March declared 'Massachusetts Maple Month'
WARREN, Mass. (WWLP) – Kicking off the beginning of the agricultural season, Governor Maura Healey has declared March as Massachusetts Maple Month.
Governor Healey, along with state and local officials and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Deputy Commissioner Winton Pitcoff visited Deer Meadow Farm in Warren on Friday to promote Massachusetts' maple industry and support locally-made products during this special time of year.
What March has in store for temperatures in Massachusetts
'We are proud to tap into the sweetest of traditions in Massachusetts and support the hardworking farmers who bring us the maple syrup we love,' Healey said. 'By choosing local syrup, you're not just savoring a delicious treat, you're investing in the future of sustainable farming and strengthening the community that makes it all possible.'
Massachusetts is among the top states in the country for maple production and is home to over 300 maple producers that make over 70,000 gallons annually.
MDAR has awarded over $700,000 in Climate Smart Agricultural Program grants to 35 maple producers throughout the state since 2018.
To celebrate Massachusetts Maple Month, Maple Weekend will be held on March 8 and 9 at sugarhouses across the state. Tours will be available to the public so that residents can learn about the maple production process and the history of maple sugaring.
Best of all, visitors will be able to sample various maple products, and select locations will even host pancake breakfasts.
'Maple sugaring is a time-honored tradition in Massachusetts, with producers having honed their craft in sugarmaking over generations,' said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. 'As with other sectors of agriculture, many of our maple producers are multi-generational, family-oriented businesses that have stood the test of time. MDAR is proud to continue its support through our CSAP Grants, which make them one of the state's most environmentally friendly sectors of agriculture, as well as one of the most delicious!'
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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