Friday, November 12, 2010

My Vermont Maple Sugaring season begins now!

Hello, my name is Willard Jeff Smith, most people know me as Jeff.  Growing up on the Maple Crest Farm has reinforced that farming is the life style for me.  About 5 years ago I reconnected with Mary Barnhart whom has joined me at the farm.  My thing is the maple, Mary likes the beef she refers to them as the my girls and the kids.  We seem to settle somewhere in the middle on things. 

For quite some time I have always wanted to do a blog of sorts to track what is new on the farm so here it is.

Maple Syrup

Being a 8th generation maple producer and am committed to making quality Vermont Maple Syrup. This is my passion! Over the past few years I have expaned our maple production and started selling my syrup via my website. Guess the name?   Yup, smithmaplecrestfarm.com  Please visit.

I do something maple related every day, even if it is only planning the next move, the time is now to really start to do a good assessment of my sugar lots, make my list, check it twice and get it done. 

Over the past few years we have added 2 sugar bushes and, now is the time to look at what is working and what is not.  This could take some time to get just the way I want it and will be fun to see how any changes will turn out.

Our syrup can be easily orderd thru our website and we will ship it to you or if you are in the neighborhood you can pick it up.  We ask that you call ahead so that we have it ready for you.

Grass Fed Beef

Since we no longer have a milking herd we have kept cattle on the farm to keep the fields open from tree growth.  The herd has grown and we have a cross of Red Devon and Polled Hereford.  They are a hardy lot who love to go from pasture to pasture.  We sell our farm raised grass fed beef at the farm and locally at Pierces Store in Shrewsbury and Gloria's Pantry in Cuttingsville, VT.  People have come from Boston, MA; New York City and Baltimore, MD to replenish their freezers with our beef.  We would love to see you stop by.