Curious to see what it takes to produce international-award-winning maple syrup? Come see three generations of Mances engage in the alchemy of boiling sap into syrup, then take a walk through the sugarbush to see just where it all starts. In just a short half-mile, the woods walk will cover both areas of historic and younger sugarbush. Discussion will highlight strategies the Mances use to make their sugarbush more bird-friendly, and well as the impact that high deer populations have had on their sugarbush management. The Mances will also discuss the current tubing system as well as the 1940’s galvanized piping system used by their predecessor. We’ll visit the site of the pre-1940 sugarhouse, the 1940-1979 sugarhouse and discuss more current technology in the 2024 sugarhouse. Warm up with coffee and hot chocolate, to accompany samples of syrup and sugar on snow.

Mance Family Tree Farm is a Bird-Friendly Maple Producer. 

Participants should dress for the weather. We will be walking a bit over a half mile on wood roads with some detours into the woods on uneven terrain. One steep section but otherwise moderate slopes. No pets please. Trails will not be plowed but snow is not expected to be deep -- snowshoes are likely not advisable except for seasoned veterans.