Maple syrup producers from the Wayne County region joined together again for their winter convention, following the Pennsylvania Farm Show. They heard the glad news that sales of their products, at the show, are increasing year by year.
Meeting at the Bethany United Methodist Fellowship Hall, before they were served a hearty pancake and sausage luncheon (with real maple syrup, of course), a report was given on the Farm Show. After lunch, on schedule were updates about the March 20-21 tour of maple syrup farms, and discussion of invasive bugs threatening their trees.
Collectively, they are the Northeastern Pennsylvania Maple Syrup Producers Association.
Thom Helmacey, Treasurer, reported that their Association brought in $81,504.05 in sales at the PA. Farm Show, held over eight days in January, in Harrisburg. He compared this five years ago, when $42,585.50 was taken in. Aside from their sale of bottled syrup and other products, the biggest draw proves to be cotton candy, ice cream and yogurt. They sold about 6,000 bags of cotton candy. Income from their maple products alone, totaled $60,381. There are considerable expenses, including mileage for people who came down to the show to work at their stand, insurance and other items.
In two deliveries, 185 gallons of maple syrup were brought down to the show. Only 11 gallons went unsold.
Helmacey noted that sales have increased despite the poor economy. He suggested that more people are taking day trips, and attending the state show. Over 30,000 people attended.
Said Ron Shemanski, Association Director, having their maple products at the show where the public can actually talk with the producers is not like having it in a grocery store shelf. At the store, he said, “the clerk doesn’t know the difference between your product and Aunt Jemima.”
Peggy Simons, Association President, with her husband Bon Simons, displayed their exhibit that won second place at the Pa. Farm Show. The exhibit concerns an impending threat from the Asian Longhorn Beetle. Only the size of a dime, it bores a hole in the tree to lay its eggs. The pest arrived in 1996 in wood shipping crates and pallets, and appears to be migrating westward towards Pennsylvania. So far, cutting and burning infested trees is the only known deterrent. Unfortunately for syrup producers, maple trees are favored by the bug. Another tree pest of concern is the Emerald Ash Borer, which has been identified in Pennsylvania.
