News


Governor's Tree Tapping
Everyone is invited to attend the governor's tree tapping on March 15, 2010 at the Blaine House.  This well publicized event will occur at 10:30, rain, snow, or shine.  It is a good opportunity to join sugar makers from around the state in our capital city.

An Exciting New Year
The Maine Maple Producers Association held their annual meeting at the Augusta Civic Center on January 14, 2010. Maple producers from all over the state and some from Canada attended the afternoon meeting. Lyle Merrifield, of Merrifield Farms, was named president again after a very successful first year. Eric Ellis, of Maine Maple Products, was named as vice president again. Under the leadership of these two men, the association looks to grow in 2010 and expand our presence throughout the state. Please feel free to contact MMPA through the "contact our secretary" section of the website at any time if there is something that MMPA can help you with. We look forward to another exciting year.

Congratulations to the Winners 
Each year at our annual meeting MMPA has a raffle drawing.  This marked the fifth year that we have successfully raised monies this way.  Nearly two thousand tickets were sold at $1 a piece or 6 for $5.  The winners this year are:

First Place- Dave Batchelder- a Hobby Evaporator                   
Second Place- Lorraine Jordan- 12 quarts of Pure Maine Maple Syrup
Third Place- Dan Day - Maple Products Gift Basket                 


And the Winners Are:
MMPA hold a maple syrup contest each year at our annual meetings.  Kathy Hopkins from the Extension Office runs this in a very scientific manner for us.  This year the winners are as follows:
Grade A Light Amber- 1st Place- Pierre and Martin Lariviere
                                 2nd Place- Merrifield Farms
                                 3rd Place-  Kinney's Maple

Grade A Medium Amber- 1st Place- Pierre and Martin Lariviere

                                      2nd Place-  Merrifield Farms

Grade A Dark Amber-  1st Place- Moonlight Maple

                                  2nd Place- Pierre and Martin Lariviere
                                  3rd Place- Merrifield Farms
Grade A Extra Dark Amber- 1st Place- Pierre and Martin Lariviere
Orlando and Gertrude Small Best of Show Award- Pierre and Martin Lariviere


Maple Statistics
The numbers are in. Maine produced 395,000 gallons of maple syrup in 2009. This is an increase of 65% over last years production of 240,000 gallons. This moves Maine back in to the number two spot in the nation for maple syrup production. Nationally, an average of 22% increase in production was seen.

April Monthly MMPA Meeting
Please join the directors of MMPA on April 1, 2010 at 7:00 PM at the Farm Bureau Building for our monthly business meeting. Feel free to come and be a part of these informative meetings.  Active participation is always encouraged and appreciated.  Meetings will have a short technical session followed by a business meeting and refreshments.