"All in all, a great year," says Jim. He predicts that this week will be good for both collecting more sap and bud growth, so after one more strong week the season may soon draw to a close.
Danielle, who works in the Howell Farm office and is known this time of year as "the Syrup Queen," has been finishing the syrup on the Howell Farm stove before bottling. She also keeps meticulous records.
In 2012, Howell Farm bottled 30.9375 gallons of maple syrup. This year, 39.79 gallons have already been bottled, and another 7 or 8 gallons are expected today.
The Howell Farm record for syrup production, 62.5 gallons, was reached in 2005, the year Howell Farm started using a modern evaporator. In 2007, 57.81 gallons was produced. In 2011, 54.19 gallons.
Danielle believes that 2013 probably won't threaten an all time record, but she could could see a top three finish of 54.2 gallons or more.