Food/Travel

Commissioner Lebeaux visits Maple Corner Farm

GRANVILLE – Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner John Lebeaux visited Maple Corner Farm on Wednesday afternoon.

Lebeaux visited due to Gov. Charlie Baker’s declaration that March is “Maple Month.” Local officials Rep. Nick Boldyga and Sen. Don Humason also attended.

The Ripley Family, who own the eighth-generation farm, gave the state and local officials a tour of their new sugar house that was built in 2016.

Lebeaux presents a certificate to Maple Corner Farm for their participation in Maple Weekend. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)

Lebeaux presents a certificate to Maple Corner Farm for their participation in Maple Weekend. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)

The current sugar house, which is heated with a more modern and efficient system to cook the maple syrup, is an upgrade to the previous building. Owner Leon Ripley noted that they use new plastic taps that make it easier to drill holes into trees in order to get the sap.

Maple Corner Farm also features a restaurant across the street.

Ripley said that they sell their maple syrup to a number of retailers like small stores, restaurants, and quite a few farmers markets in Western Massachusetts.

With this upcoming weekend being “Maple Weekend”, around 50 maple operations in Massachusetts will be opening up their doors.

Dave Ripley, son of Leon, thought it was great for Lebeaux to visit their maple farm.

“It’s good to have the Commissioner promote Maple Weekend for ourselves as well as for the other Massachusetts maple producers,” said Ripley.

Leon Ripley shows Lebeaux part of the process they go through with making their maple syrup. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)

Leon Ripley shows Lebeaux part of the process they go through with making their maple syrup. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)

Humason is certainly familiar with Lebeaux, as he recalls the Commissioner being at other maple farms, dairy farms, and attending Christmas tree events in Humason’s district throughout the years.

“It’s great to have him in Granville for Mr. Ripley’s farm,” said Humason. “He’s no stranger to our district.”

Lebeuax visited other maple farms throughout Western and Central Massachusetts on Wednesday, and Boldyga was glad that Maple Corner Farm was part of that.

“I think it’s great that Commissioner Lebeaux came out and recognized everything there is here,” said Boldyga.

Lebeaux was not only pleased he could visit Maple Corner Farm, but also grateful to see yet another maple farm across the Commonwealth that has its own special and unique qualities.

“It’s a remarkable combination of the oldest traditions and the newest technologies,” said Lebeaux.

At the end of the tour, Lebeaux presented Maple Corner Farm with a certificate that acknowledged their participation in Maple Weekend.

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