Energy Efficiency and Maple Sugaring

Gerry Palano

Energy/Energy Efficiency Coordinator, Department of Agricultural Resources

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Shortly before this year’s shortened maple sugaring season ended, I was fortunate to not only visit a local producer, but also able to “assist” in an afternoon of maple syrup production. My intention to visit Justamere Tree Farm, a family-owned maple sugaring and diversified farming operation in Worthington, was to review new energy efficient equipment funded in part by DAR’s Ag-Energy Grant Program. The grants help fund projects to improve energy efficiency and facilitate adoption of alternative clean energy technologies. Justamere’s new additional reverse osmosis (RO) equipment separates out and reduces the water content of the raw sap, thus reducing evaporation time and saving energy. Concurrently, water is recovered that is used for cleaning purposes. Justamere also uses an advanced gasification wood furnace that results in overall boiler efficiencies of 75 to 80 percent. This allows Justamere to use less than half of the wood conventional operations utilize. Energy and our valuable forest resources are saved and greenhouse gas emissions reduced. Possible next step – photovoltaics to help offset the maple syrup production’s electrical requirements!

Comments

[Pamela Snow]

Wonderful news! I wonder if I can bring sap from my home to such a facility ..and have them produce syrup for me at a reasonable fee or barter...
are any other Western Mass Maple farms, doing this sort of thing?

[Gerry Palano]

Hi Pamela - great question, thank you. I have an inquiry into the MA Maple Producers Association -http://www.massmaple.org/index.php -
to find if they know any specific syrup operations that are open to this. Will get back to you when I have their response.
At the same time, when checking with Justamere Tree Farm, they would certainly do this as they know others would. Here is a listing of MA syrup producers - http://www.massmaple.org/directory.php - please find one nearby and give them a call!
Happy Sugaring!
Gerry Palano