Parker Family Maple Farm is kicking off maple month with a ceremonial tree tapping, hopefully marking the start of a sweet few months ahead.Parker’s is one of the largest maple-producing farms in New York.” represent all the maple farmers in New York state that are undergoing maple season right now,” said Laura Parker, one of the owners of the farm. “Because we are really the capital for production in the state of New York. the most taps here in Clinton County.”The farm has already made about 115,000 taps so far this year. But the family said it’s really about keeping the community together.”We keep in mind the traditions and the culture of our community,” said Parker. “Our family’s been making syrup here since 1889. We’re the fourth and fifth generations. Our children are involved, and the rest of the cousins, the friends. So, it really is community involved.”It’s also good for the economy. Maple brings in more than $30 million annually in New York.”This is really more than just dollars and cents,” said New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball. “It’s about family, family farms, family businesses and the beginning of an economic year for rural communities.”After visiting the farm Friday, Ball said he feels confident about this maple season.”You need to start the year optimistic or you’ll never make it to the end,” said Ball. “This is the beginning of agriculture in New York state. It’s very fun, very nostalgic and brings back a lot of memories for me.”Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has officially designated the last two weekends of March as maple weekends. You can come to Parker’s to celebrate!

WEST CHAZY, N.Y. —

Parker Family Maple Farm is kicking off maple month with a ceremonial tree tapping, hopefully marking the start of a sweet few months ahead.

Parker’s is one of the largest maple-producing farms in New York.

“[We] represent all the maple farmers in New York state that are undergoing maple season right now,” said Laura Parker, one of the owners of the farm. “Because we are really the capital for production in the state of New York. [There’s] the most taps here in Clinton County.”

The farm has already made about 115,000 taps so far this year. But the family said it’s really about keeping the community together.

“We keep in mind the traditions and the culture of our community,” said Parker. “Our family’s been making syrup here since 1889. We’re the fourth and fifth generations. Our children are involved, and the rest of the cousins, the friends. So, it really is community involved.”

It’s also good for the economy.

Maple brings in more than $30 million annually in New York.

“This is really more than just dollars and cents,” said New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball. “It’s about family, family farms, family businesses and the beginning of an economic year for rural communities.”

After visiting the farm Friday, Ball said he feels confident about this maple season.

“You need to start the year optimistic or you’ll never make it to the end,” said Ball. “This is the beginning of agriculture in New York state. It’s very fun, very nostalgic and brings back a lot of memories for me.”

Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has officially designated the last two weekends of March as maple weekends. You can come to Parker’s to celebrate!