It may seem like the dead of winter, but it's almost maple syrup time in western PA.
PA Agriculture Secretary George Greig will kick off
Maple Month by tapping a maple tree for sap at 10:30 AM on Friday,
Feb. 1, at 13144 Dickson Road, Meadville. Greig will be joined by members of the Northwest Pennsylvania Maple Syrup Producers Association.
Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the nation in maple
syrup production. About 96,000 gallons of maple syrup are produced from
501,000 taps in trees across the state. Most of the product is marketed
through retail sales. The maple syrup business in Pennsylvania generated $5.1 million
in total sales in 2011.
Friday's maple tree tapping event takes place at Leech Industries, 13144 Dickson Rd. Meadville, PA 1633. That address is across from gate one of the Crawford County Fairgrounds.