At Morse Farm, Welch Highlights Wins for Maple Industry in Farm Bill

As Vermont’s sugar makers prepare for sugaring season, Representative Peter Welch was at Morse Farm in Montpelier this afternoon to highlight important victories for the state’s maple producers in the new Farm Bill which was signed into law by President Obama on February 7th.  Welch’s initiatives to help maple producers modernize and become more energy efficient were included in the bill.  

“The superior quality of Vermont maple syrup is known around the world,” said Welch “The maple provisions in the Farm Bill will give a boost to Vermont sugar makers and help them plan for the future.”

The new law includes two of Rep. Welch’s bills that support the maple industry. The first initiative will help sugar makers install energy efficiency upgrades that will reduce fuel consumption during the sugaring process.  Also included was the Maple Tapping Access Program (TAP) Act, which authorizes grants to states and research institutions to support research and promotion of maple syrup.

Those in attendance at today’s event included:  

          Burr Morse, Morse Farm

          Chuck Ross, Secretary of Agriculture

          Matt Gordon, Executive Director of Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association 

          Tim Perkins, Director of Proctor Maple Research Institute at UVM

          Sam Cutting, President of Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association, and Dakin Farm

          Henry Mackres, maple specialist at Agency of Agriculture

          Ted Brady, State Director of USDA Rural Development

          David Marvin, Butternut Mountain Farm

          Tom Berry, Office of Senator Leahy

          Jenny Nelson, Office of Senator Sanders

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