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We all like a sweet treat now and then, some of us more than others.  But for baking, cooking, and adding to your coffee what's the best sweetener?  Well from an environmental impact perspective and from a health perspective we think maple sugar is the clear winner.  Maple sugar is made by boiling down maple syrup, stirring until it crystalizes, and sifting. Nothing is added and no extensive processing.  Maple syrup is made from boiling the sap of maple trees, again nothing added and no extensive processing. The maple trees are in a natural forest that require no outside resources (like fertilization,...

This was our second year participating in the "Birder Broker" program  sponsored by The Vermont Center for Ecostudies. This is an annual survey by an expert birder in our woods during the summer breeding season to identify  the species present.  Nathaniel Sharp has conducted the survey for us both years and his ability to identify birds based on their calls and a quick glimpse in the woods is amazing. The survey consists of walking a mile loop and noting the number of each species present.  The same route is used three times, one week apart.  All of the data is entered onto a database...

See the results of the 2021 Bird Survey conducted in Barred Woods sugarbush.

During the course of 2021 we obtained Organic Certification for our maple syrup and many of our maple products.  The certification was complete by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, NOFA-VT, which is accredited by the USDA since 2002.  The certification included an inspection of all of our equipment, procedures, sugarwoods, and records to ensure they comply with the rigorous organic food requirements.  Although we were already following most of the organic practices, we did pick up some good pointers going through the certification process.              Isn't all Maple Syrup Organic? We usually think...