Quinte Maple syrup producers face challenges with a positive outlook

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Sue Dickens

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Ray Bonenberg, president of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association spoke to Quinte producers gathered in Campbellford for their annual information day about a seven-point plan for the future pointing to the Best Practices Manual as a useful tool.

Sue Dickens, Belleville EMC

Ray Bonenberg, president of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association spoke to Quinte producers gathered in Campbellford for their annual information day about a seven-point plan for the future pointing to the Best Practices Manual as a useful tool.

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A presentation of marketing and web site design was put on at the information day for Quinte maple syrup producers by Schelle Holmes, owner of The Holmstead Print and Business Services in Campbellford.

Sue Dickens, Belleville EMC

A presentation of marketing and web site design was put on at the information day for Quinte maple syrup producers by Schelle Holmes, owner of The Holmstead Print and Business Services in Campbellford.

EMC Business -Campbellford -The life of a maple syrup producer is not always sweet.

To discuss the issues they face, which range from the threat posed by the Asian longhorn beetle to what is being called "dumping" by a producer in Quebec, Quinte members of the Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association (OMSPA) converged in Campbellford for the annual information day.

Topics ranged from increasing membership to ongoing production problems that lead to mould and yeast to the benefits of labelling and more were on the agenda.

Approximately 80 producers filled the hall at St. John's church for the day-long event which included presentations from experts and dealers and included the election of officers.

Producers came from Hastings, Northumberland, Prince Edward and Lennox and Addington Counties.

Local producers Marc and Diane Curle of Curle's Maple Products near Campbellford were there along with Alice Potter of Sandy Flat Sugar Bush.

Marc was re-elected to the position of provincial director along with Harry Dennis of Madoc.

Chris Koopmans, a producer in Waupoos, Prince Edward County, was reelected as president with Steve Needham of Madoc as vice-president, John Nyman of Picton as treasurer and Carrie Koopmans of Waupoos as secretary.

Unveiling a new campaign to promote the nutritional benefits of maple syrup, Ray Bonenberg, president of OMSPA, spoke about a seven-point plan "to resurrect some things," providing a roadmap for the future.

"One of my goals is increasing membership by ten per cent each year," he told the crowd. With 2,900 producers showing up at Revenue Canada and dealers

mailing lists going to 4,500 producers and our membership sitting at 350, "there is no reason why our membership shouldn't be 1,000," said Bonenberg.

"We've got some serious issues ahead of us ... one is maintaining our quality and the second is forest health," he added.

Referencing the Asian longhorn beetle, he said, "We need to be proactive."

Establishing an effective research agenda for maple (syrup), modernizing the constitution, and creating a positive climate for potential maple producers, are on his to-do list.

"I understand very clearly as members that you want value for money," he said.

"We understand value for money. We need to think about increasing membership, we need to think about access grant money, we need to think about more donations and we need to think about fund raising," he added.

"When I get up in the morning I don't look at obstacles I look at opportunities."

Promoting the best practices manual he told producers, "It's a great marketing tool and a great quality assurance tool."

Just in time for maple syrup season, the association will have available a colour poster and rack card with information about the nutritional and health benefi ts of syrup.

"I thought the meeting was very successful by the good turnout," Diane Curle told EMC.

"Before the busy syrup season gets in full gear, it gives us a chance to touch base with our fellow producers, many of whom we have known for 30 to 40 years. It's also very gratifying to see the younger generation coming on board," she added.

"However, this meeting provides more than just the social aspect. It's a chance to stay current about everything that affects maple syrup producers: new regulations, forest health and pests, possible climate change, government grant initiatives, and allows us to see the bigger picture internationally," she explained.

Special guests at the meeting included Paul Bailey, from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), who reviewed regulation changes, mould and yeast problems and the benefits of labelling.

Todd Leuty of OMAFRA encouraged producers to be on the lookout for the Asian longhorn beetle and suggested producers look at opportunities for partnerships in marketing.

A presentation of marketing and web site design was put on in the afternoon by Schelle Holmes, owner of The Holmstead Print and Business Services in Campbellford.