STAHL'S SUGAR BUSH

In the syrup belt of Southern Michigan near Potterville is Stahl's sugarbush. It has a rich history behind it's doors. Michael Stahl, the operator, said that his father and grandfather made syrup on the family farm in a flat pan for four years during WWII. It was the only sweetener they had. In 1965, when Mike was a 12 year old boy scout, they were given a dollar by the leader and told to go make money with it. Mike's dad, a sheet metal worker, built him a 3'x3' pan which he set on rocks in his uncle's woods. He used his grandpa's taps and made syrup. He loved it so much that he continued this all through high school at which time he had 150 taps and a 2'x7' flat pan in 1971.

While he was in college his uncle, who worked for Maple Syrup Supplies in Potterville, bought a 2'x6' evaporator and built a building in the woods. Mike's cousin ran the bush for two years while Mike was in school and when he returned he took over again. By 1980 the building was larger, taps were maxed out at 500 and the 2'x6' and a 3'x8' were being run side by side. Mike's uncle did the investing and Mike did the boiling.

During the 1980's the buckets were replaced with tubing. In 1989 the uncle convinced Mike to get licensed. A new 24'x32' pole barn was built 1/2 mile from the woods, near the road and electricity. In it went a new Grimm 4'x12' with piggyback. The operation custom-boils 1600 taps for three neighbors in addition to it's own 500 taps. Mike is a self-employed heating contractor, so he works half days in season and boils from lunch through evening. He does not miss the old days when he would boil around the clock to keep up.

Mr. Stahl is active with the boy scouts and 12-18 year old scouts help him haul in wood, split wood, and fire during season. Troop 46 receives a percentage of the syrup which they sell with their Vermontville Association Membership status. The troop also sells the majority of Mike's whole crop with the exception of his long time customers who come to the bush. A normal season is around 400 gallons of syrup.

Mike's uncle is now dead and Mike is hoping to purchase the property and equipment from his cousin in the near future. Mr. Stahl explained that he loves sugaring because he's an outdoor person and that summer can't come without making syrup first!

To visit the operation, take 1-60 to exit 56 Potterville. Go south from exit (Hartel Road) to Island Highway. Turn left and go one mile to Royston Road. Turn right and it's down 1/2 mile.