Governor Kathy Hochul on Sunday issued a proclamation declaring March 18-19 and 25-26 as Maple Weekends in New York State. The Governor also highlighted that New York maple producers experienced a record-breaking year in 2022, producing 845,000 gallons of maple syrup, and the State continues to rank second in the nation in maple production. Governor Hochul participated in New York State Maple Weekend by visiting Moore’s Maple Shack & Pancake House in Freedom.
“Maple syrup production is a New York State tradition that dates back more than four centuries, and the homegrown maple industry is a key part of our agritourism and economy,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m proud to celebrate the 28th anniversary of “Maple Weekends,” which recognizes those who work hard to bring an ever-expanding variety of maple products from tree to table – keeping the maple industry a cherished part of our state’s heritage and economy.”
In addition to its ranking for maple production, New York is also home to the largest resource of tappable maple trees within the United States and more than 2,000 maple sugar makers. In 2022, New York’s maple industry used 2.9 million taps, tying 2021’s record for the largest number of taps used in a single year. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets supports the maple industry through the New York State Budget—which includes funding for promotion and educational programs—as well as through investments in research projects, such as Cornell University’s Maple Program’s Arnot Teaching Forest, and through its NYS Grown & Certified and Taste NY marketing programs.
Throughout the month of March each year, and, in particular, during the weekends of March 18-19 and 25-26, maple farms across the state open their doors to the public to provide a chance to taste pure maple syrup, right from the source, and experience the unique family tradition of making maple syrup in New York State. Producers, including many of those that are NYS Grown & Certified, offer tours and pancake breakfasts, sell maple products, and demonstrate the syrup-making process, which includes the traditional system of hanging buckets on trees or more modern methods of production using vacuum systems to increase the yield of sap per tree. Maple Weekends in 2023 will take place at nearly 150 maple sugarmakers’ farms, boosting agritourism across New York State.
A searchable list of Maple Weekend events is available at mapleweekend.nysmaple.com.
