I thought it was about time to share some farm and family updates with our dedicated community. First, what a holiday season it was for us! We had an incredibly successful sugarhouse holiday sale in December - I’ll even share that it was our best sales weekend EVER. Many customers took advantage of maple holiday shipping too. It was exciting to send our syrup to nearly every part of the country for people to enjoy. Once the holiday sales slowed down, we had a lovely Christmas on the farm with family. Later in January, Tyler and I got away for a family ski weekend in the white mountains. Early this month, Van and Robin enjoy a wintry getaway as well.

Around the holidays we also shared some special news - we’re expecting an addition to the family in late May/early June! Brooks is excited to have a little brother. Therefore, I will be waddling around the sugarhouse this season as I enter my final trimester… wish me luck, I’ll need it.

In the winter months, our farm activities vary. It’s usually a time to catch our breath - focus on planning, family time, etc. Tyler only does select tree jobs, since chipping brush in the winter can leave things messy. Van focuses on timber harvesting and forestry consults. The daily farm chores of snow removal and caring for our beef cattle herd continue for all of us. We also look ahead and make preparations for the upcoming maple season. This year, we’re making upgrades such as a new vacuum pump and shed on our Lempster sugarbush. We’re thinking ahead to the 2023 season for an expansion of our tap count at additional location, more to come on that.

Speaking of maple season, it will be here soon! As I write this, Tyler is coming home from a busy day in our Newport sugar woods. He was able to finish up the approximately 1200 taps in that location. The process includes drilling fresh holes, replacing drop lines, and tapping in spouts. Any necessary tubing repairs are done along the way. After he wrapped up tapping, he took advantage of the warm temperatures and tested the vacuum system. The sap was running some, giving him the ability to service the pump, make fixes to releasers, and make repairs to any major tubing leaks. The most time consuming part of maple season in the woods can often be chasing vacuum leaks. Any leak in the line will cause the vacuum level to drop on the entire system. The result is a loss of sap and potential syrup production. Early sap runs in February can help us be more efficient once the season really gets going in March. Next week - we will focus on our Lempster sugar woods. Van will finish up vacuum shed construction, and Tyler will move quickly to fix lines and tap out those trees. There’s a lot to do! While a couple warmer days were nice, we’re hopeful our weather pattern moves back to below freezer and winter conditions until March.

If you’re getting excited about the upcoming maple season, please visit our Events Page for all the details regarding NH Maple Month and our weekend open hours. Right now, we have very little maple syrup left in stock, so the season can’t arrive soon enough. Our freezers are being restocked this month with homegrown grass fed beef too. It’s also been fun setting up dates for specific tours for local school groups and our county 4-H participants. So much to look forward to this season. We can’t wait to see all of you!

Looking ahead, we’re taking firewood orders NOW for spring deliveries. Get on the list over the next couple months to reserve your firewood. Tyler will delay any tree work jobs until after maple season, but feel free to email him if you have a project in mind for the spring/summer. Lastly, the Sunapee Farmers Market will be back for a second year in historic Sunapee Harbor, and Harding Hill Farm will be there! Get that on your calendar every Saturday from Memorial Day till Labor Day Weekend. It was so successful last year for all our local farm participants. This year, we will build on that success with additional activities and fun. Be sure to visit the market website and social media channels as the details are shared.

Stay tuned for more updates on maple tapping and season preparations.