Frank Heerkens is an FSC certified maple syrup producer located near Kemptville, Ontario and is working to get Kemptville College’s maple stand back up and running again.
In the 1990s, when the campus was still under the auspices of the University of Guelph, maple syrup production was abandoned but the infrastructure was still in place.
“My partner and I were looking for more taps. I already knew about the Kemptville College maple stand, and saw an opportunity, so I came up here and did a tour, and realized we could probably get this thing back up and running again with relatively little work,” said Heerkens.
Frank approached the college and they go to working on getting all the lines back up over a few short days.
This forest was actively managed by the Agricultural College as far back as 1917. Back then the college offered forest management educational opportunities to students, private woodlot owners and forestry professionals which the college hopes to revive.
As part of that educational thrust Kemptville Campus’s forest achieved FSC certification through the Eastern Ontario Model Forest certification program in 2019.
“Managing a forest like this one, is about a lot more than just maximizing the tree growth; it’s about balance – creating a harmony of tree species, animal and plant habitat and trails. This forest boasts approximately four kilometres of trails, and an impressive range of diversity within a small area”, says Jim Hendry, Certification Coordinator at the Eastern Ontario Model Forest.
Last year, said Heerkens, he produced 250 gallons of maple syrup, off an estimated 900 to 1000 taps within the Kemptville College sugar bush.
“We’ve just installed 720 taps in phase one of the new system, and we estimate there’s another 400 to 500 taps left on the other side of the forest, so we figure there’s going to be 1,100 to 1,200 taps next year,” said Heerkens.
In its first year of production the facility produced syrup that took sixth place at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
Heerkens is convinced this is just the beginning. Armed with a five-year contract, with 2021 being year two, Heerkens will continue to manage and produce the maple syrup on campus for another three years at least.
Original article by: Heddy Sorour, Recorder & Times