Expanding our maple operation

written by

Sandra Ressler

posted on

February 11, 2024

We have some neighbors (about a mile away) who live on a wooded lot (approximately 9 acres) with lots of maple trees.  They have attended our Maple Open House/Farm Tour in the past and have offered to let us tap their trees.

So this year we took them up on it!  Back in the summer, we walked through the woods to get a feel for how many maple trees there are in that woods and decided it was definitely worth the investment.  We signed a contract - known as a Sugarbush Lease - and installed the tubing lines and vacuum system.  This addition will put us well over 1000 taps!!

Yes, it IS a LOT of work!

tap2024.jpg

More from the blog

When equipment breaks down...

When equipment breaks down...

When we make maple syrup, the finished product goes from the evaporator into a stainless steel insulated collection container, then through a filter press into a canning box.  The canning box keeps the syrup at the right temp for bottling (180 degrees) as we dispense it into jars and seal them.  It's a continuous process that can't be shut down instantaneously.  You can't turn off a wood fire (in the evaporator) that's burning at 800 degrees or more.Last week one day, our syrup filter press broke, and we had to make an emergency trip to a nearby small repair shop.  It was a bit stressful trying to slow the fire down enough to interrupt the process for a half hour or so!  But we did it and everything turned out fine.  Whew!  Good thing we have a great team!!Then it happened again a couple days later...this time in the evening - after hours for the repair shop.  Now what?!?!  Fortunately we were able to reach of someone from the repair shop and they accommodated us in our emergency.  Once again...we are so grateful for community/neighbors/people who work together and help each other out in times of need.  (Remember "When the cows escaped"?!)  Farm life 🙂!!Pretty sure it's welded good and tight now!!

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Elm Run Farms

  • 16808 Burkhart Road
    Orrville OH 44667
  • 330-317-7283