While there are many multi-generational maple syrup farms in our area, our story is a little different. Our adventure began simply as a search for fun winter activities to do with our young children. We joined a friend to tap a backyard bush near our home and kept the tradition going until the historic Ice Storm of 1998 severely damaged the trees.
After a few years’ break, we couldn’t escape the “maple bug” that affects so many of us. Like most producers, we have a true passion for making syrup and working in the woodlot. With our kids approaching their teenage years, we decided it was the perfect time to return to the forest—this time tapping a woodlot we already owned in Lanark County. Our sugar bush sits on 100 acres of beautiful mixed forest near Elphin, Ontario.
We started with a rugged setup: a used finishing pan and a homemade wood stove. We learned a lot in those early days! What started as just a few buckets quickly expanded to more than 300. It didn’t take long before we upgraded to a modern, high-efficiency wood-burning evaporator and vacuum pipelines. Each year, the operation has grown; we currently manage almost 2,000 taps on vacuum tubing, though we still hang a few traditional buckets for our visitors to enjoy.
Each season brings new challenges and rewards, allowing us to craft syrup that reflects the unique terroir of our land—where every drop is a delicious taste of the place we call home.
However, making syrup here requires resilience. Our property is situated on an unmaintained township road, which means we handle our own snowplowing and operate entirely without municipal hydro. We run a fully off-grid operation powered by a hybrid system: a 4kW solar array charging a 24V battery bank handles the daily needs, while a 25kW diesel generator powers the heavy lifting—feeding the 220-volt motors for our reverse osmosis machine, evaporator, and filter press.
During the season, we live on-site at our 3-bedroom camp. Despite being deep in the woods, solar power lets us enjoy the comforts of home, including high-speed internet and satellite TV. But the real highlight? Our wood-fired hot tub — the perfect way to relax after a long day in the sugar bush.
Dave & Wendy Branson joined the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association to learn from other Producers. They are active members in the Lanark & District Chapter, where Dave is also a Director on the local board.
The experience has proven to be very rewarding and one of constant learning. Through networking with other Producers, workshops, and training seminars, Producers learn skills that help everyone produce high quality syrup.
We recommend that anyone who is thinking of making their own maple syrup regardless of size, visit OMSPA to learn about events in their area.
One of the great things about making maple syrup is that it brings family and friends together. We are fortunate to have great help from our family and many friends who enjoy syrup making and cherish working outdoors.
With a passion for working outdoors, Dave is always looking to see how the sugar bush can become productive and efficient.
He is active in the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers’ Association (OMSPA), where he is a Director on the Board for the Lanark & District Chapter. In 2023, he led the organization of the OMSPA Summer Tour.
Wendy enjoys connecting with customers at local markets and sharing our love of syrup making.
During the season, she oversees our bottling production and records keeping, to make sure that we follow best practices to ensure exceptional quality syrup.
Sarah is a Mechanical Engineer and brings her organizational skills to the operation, ensuring that we are organized and operate efficiently.
Sarah lives in Gananoque and has a supply of maple products available for sale for anyone in the region.
Drew lives in Kamloops, BC, where he works in the mining industry as a Geological Engineer. When he can, he returns during the season to help with tapping. Drew’s height is especially desired when it comes to removing and sanitizing those high spiles after the snow has melted at the end of the season.
Drew has a supply of syrup for our customers in BC.
