MEMBER PROFILE

BAKER'S ACRES
by Terry Coleman

Earl and Bonita Baker operate Baker’s Acres in a beautiful area of Michigan near Beulah in Benzie County. The family farm, consisting of 125 acres, will be a centennial property in 2003. An uncle of Earl's owned the property and began tapping sometime in the 1920's. Earl's father then moved from Ohio in 1931, purchased the property and went on with the sugaring. The sugar bush was only running 100 taps during his father’s time and the boiling was done on two brick arches with two flat pans on each.

In 1956, Earl purchased the property and built a new sugarhouse. It is approximately 16'x26' with an extra 34' of wood storage area. Production went to 1000 taps and a 3'x12' three-pan Vermont rig was added. The front pan was shallow flues and the others were flat. After one year, he decided to go bigger so he switched to a 5'x14' three pan Vermont with a true flue pan in the rear. By the mid 60's, taps were up to 2400 and more changes were needed. Earl lengthened the arch to 18' and added an extra 4' flue pan. Also, the arch was converted from wood to oil. Oil was only 14 cents per gallon. Oil was burned for five years, and then they changed back to wood.

Wanting to cut down their size in the early 70's after their six daughters were no longer around to help; the Baker's shortened the arch back to 14'. They have gradually reduced taps from 4800 buckets to 1300 all on gravity tubing. Seven stainless milk tanks in the woods and a pick-up with tank/pump make for quick gathering now. A small osmonics R/O also aids in the speed of boiling. Bonita does most of the boiling and Earl does the gathering. The Baker's keep enough syrup for local customers and bulk the rest.

Earl told me that he attended the very first meeting of the MMSA and joined as soon as they organized. Leroy Worden, whom many of you know, worked at the Baker's bush before starting his own. Mr. Baker said that making syrup is just a habit now and he doesn't want to break it The Baker's are happy with their current set-up and are not planning any changes. To visit Baker's Acres, take Homestead Road east from Beulah 6 miles to Pioneer Road. Turn left and go 1-1/4 miles. It's a cement block house (134 N. Pioneer Road).