Contacts:
Jason Gibbs, Office of the Governor, (802) 828-3333
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

WHAT: Gov. Kicks off Maple Season with State House Tree Tapping

Montpelier, Vt. - Governor Jim Douglas will celebrate Vermont’s first agricultural product of the year by tapping a maple tree on the State House lawn.

The Governor will officially kick-off the maple sugaring season in Vermont with the 26th Annual Governor’s Tree Tapping Ceremony. The importance of maple goes far beyond syrup. According to Roger Allbee, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture, the maple industry is one of the most important aspects of the Vermont economy and Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States.

This year’s Tree Tapping Ceremony will also include a sap-gathering contest between the House and Senate, old time open kettle sap boiling and sugar on snow.

WHEN: Friday, March 23, 2007 – 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: The State House Lawn, Montpelier