Maple Syrup Supplies
Jean Maday – 2005 MMSA Honorary Member
570 E. Main Street / P.O. Box 245
Potterville, MI 48876-0245
517 645 7305

Jean Maday, this year’s recipient for the honorary member award, is a leader in the Michigan Maple Syrup Association, always attending meetings and tours, representing Michigan in the maple production industry. Her involvement with maple began in the mid-1970s when she and a friend started working in the sugarbush and began their own maple syrup supply business. “My friend moved to a subdivision with lots of maple trees,” she said, “and I just started helping.”

Their original operation featured a new product of the time, plastic tubing for collecting sap. Unfortunately in 1983, her friend died and Maday was on her own. Working full time for the state of Michigan (retired 1997) and running Maple Syrup Supplies quickly became very time consuming and therefore, she stepped back from the actual production, while still staying very involved in the industry.

Her supply company provides producers with everything from spiles, filters and pails to evaporators, reverse osmosis machines, and tubing. Although Maday’s business is not an outlet for maple products, Maday said that she always refers people to local producers in their area — and it seems as if interest in maple is on the rise. “Business has increased substantially on the hobby level,” she said.

Maday has always been an active MMSA member, and has served the association in many capacities: secretary, historian, vice president and president. She also compiled a history of the association and initiated the two cookbook revisions that have served the members over the years. Maday was the Michigan Delegate to the North American Maple Conference / International Maple Syrup Institute for two years and has served as an alternate delegate. She says that her favorite maple memory was receiving the award in January.

“It never occurred to me that I’d ever get it,” she stated. “It was completely unexpected. We always think in terms of producers [for the award].” It is fitting that after all her years of service, Maday receive the honor; she was on the board when the association began bestowing the honor. She also stated that she loves the “maple conversation” that goes with her business and the MMSA. “We’re dealing with lots of customers and friends — not just strangers.”