Page 4 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - March 2016 - 23-03
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Page 4 Senior Times - March 2016
MICHIGAN MAPLE WEEKENDS CELEBRATE SWEET
AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE
By: Dianna Stampfler,
Promote Michigan
Average sugar concentration of maple sap is about 2.5 percent.
Maple sap becomes maple syrup when boiled to 219 degrees Fahrenheit, or 7 degrees above the boiling point of water. Pure Michigan maple syrup has 50 calories per tablespoon and is fat-free.
It has no additives, no added coloring and no preservatives.
Maple syrup has many minerals per tablespoon: 20 milligrams of calcium, 2 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.2 milligrams of iron, 2 milligrams of sodium,
35 milligrams of potassium. Maple syrup is classified as one of nature’s most healthful foods.
The Michigan Maple Syrup Association is planning three weekends of celebrations during the 4th Annual Michigan Maple Weekend. Overall, more than 25 sugar makers are participating in the festivities.
Due to the state’s diverse weather and geographical elements, events are first held in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula (south of US10), March 19-20, followed
by events in the upper half of the Lower Peninsula (north of US10), March 26-27 and throughout the Upper Peninsula, April 2-3.
“The weekend provides the people of Michigan and surrounding states a chance
to see how our oldest crop is produced,” says Joe Woods, event coordinator. “For many people it is a chance for them to experience firsthand where their food comes from and the work and expense that goes into bringing a crop to market.”
The family-friendly events held around the state are a great time for people to get out and get a firsthand look at how maple sap is collected, boiled down and turned into sweet maple syrup and other maple treats. Many of the farms will offer tours of their operation including tree tapping demonstrations, samples of their products, recipes for the
use of maple syrup and local maple syrup products available to purchase.
Visitors to local farms can meet the farmers and their families that produce maple syrup and get outside and
enjoy Michigan’s early spring weather. Attendees are reminded to wear boots, as mud and snow may still be abundant at this time of the year.
Michigan Maple Syrup Facts:
• Michigan ranks 5th in maple syrup production in the United States.
• Average maple syrup production in Michigan is about 90,000 gallons per year.
• Economic contributions of the pure maple syrup industry to Michigan are nearly $2.5 million annually.
• Maple syrup, as an agricultural commodity, benefits Michigan farm markets.
• There are an estimated 500 commercial maple syrup producers in Michigan with some 2,000 additional hobby or home use producers.
• The production of pure maple syrup is the oldest agricultural enterprise in the United States.
• Maple syrup is one of the few agricultural crops in which demand exceeds supply.
• It takes approximately 40 gallons of maple
sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup.
• A maple tree needs to be about 40 years old, with a diameter of 10 inches before
tapping is recommended.
• Warm sunny days and freezing nights
determine the length of the maple season. • The budding of maple trees makes
the maple syrup taste bitter. Thus,
production ceases.
• Freezing and thawing temperatures create
pressure and force the sap out of the tree.
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More Maple Syrup Events:
• March 5-27, Afternoons at the Sugarhouse, Chippewa Nature
Center, Midland
• March 12-13, Maple Sugar Festival,
Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo • March 13, Maple Sugaring,
Hillside Homestead, Suttons Bay • March 19, Maple Syrup Day,
Chippewa Nature Center, Midland • March 19, Maple Syrup Festival,
Fenner Nature Center, Lansing
• March 28, Maple Sugaring Days,
Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Newberry • April 22-24, Vermontville
Maple Syrup Festival
• April 22-24, Shepherd Maple
Syrup Festival
More information can be found at www.Mi- MapleSyrup.com, the Michigan Maple Syrup Association Facebook page or by contacting members of the Michigan Maple Syrup Association. Information can also be found
at Michigan Welcome Centers.
Miles For Memories
Sept 17, 2016
Join the Miles For Memories signature event to help change the face of Alzheimer’s in Calhoun County.
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
• 5K Fun Walk or Run
• Community Stroll
• Create a Team
• Become a Sponsor
• Become a Volunteer
• Sign up for the tailgate party
CAN’T PARTICIPATE THAT DAY?
Send Your Donation To:
Battle Creek Community Foundation
32 W. Michigan Ave, Ste 1, Battle Creek, MI 49017
Make Check’s Payable To:
“BCCF/Miles for Memories”
Supporting Calhoun County programming. Collaborating on early on-set research.
MORE INFORMATION
www.scenepub.com/milesformemories Call (269) 979-1412
Follow us on Facebook or Twitter@miles4memos
Online registration opens February 17,2016 at www.itsyourrace.com
Sept17,2016
Sept 17, 2016 • 9am BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN
BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN


































































































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