A great day for sap…

Today it’s warm, over 60 degrees. And it was in the 20’s earlier this week. That mean the sap is running today. Joe just left to collect sap at the Quabbin Reservoir, where we tap some trees on state land. So far today we have about 1,000 gallons of sap to boil down. We’re making

Open house 2012

You’re invited! Come see how we make maple syrup every Sunday in March from 11-4. Learn the steps from tapping the tree to tasting the sweet stuff.  Directions: From the center of Hardwick head north on 32A towards Petersham. Past the fire station, take your next right at the cemetery onto North Rd. Take your

First boil of the 2012 maple syrup season

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7gzDofee4s

First boil of the 2012 maple syrup season here at the Hardwick Sugar Shack in central Massachusetts. Our first run was January 31st–that’s a record! It’s the earliest we’ve ever started our season.

Oct snowstorm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS5Rc6YJwqo

The October snow storm did not herald a tough winter. Just the opposite. Very mild, and we’re making lots of maple syrup here in central Massachusetts.

Mass Faces of Agriculture

The Hardwick Sugar Shack has been chosen as this month’s “Face of Agriculture” by the Mass Department of Agriculture. This initiative pays tribute to the rich diversity of the Massachusetts agricultural community and recognizing the individuals, organizations, and schools that have made and are making a significant contribution to the long-term sustainability of agriculture in

Eating locally is easy

I love where I live. This morning I had organic eggs and swiss chard from Misty Brook farm right down the street, the best toast ever made from Rose 32 Bread, and tomatoes from the garden. Does it get any better than this? Eating locally is easy if you get to know the farmers in

Open source equipment

The modern machines for farming are too expensive for the small, family farm. Here’s one way of harnessing the power and efficiency of machines without cleaning out the bank.

Sugaring Season is Over

This maple sugar season has been GREAT. But like all things, it comes to an end. We’ve about reached that point. Joe did boil yesterday, and we’re thinking that may be the last boil. The trees are giving less sap, and the quality of the sap is degrading quickly. At the end of the season,

Last open house

This Sunday, March 27th, marks the last open house at the Hardwick Sugar Shack for the 2011 season. Yup, this is your last chance….come by any time between 11-4 pm for a tour. We have the much-anticipated maple candy and maple cream available now. It was made by a maple farm in the Northeast, since

Celebrate Spring Today!

Today, Sunday, heralds the arrival of Spring! The vernal equinox (when the days and nights are about the same length) officially arrives at 7:21 pm. Come celebrate it’s arrival by making maple syrup–a northeastern experience that epitomizes the season. This week we’ve been happily overworked with an abundance of sap. Joe’s already made more maple