Kevin and Lisa Hart, owners of Maplewood Farms LLC, started their business in 2008. A forester suggested that because the Harts had so many mature sugar maple trees on their farm, that they could produce maple syrup. 110 acres of their forest is dedicated “sugar bush” where no pesticides or herbicides are used. Kevin began learning about the process, which lead to the start of their business. Their farm is located in Brownsville, IN, near the Whitewater State Park, about 20 miles south of Richmond. The Harts are members of the American Tree Farm Program and their forest is enrolled in the State and National Forest Program.

So each year as winter gives way to spring, the Harts collect the sap and boil away the water to produce the sweet and natural product. The sap is collected through a tubing system and boiled in a special evaporator. They need approximately 45 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup! Their offerings have been expanded in recent years to include maple cream and maple sugar, both of which are pure products, requiring no preservatives or additives. These are in addition to their delicious maple syrup offerings.

Maple products are becoming more and more useful in healthy baking, making marinades and rubs, enhancing vegetables, oatmeal, yogurt, fish, meats and barbeques, as well as in coffee, tea and cocktails. The possibilities are limitless. The nutritional value is amazing for a sweetener containing minerals, vitamins, amino and organic acids. When you need a sweetener, try maple cream or sugar!

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