000.00. The second place prize was a case of 12 quarts which was won by Ben Loiko of Vassalboro. Winning a beautiful, large Maple Gift Basket in third place is Lisa Carter of Springvale. Many thanks to everyone that bought a raffle ticket this year and helped support MMPA and our efforts to promote Pure Maine Maple Syrup around the state of Maine.