Dan Carmel taps sugar bush at Fletcher Farm in Lanesborough

Dan Carmel at Fletcher Farm

A sweet deal came our way this spring when Dan Carmel, a resident of Lanesborough, wanted to tap the maples at the Fletcher Farm. It is great to see conservation land like this being worked. At BNRC, we often talk about working landscapes and the economic benefits of conservation, but sometimes the benefits are a little less obvious. Not here - just buy some of Dan's syrup and taste sweet success.

Dan called BNRC in January and sheepishly asked how we felt about him tapping the maples on the Fletcher Farm. He was pleasantly surprised to get an enthusiastic yes, that is after we checked with Miss Fletcher. Miss Fletcher's family owned the farm until it came into conservation, and she still lives in the house, keeping a kind eye on farmer Mike Weslowski. Miss Fletcher knew Dan through church, though she mentioned with a chuckle that he doesn't go too often. With Miss Fletcher's blessing we gave Dan the go ahead.

This spring Dan invited us out to see the operation. We were glad to find things looking professional. Clearly the sugarbush was in good hands. After walking around for a while we went back to see the boiling operation. As it turns out, Dan was boiling his sap at Holiday Farm with Dicken Crane. After a visit around the arch, Dan loaded up the truck with Grade A dark amber. Webrought the spoils back to the office to use as prizes in our Geocaching game.