Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Friday, March 21, 2008

Craftsbury Common, Vt. - Governor Jim Douglas today celebrated Vermont’s first agricultural product of the year by tapping a maple tree in Craftsbury Common at Sterling College and the sap did run, despite the unseasonably cool weather.

The Governor was joined by Will Wootten, president of Sterling College, representatives of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and members of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association.

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.