Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Declares March “Massachusetts Maple Month”

Warren — To mark the start of a new agricultural season in Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey declared March as Massachusetts Maple Month. Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Deputy Commissioner Winton Pitcoff joined state and local officials and representatives from the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association today at Deer Meadow Farm in Warren to promote the state’s maple sugar industry and invite residents to visit their local sugar house and purchase locally made products during the maple season.

“We are proud to tap into the sweetest of traditions in Massachusetts and support the hardworking farmers who bring us the maple syrup we love,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By choosing local syrup, you’re not just savoring a delicious treat, you’re investing in the future of sustainable farming and strengthening the community that makes it all possible.”

“Our maple sugaring operations across the state are the sweet spot of our rural economy, providing an enormous economic benefit to their communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Thanks to the relentless dedication of our farmers, we can continue to relish the exceptional flavor of our maple syrup and its many products, which remain in high demand year after year.”

Massachusetts is one of the top maple-producing states in the country, home to over 300 maple producers that produce more than 70,000 gallons per year. The sector employs over a thousand people, contributing more than $15 million to the local economy. Maple sugaring income allows many Massachusetts farms to stay in business year-round by diversifying their offerings, serving as a source of revenue during a time when most crops are dormant.

“As the weather warms up and the maple trees begin to flow, it is the perfect time to celebrate one of our most beloved local crops-maple syrup,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Our hardworking producers do not just work during the short season – they put in a year-round effort, using energy-efficient technology and sustainable practices.  By caring for over 15,000 acres of land, they help build a stronger, more resilient climate.”

Since 2018, MDAR has awarded over $700,000 in Climate Smart Agriculture Program (CSAP) Grants to 35 maple producers throughout the state. These grants have been used to offset the costs of installing updated, environmentally friendly equipment, including high-efficiency evaporators, heat recovery and reverse osmosis equipment, and photovoltaic solar arrays, lowering carbon footprints and negative environmental impacts.

“Maple sugaring is a time-honored tradition in Massachusetts, with producers having honed their craft in sugarmaking over generations,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “As with other sectors of agriculture, many of our maple producers are multi-generational family-oriented businesses that have stood the test of time. MDAR is proud to continue its support through our CSAP Grants, which make them one of the state’s most environmentally friendly sectors of agriculture as well as one of the most delicious!”

Today’s visit to Deer Meadow Farm included a tour of their boiling operation and storefront, along with a reading of a Governor’s Proclamation and ceremonial tapping of a maple tree to commemorate the official start of the season. Like most sugarhouses in Massachusetts, Deer Meadow Farm is a family-run business owned by Rich and Debbie Julian, along with their daughter, Kylee, and close family friend, Aimé Bresse. 2025 marks their tenth year of maple syrup production. The farm stewards 66 acres, tapping around 500 trees to produce roughly 80 to 85 gallons of syrup annually with plans to expand in the coming years. They sell direct at their farm and have recently begun selling their products at local farmers’ markets. During the maple sugaring season, they host open houses for visitors to learn about the boiling process and offer tours of their farmland with samples of maple syrup and cream on hand for customers to try.

"There's nothing sweeter than a visit to a Massachusetts sugarhouse during Maple Month," said Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Executive Director Kate Fox. "This season offers visitors the opportunity for authentic discovery through hands-on sugaring experiences and direct tastings—it's a sensory adventure for everyone. Come for the syrup, leave with great memories."

Maple Month will also be marked by Maple Weekend, happening on March 8^th & 9^th, when sugarhouses around the state will open their doors to visitors for tours of their operations so they can learn about the process that goes into maple production and the rich history behind the sector. Most importantly, visitors will be able to sample and purchase freshly produced maple sugar products and indulge in a pancake breakfast at select locations. Maple sugaring is one of the few agritourism activities available during the early months of the year. Between March and April, over 60,000 visitors spend more than $2 million during the sugaring season. Farms, restaurants, bed and breakfasts, country inns, and other tourist businesses share this income, primarily flowing into small towns and farm communities, supporting the rural economy.

Additionally, MDAR’s sister agency, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) hosts free maple sugaring programs at parks across the state every year during the season. These family-friendly programs provide an opportunity for visitors to learn about the process of making maple syrup including identifying maple trees to tap them and gather sap. Locations this year include Breakheart Reservation in Saugus on March 8^th and at Blue Hills Reservation in Canton on March 8^th and 9^th during Maple Weekend. The program at Breakheart Reservation will include a demonstration by DCR’s Indigenous Peoples Partnership Coordinator Leah Hopkins on the Indigenous process of making maple sugar using traditional techniques. The program at Blue Hills Reservation, held at Brookwood Farm in Canton will provide visitors with an interactive opportunity to see how maple syrup is made from start to finish. In February, DCR held maple sugaring programs at River Bend Farm at Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge and at Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in East Falmouth. For more information on DCR’s maple sugaring programs and to attend an upcoming program, visit the DCR website. 

“Maple sugaring has a rich cultural history in Massachusetts from Indigenous traditions to modern maple syrup production,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “DCR’s annual Maple Sugaring programs are a fun and affordable opportunity for children, families, and visitors of all ages to get outside, learn a new skill, and experience the sweet taste of nature.” 

"Maple syrup is a cornerstone of our agricultural heritage and vital to our local economy,” said State Senator Jake Oliveira (D – Ludlow). “Our maple producers uphold generations of tradition while protecting our forests and strengthening climate resiliency. As we celebrate Massachusetts Maple Month, I encourage everyone to support our local sugarhouses, meet the hardworking producers, and savor the flavors of our state's maple syrup."

“Our state’s maple producers are integral to both our economy and our heritage,” said State Representative Todd Smola (R – Palmer). “Their dedication to producing high-quality, locally made maple syrup not only supports our rural communities but also contributes to the sustainability and resilience of our agricultural industry. I encourage everyone to visit a local sugarhouse, support our farmers, and enjoy the sweetness of this special Massachusetts tradition.”

“Sugarmakers around Massachusetts are looking forward to a great season with many already tapping,” said Massachusetts Maple Producers Association Coordinator Melissa Leab. “While we can’t predict the weather or how the season will be, we can promise that the syrup our members produce will be the sweetest and best-tasting anywhere.”

For centuries, maple syrup has been produced and consumed in North America. Its initial availability during the tail end of the winter season signals the annual start of the agricultural awakening in Massachusetts. It is an optimistic sign that spring is around the corner. Tree tapping in Massachusetts can start as early as late January and continue through April, though March is officially Maple Month. A series of cold nights and warm days is required for the sap of sugar maple trees to flow. Once the maple sap is collected, farmers boil it down in evaporators to produce syrup. It takes more than forty gallons of sap to make one gallon of pure maple syrup.

To learn more about the maple sugaring process and find a list of sugarhouses participating in Maple Weekend, please visit the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association (MMPA). For a complete listing of maple sugar houses in the Commonwealth, visit the MassGrown website.

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