Kennebec Journal quotes Hopkins about start of maple season
The Kennebec Journal quoted Kathy Hopkins, a maple syrup expert with University of Maine Cooperative Extension, in an article about the beginning of maple season in Maine. “If we have warm days, in the 40s or so, and it’s cold at night, we should have many good sap days,” said Hopkins. “Looking at the weather forecast, next week looks like there should be some good sap run days. I think most people will begin (getting sap) next week. It all depends on getting favorable weather between now and early April.” Most maple producers in Maine are still waiting for the sap to flow, according to the article. “This year has been pretty slow so far, compared to the last few years, because we have had so much snow and cold weather,” Hopkins said. “Some, especially in Aroostook County and even some in Kennebec County, have had to dig out their lines because they were covered in snow. But it’s March, so people will be out tapping, if they’re not already completely tapped. They’ll be out in the woods.” Maine Maple Sunday will be held for the 36th year on March 24, when maple producers will open their facilities to the public for tours, demonstrations, samples and other activities, according to Hopkins, who noted the apparent increasing number of people collecting and boiling sap as a hobby. The Portland Press Herald carried the Kennebec Journal article.