Maplefest 2005 takes over GMC campus: Let the maple season begin! Gov. Douglas taps the first tree to kick off the 4th Maplefest.

By Lauren Modisette

An unusually large crowd gathers on the Green Mountain College campus today, March 18, to witness the 24th annual Maple Tapping by the governor, James Douglas.

The festivities began at 9 am on this warm end-of-the-winter day with some maple-based activities for children along with tours of the organic farm, ox-drawn sap collecting, and wagon rides. Just before the tapping began the crowd had the pleasure of hearing the schools Welsh Choir, while inside Withey Hall small businesses advertised their Maple products.Ê Maple cotton candy, donuts, coffee, and hot cider were offered to the community members gathered.

The official tree tapping began at 11 am, and five children including a boy scout from Troop 13, Dylan Walden, accompanied Douglas. Each of the children received a jug of pure Vermont maple syrup that Douglas autographed.

Onlookers weren't only GMC students. Nina Corbin, Vice President of the Camber of Commerce, attended the event. The small businesses that belong to the chamber help to promote the event.

"[GMC] is a good place for events like this. It is a nice event and this is a nice community. [Maple Tapping] is a big thing in Vermont," onlooker Ashley Grayban, a GMC freshman, commented after shooting a roll of pictures of the event.

Vermont's agricultural industry rakes in about twenty million dollars annually, which includes the profits of sugaring. Many farm's in Vermont are involved in this industry and the demand has begun to be greater than the supply. In order for one gallon of pure maple syrup to be cooked, thirty-five to forty gallons of sap have to be collected and boiled down, taking about one day if you donÕt have the newest sugaring technology. A gallon of grade A Vermont Maple Syrup goes for about thirty to forty dollars depending on where you are buying it.

"Quebec is Vermont's largest trading partner for maple syrup and Mexico is the twelfth largest. Vermont's agricultural industry is the fifth largest industry in Vermont. Dairy is the first, higher education is the third, and health care is the fourth. Maple syrup is Vermont's signature product," Douglas explained. He was pleased with the welcoming of the community and has been invited to visit several sugar houses because they are holding an open house. According to Douglas, the sugaring industry is a highly important part of Vermont's economic success.