First Crop

The optimism I expressed in my first letter was quickly wiped away by 70-degree weather in early February. The crop averages ran from 25% to 60% of a good year. Quality was also quite low being dark or of poor flavor. That sums up the Maple Syrup season of the year 2000. Let's all look ahead to next year with hope and optimism.

The fall tour is coming up September 23rd. We will be visiting the thumb area. Craig and Sandy Arnold are working on the arrangements. They are doing a great job and we should have another fine Fall Tour. You can find all the details later in this newsletter. We do not yet have anything lined up for 2001. If you would be interested in hosting a tour in your area, please contact any board member or myself.

We have an updated cookbook printed and ready for you. The price is the same as before, $.80. You can place your order when you register for the Fall Tour. We are also working on a large cookbook. It should be ready by the Winter Meeting January 20, 2001. Many, many thanks to Jean Maday for putting everything together. Great job, Jean!

A new food bill, HR-5196 has been passed by both the Michigan House and Senate. It is 85 pages long and very detailed. The effects that it is going to have on us are still very confusing. We will to try to have a representative from the Michigan Department of Agriculture come to the January Meeting and explain it to us. Speaking of the January Meeting, we will be back at the Doherty Hotel in Clare. The date is Saturday, January 20, 2001.

The Annual NAMSC and IMSI joint meeting is Thursday October 26 through Saturday, October 28. Mary Douglass has been organizing an MMSA Charter Bus Trip. You have a letter with the details. Seats are still available, so if you are interested, please hurry and contact Mary. It sure is sounding like a fun trip and should be educational as well.

I look forward to seeing you at the Fall Tour in September. Enjoy the remainder of the summer with all the beauty and splendor God has placed around us.

Larry Haigh
President
Michigan Maple Syrup Association