Fairview Maple Farm

Tim & Judy Boonstra
2797 N. Abbe Rd. (M-33)
Fairview, MI 48621

Tim and Judy Boonstra began their syrup days in 1983. That year they purchased a used wood fired 4’ x 12’ Leader Evaporator and built a rustic sap shanty to house their fledgling business. Over the years they gradually expanded the number of taps and gradually converted the system over to tubing. In 2002 they relocated the business by building a new sugarhouse and incorporating a 3’ x 12’ oil fired Waterloo-Small Evaporator with a piggy back unit. A filter press and water jacketed electrically heated bottling unit round out the sugarhouse operation.

In the bush they currently tap 2,500 units with approximately 95% of those on tubing and vacuum. Further expansion is planned in order to reach a 3,000 tap goal. Selective thinning of trees is an on going process with harvested products being utilized as saw timber, pulp wood, and firewood.

Tim’s wife Judy takes a very active part in the business by producing value added products such as candy, cream, cookies, sugar, jams and jellies or even carmaple corn and pies. Most syrup is sold directly from the sugarhouse. In addition, they market in two other retail establishments.