Maple Syrup for Days!

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Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. 
Proverbs 16:3

Do you ever wonder if something you start will pan out?  I feel like that is an everyday occurrence here on the farm.  We have all these ideas that we try and some just never work out and others blossom like crazy.  

A few years ago, we were at the Farm Show and Garrett was watching someone talk about Maple Syrup and tapping the trees.  He thought that it was really interesting and for an 8 year old we were impressed with his desire to watch and learn.  So he asked if we could try it.  Well we thought what the heck we can try and make a little for us and see what happens.  Well each year since we have just been growing and growing in the maple syrup area of the farm.  We have found a new thing that our land and God provides for us and so we want to provide something fresh for the community.  

Last year was the first year we really started selling it and we only made 4 gallons, which really didn't last long.  So when starting our planning for the year we knew we needed to expand on Maple Syrup and we set a goal for 10 gallons.  Now if you know anything about making Maple Syrup it takes approximately 40 gallons of sap from the trees to make one gallon of syrup.  We didn't know if we would be able to maintain all this and we certainly knew that we would need to invest in a more efficient evaporating process so we did! Well after it was all said and done, we completed 15 total gallons for syrup this year.  Enough for us to store for ourselves and of course lots to sell at the market! it was a great season and the boys they run a lot of the operation.  Mom is pretty much along for the ride, taking pictures, and of course finishing the syrup and packing.  They would help keep track of the sap count, how many gallons, fix the fire, and so much more.  I find that every day life on the farm is an opportunity to teach and for them to learn.  

Even though Maple syrup season is behind us for this year we can look back and we can say we met our goal! It was overwhelming for a few days, but I try hard to pray about all the things that we do and ask God to Bless each and every day.  At first, we were nervous as the trees weren't really producing a lot and then one day the flood gates opened up.  The success of reaching the end of one season on the farm almost makes the struggles at the beginning worth it.  Even though we had to tap trees in feet of snow, plow our way to the trees, and struggle to get out there some days, to finish up with Connor in tow and the boys excited to have hit our goal plus extra it really made the long days worth it. 

Now we just have to increase our goal to 20 gallons next year and I was talking to some of cooking and baking friends on how to make maple candy! I am hoping to maybe add some of those in the coming years! Even though Maple Syrup is a short season, it really is a fun season and one that I really enjoy watching the final product hit the shelf.  I know that no matter what God Blesses each and every farmer out there because if one product fails, another succeeds it just how you look at the failures vs the successes.  We all hope that we have that one year where things go well in every thing we do, but we know that is not always possible so be sure you pray that God Blesses your day and your actions; from there things will be incredible whether they succeed or they fail. 

Always Farming with Faith & Family!
God Bless 
Amanda 









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