FIRST CROP

The 39th Annual Meeting of the Michigan Maple Syrup Association was a success with well over two hundred people attending. The weather cooperated, the speakers were informative and the third annual syrup contest was a success.
Into the annual meeting goes considerable effort from many people who behind the scenes made the Annual Meeting a success. I would like to recognize the following, who took time and made the event a success. The registration is handled by the Haigh Family with help from the Simpson Family. Larry Haigh initiated a pre-registration two years ago that considerably speeds up the process once you get to the meeting. The pre-registration, meeting registration and goody packets are labor intensive. A special thanks to them for the countless hours they devote to this activity. The breakout leaders also donate time, energies, and courage. Special thanks go to the following breakout session leaders:

Karen Youdes and Sue Kistler-Value Added
Brian Vissers and Jean Maday-Beginners
Larry Haigh-Internet
Mary Fogle Douglass-Your Assoc. and IMSI Delegate
Tim Boonstra and Russ Kidd-What's New in the Woodlot?

The winner of the third annual maple syrup contest was Tom Cook of Niles, Michigan. This is only Tom's second year of producing quality maple syrup. The winner of the Light Amber class was Terry Coleman of Ludington. Fred Bates, also of Ludington, was the winner of the Dark Amber class. A distinct West Michigan (East Shore) phenomenon here. Tom Cook's grand prizewinner came from the Medium Amber Class. There were twenty-six entries this year, a sizable increase from last year. We would like to thank the judges who spent all morning and their lunch hour in making this project possible. Terry DeLoughary organized the event with Steve Youdes and Earl Girard serving as judges.

Next year marks the 40th Annual Winter Meeting of the Michigan Maple Syrup Association. The event will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2000 at the Doherty Hotel in Clare, Michigan. The Y2K problem will hopefully be resolved by that date.

We would like to thank our outgoing Board Members. Retiring from the Board this year were three members, Terry DeLoughary, Paul Williams, and Earl Girard. We thank each of you for your contribution and input in the activities of the Association. I am sure the Association has been made better because of your input and participation.

We would like to welcome the three new board members who begin three-year terms. Jean Maday, of Potterville, is the owner of Maple Syrup Supplies Co. After a nearly thirty-year career with the State of Michigan, Jean recently retired. Steve Youdes of Eaton Rapids operates a 4000 tap unit situated on his parents (Don and Helen Youdes) property near Holt. To provide for his family, Steve is a Clockmaker in the off-season. Craig Arnold of Lum, near Lapeer, has a 400-tap unit. The Arnold's will be hosting the Fall Tour the year after next.

To address the business of the Association, members of the Board chair various committees. These action groups also include association members to assist in the various interests and activities. .The following is the Committee and the Chair for this year. Please find a group that you have interest in, then call the Chair and become involved.

Promotion-Brian Vissers
Legislative-Mary Fogle Douglass
Fall Tour-Craig Arnold
Maple Syrup Contest-Steve Youdes
Constitution & By-Laws-Brian Vissers
Nominations-Ron Kistler
Annual Meeting-John Anton
Membership-Larry Haigh
Honorarium-Marvin Besteman
Grants-Mary Fogle Douglass
Newsletter-Cathi Bates
Budget & Audit-John Anton
Historian-Jean Maday

The Farm Service Agency, through their disaster assistance program, is making available assistance for crop deficiencies. If your sap production was 35% in the past years, you may be eligible. Contact your local Farm Service Agency if you feel you may benefit.

Remember that there are two festivals celebrating Maple, The Vermontville and Shepherd Festivals are celebrated on the last weekends in April. Both are fine events with proceeds going back into the community.

As I write this, the season is about over here in mid-Michigan. We had good average production with one quart per tap as the general production level. Much better than the season we experienced last year. There were some exceptions as Larry Haigh reports about 0.43 gallons per tap this year.

The next general meeting of the Association will be the annual Fall Tour. The annual event is held on the last Saturday of September. This year the date is September 25 and the event will be held in the Rose City area, hosted by Ron Thomas. We hope to see many of you there.

John Anton, President
Michigan Maple Syrup Association