Maine Maple Mania Spreads to Jackman!

June 14, 2013

For more information contact: John Bott at: 207-287-3156

AUGUSTA ? Commissioner Walt Whitcomb today attends the 3rd Annual Maple Mania 2013 event in Jackman to help celebrate a successful maple syrup season and participate in efforts to educate consumers and increase the strength and impact of Maine?s maple industry in advance of 2014.

?Maine?s maple industry provides a unique product that is enjoyed around the world,? said Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Walt Whitcomb. ?The Maine Maple Producers Association Board is actively growing the industry and planning for future opportunities. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has the good fortune to work with members of the maple industry on important events such as Maine Maple Sunday, the Governor?s Maple Tapping event at the Blaine House, and of course Maple Mania. Governor Paul R. LePage?s support at the Blaine House Tree Tapping event last March really set the stage for a successful year.?

In a prepared statement, Governor Paul R. LePage highlighted the economic impact that the Maine maple syrup industry has on Maine?s economy and its potential for future growth. ?This industry demonstrates the excellent opportunity Maine has to promote its natural resource-based economy, as well as to promote job creation for our citizens,? said Governor LePage. ?I applaud their efforts and wish them great success in growing this industry.?

This past season, Maine produced 450,000 gallons of maple syrup, a 20% increase over 2011. The latest yearly figures show that Maine generated nearly $13 million in revenue from the maple industry. Maine was third in the nation, producing 14 percent of maple syrup in the United States.

Maple Mania History:

Maple Mania was created by the Maine Maple Producers Association Board, who recognized a need for more education. Attendance has grown each year, to approximately 150 attendees. In the first year there was a mixture of small and medium size producers and there were 80 attendees in the Central Maine area. Last year the number increased to 110 with smaller producers and bigger marketing producers who attended the event in Westbrook. This year?s gathering includes a mixture that includes a number of wholesale producers. The goal is to move the annual event around the state to allow equal access to members.

For more information on the Maine Maple Producers, visit their website: http://www.mainemapleproducers.com/

For more information about the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, go to: http://www.maine.gov/acf