Lathrop House B&B offers a 20% discount for two-night stays

to guests who visit these great neighboring producers  from 32/27 to 4/10

 
 

"Spring's Coming" This beautiful  pastel is

by Mary Montague of Brigemont Farm

"Whenever we start to think about sugaring I know that spring is coming. Yes, there will be more snow storms but the days are becoming longer and the sun is warmer.

The days spent gathering sap and doing all the chores that are involved in making that sweet gold we love to eat, gets us back outside and exercises our muscles and our hearts once again."  

  

http://www.marymontague.blogspot.com/

 
       

                        Mayval Farm

                             Westhampton 413-527-6274

The Maple Hut

Agawam

413-789-6477  

Bridgmont Farm

Westhampton

413-527-6193

  

Zawalick's Sugarhouse

Northampton

413-584-3648

Steve's Sugar Shack

Westhampton

413-527-0294

 

North Hadley Sugar Shack

Hadley

413-585-8820

Barnum & Buckley Farm

Southwick

413-569-5408

MAPLE INFORMATION below from The Massachusetts Maple Producers Association. From late February through early April, a recording about the boiling season is updated regularly. At other times of the year, you will hear summary reports. You may leave a message at the end of the recording if you need additional information.

Massachusetts Maple Producers Association

PO Box 6, Plainfield, MA 01070

413-628-3912

info@massmaple.org

From late February through early April, farmers in nearly every hill town village in Massachusetts honor an old New England tradition. They take to the woods with buckets, tubing and drills to gather the sap from sugar maple trees, boiling it down to pure maple syrup. Sugaring is the first sign of the annual agricultural awakening. Old-man winter disappears in puffs of sweet steam from weather-beaten sugar houses. The warmth of the evaporator and the aroma of hot syrup contrast with the lingering chill outside.

It's time for maple syrup poured over pancakes or waffles in a farm kitchen. Or for hot, thickened syrup dribbled over a pan of clean snow to make a rich taffy, called "sugar on snow." Our Massachusetts sugar houses welcome visitors to share the joy of the first true "rite of spring."

All of the sugar houses listed are open to the public during the sugaring season (late February through mid-April), but its best to call ahead to get their hours and boiling schedules. Many sugar houses offer eating facilities where you can enjoy a sugarhouse meal of steaming hot blueberry pancakes covered with freshly made pure maple syrup, as well as many other farm-fresh maple treats. Sugar houses are located a short drive from each other, so its possible to take a day or weekend trip and visit more than one.