Vermont Business Magazine The annual ‘First Tapping’ event recognizes the importance of Vermont’s maple industry with a ceremonial tapping of a maple tree by Governor Phil Scott. This year’s event is being held at Buck Family Maple in Washington. Governor Scott will be joined by the Buck Family, Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts and Allison Hope from the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association. A tour of the sugarhouse and surrounding woods will follow the event. Helping the Governor celebrate will be Vermont sugar makers, officials and area children who will all partake in a taste of Vermont maple at the Buck Family sugar house following the tapping event.
Monday, March 18, 2024 @ Noon (Event originally scheduled for Monday, March 11 – postponed due to weather and road conditions)
Buck Family Maple - 528 Sargent Rd North, Washington, Vermont 05675
WHO: Phil Scott | Governor of Vermont
Anson Tebbetts | Secretary Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets
Allison Hope | Executive Director of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association
James & John Buck | Buck Family Maple
Vermont once again led the nation in maple syrup production in 2023, despite variable weather that saw production down 20% from the previous year’s record-breaking total of 2.55 million gallons, with 2.05 million gallons in 2023 according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Vermont has led the nation in the production of maple syrup every year since 1926. Maple Syrup is Vermont’s second leading agricultural crop behind only milk.
Directions: From north and eastern locations: Follow W. Corinth Rd South from Washington Village via VT 110 or West from VT 25 via Brook Rd and Cookville Rd. Turn onto Scales Hill Rd and travel south 1.5 miles to the intersection with Sargent Rd North. Continue straight up the hill 250 yards to sugarhouse gate on right. Driveway is directly across from Clermont Rd.
From southern locations: From Chelsea Village on VT 110 turn right on Upper Village Rd, continue to South Washington Rd (left hand turn), past the Taylor Farm. Continue on Scales Hill Rd for 2 miles. Do not enter Sargent Rd at 4-way intersection because it turns to class 4. Stay left and continue on Scales Hill Rd up past the Grandview Sheep Farm and turn right at Washington State Forest sign onto Sargent North Rd. Sugarhouse entrance 250 yards ahead at green gate, and directly across from Clermont Rd.
