The Peter Wensink Maple Forest and the Agroforestry Centre at the Kemptville Campus is receiving funding from the governments of Canada and Ontario to improve operations at their Maple Syrup production facilities. The Campus is one of almost eighty producers across Ontario, and one of seven in Leeds-Grenville to be funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and Ontario’s Maple Production Improvement Initiative.
According to the Ontario government’s statement: “The initiative will support the purchase and installation of upgraded production equipment for eligible syrup producers, that will increase productivity, efficiency, and growth, such as reverse osmosis or remote monitoring systems. It will also cover a portion of woodlot management activities, including tree marking and the development of a forest plan, to assist the operation of eligible businesses”.
Local MPP, Steve Clark, welcomed the news of the funding for Leeds-Grenville. “I am pleased to see the Maple Production Improvement Initiative funding these projects in Leeds‑Grenville. By supporting our maple syrup producers in this way, we’re working to help them tap into their potential to grow their businesses.”
The Maple Production Improvement Initiative is providing up to $118,966.47 for the seven maple syrup producers in Leeds‑Grenville, and the funding will support the purchase and installation of upgraded production equipment for eligible syrup producers, that will increase productivity, efficiency, and growth, such as reverse osmosis or remote monitoring systems. It will also cover a portion of woodlot management activities, including tree marking and the development of a forest plan, to assist the operation of eligible businesses.
Ontario is Canada’s third‑largest maple syrup‑producing province, behind Quebec and New Brunswick. In 2022, it produced 4.5% of Canada’s maple syrup, or about 2.68 million litres of syrup.
The announcement of the new funding is appropriately timed to promote Maple Weekend, which is held on April 6 and 7. The Kemptville Campus operation now tends to 1,162 taps over 18 acres of sugarbush.
