SAP FLOWIN' MAPLE WEEKEND
By Travis Moshier Endeavor News

Glenn Dunn of the New Sons of Dunn Family Farm were among the maple producers who took part in the Potter/Tioga Maple Weekend tours last weekend. Dunn and his family entertained nearly 200 people in all.

Sap was running over the weekend and so were the fourth annual Potter/Tioga Maple Weekend tours.

Local sugar shacks opened up their doors to locals, tourists and anyone else interested in learning how maple products are made. Among those visiting local sugarbushes was a group of foreign diplomats who spent the weekend in Potter County.

Donna Ianson, of Brydonson Farm in Coudersport, said that this year was the best turnout she has seen in the four years.

"It did very well," she said. "We had loads of people - - so many we couldn't keep count."

Ianson said that she had visitors from Washington, D.C., Maryland and New Jersey as well as several from downstate.

"The tour lets people know where and how it is made," she said. "Some people think syrup comes right out of the tree."

"I think they all had a good time and learned a lot," she said of those participating in the tour.

The weather has also helped this year, Ianson said.

"It's a good year," she said of production, "and we've been due for one."

Howard Rathbun, of Rathbun Farms in Shinglehouse, echoed that sentiment.

"We've probably made twice what we did last year already," he said, adding that the season might last another week.

Rathbun Farms opens its door all year 'round for tours.

"We had a good turnout the previous weekend," Rathbun said. "A lot of people were in camps and around for the Easter weekend."

Although he had an average turnout for the organized tours, Rathbun still feels the promotion is good for the area.

"It brings tourists in," he said, adding he had been active with sales this year.

Glenn Dunn, of the new Sons of Dunn Family Farm, who's also an agricultural science technical assistant at Coudersport High School, saw more than 180 at his sugarbush.

Some of the recent demand in maple syrup may come as part of the drive for healthier foods, Dunn surmised.

"It's an all-natural product and natural sugar the body can take care of," He said. "People like coming out and seeing it cooked in front of their own eyes."

Dunn added that the typical winter brought warmer days and cold nights, making for excellent sap yield and helping to bring the supply for maple products closer to meeting demand.

Maple sap doesn't just make sugars or candies. The market is expanding because the technology is allowing various products to be made from the sugar.

There is potential for Pennsylvania to be just as good or better with maple production than Vermont, Dunn said. "We just have to get people interested and trees tapped."

Sparking interest is one of the main goals of the tours, which are hosted by members of the Potter and Tioga Maple Producers Association. Fourteen sugar shacks in Potter and Tioga counties opened their doors this past weekend, with seven of those being in Potter County.

Other Potter County operators offering tours were Hamilton Maple Products, Charles B. Nelson Sons, Wending Creek Farms and Sappy's Sugar Shack.