OMSPA

Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association

Algonquin Local Hosts the 2012 Summer Tour & Annual General Meeting

July 12-14, 2012 in Huntsville, ON

“Tapping into Healthy Markets”

Conference Location & Accommodation

 The conference meetings, maple equipment dealers’ trade show, and tour banquet will be held at the Hidden Valley Muskoka Resort.  A block of rooms has been reserved until June 1 under the name of “Maple Syrup Producers”.  Rooms are $140(hillside)-$160(lakeview)/night and include a hot buffet breakfast daily, indoor & outdoor pools, sauna, tennis courts, exercise room, free use of canoes, kayaks and paddle boats.  Call 1-800-465-4171 or 705-789-2301 for reservations.  Website: http://www.hvmuskoka.com/ Email: info@hvmuskoka.com. Details on other accommodations can be found at http://www.huntsvillelakeofbays.on.ca.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, July 12

∞     Tour Registration, Syrup Competition Registration 1:00-6:00 p.m.& Trade Show 1:00-9:00 p.m

∞     Provincial Directors’ Meeting

∞     TBD: Value-added workshops in the afternoon; details to be forwarded as they become available.

Friday, July 13

∞     Tour Registration & Syrup Competition Registration 7:00-11:00 a.m.

∞     Trade Show 8:00-11:00 a.m. & 4:00-6:00 p.m.

∞     Speakers: Dr. Navindra Seeram & Dr. Yves Desjardins on the health benefits of maple syrup

∞     Lunch at the G-8 Centre and a ride on the Portage Flyer  Steam Train

∞     Sugar Bush Tours & Field Demos: Sweet Muskoka, Mark’s Muskoka Maple, Barmont Syrup Products

∞     Auction, Awards, Banquet and Entertainment

Saturday, July 14

∞     Trade Show

∞     OMSPA Annual General Meeting 8:00-9:30 a.m.

∞     Sugar Bush Tours & Field Demos: Emes Family Maple Syrup, Art Robertson

∞      Lunch, Tour of Sugar Bush & Fruit Farm, Field Demos at Brooklands Farm

Details on Sugar Bush Tours

FRIDAY

Sweet Muskoka

Located at Deerhurst Resort, Brian O’Donoghue manages the syrup-making with 1000 taps on challenging terrain & an oil-fired evaporator. 

Mark’s Muskoka Maple

With 3400 taps, vacuum & a wood-fired evaporator, Mark uses check-valve spiles & purchased an RO this year.  Mark & Hazel “tap into” the lucrative Muskoka market with several value-added maple products. 

Barmont Syrup Products

Brothers Julian & Alfred Monpetit have 800 taps on wet/dry line & vacuum.  Despite no electricity, the brothers conduct all aspects of the operation on-site. 

SATURDAY

Emes Family Maple Syrup

Jim and his sons, Albert & David, & grandson Ken have 1500 taps on private & Crown land with a mainline under Highway 35! 

Windy Acres

Specializing in wildberry- blended maple syrup, Art Robertson is also converting his oil-fired evaporator to use waste vegetable oil obtained from restaurants that purchase his home-grown shitake mushrooms. 

Brooklands Farm

Ken & Katya Riley installed several sap ladders in their 1300 tap operation along with wet/dry lines to optimize sap collection.  Brooklands Farm also hosts pick-your-own fruit, wedding receptions, and more.

For more information contact Bill & Lori Hubbert at (705)384-7847 or email: bhubbert@vianet.ca

Registration form

Summer Tour Poster

Explore this site for more information on maple syrup production, maple syrup recipes and maple syrup producers near you!