Greetings From Your President

It’s already July, and this year seems to be going by so fast. It seems the weather turned in our favor just in a lick of time for our sugaring season, as all reports at the Spring Board meeting were average to above in quantity and quality of syrup produced in Michigan. It was noted that just average to below average sugar content was the norm among Michigan Producers. Hardly any producers had major or extended sap runs but mostly steady runs. Also the National Agricultural Statistics Service figures we produced 20,000 gallons more syrup this year than 2005 season. We also moved to fifth along with Ohio as we tied with them for production in the US.

Once again, a reminder that the Fall Tour is approaching soon so please mark your calendars. The tour is scheduled for September 23, 2006 in the Ludington area. Terry Coleman and Fred Bates have lined up five Sugar Bushes for us to tour along with a lunch that we all will enjoy. More information is included in this newsletter, and please register early, as this helps facilitate the food preparation, etc.

Cathi Bates will have a couple of new sale items for sale at the Fall Tour. Sew-on MMSA logo patches for garments and new and improved MMSA coffee, tea or whatever stainless tumblers. So get yours while they are Hot!

Our neighbor to the West, Wisconsin is hosting the IMSI & NAMSC meeting this year in Green Bay. The dates are October 18th thru the 21st, 2006. For more information you should contact Gretchen Grape at her email address: grethchen_grape@yahoo.com or Joe Polak at (715)536-7251. This would be a great opportunity for you to attend since it is so close to home.

Several years ago, your association entered the cyber world by creating a website. It is very informative, and if you have never seen it you should log on at www.mi-maplesyrup.com and take a look. Our site has been evolving every year with new info, etc. A portion of the cost to keep the site up is funded by Michigan maple producers who advertise on the site. The cost of the advertising is very economical and reaches the “World” of people searching for Michigan Maple Syrup. On a sadder note, is the tapping reports/journals section of the site. Our Association averages around 200 members and only two or three members have signed up and keep current journals on the website. This is a FREE offer for our members which includes your own page on the website that is viewed by many producers as well as consumers. So, you say to yourself, that is to technical for me to do! Not at all if you have a computer connected to the internet. If you are interested in becoming a tapping reporter, just contact me and I will see that you are included in this great program.

Condolences go out to the Fogle family for their loss of Helen M. (Bird) Fogle, Mason, MI. Helen passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2006. Helen and George Fogle have been active members of MMSA and the owners of Sugar Bush Supplies in Mason, MI, for many years. George still takes an active roll in the business along with three of their six children, Don, Rick and Mary.

I look forward to seeing you all soon at the Fall Maple Tour.

Tom Cook, President