This weekend, I will be joining Shawn Massey at Massey Ranch in Watertown and Vernon-Verona-Sherrill School’s Future Farmers of America in Oneida County to help tap the first trees of the season. For me, the annual ritual of maple tree tapping ushers in springtime. Although Mother Nature hasn’t quite figured out yet that spring is here, this is an exciting time of year for maple lovers and maple producers.

How many of you drive around this area and see people in residential areas tapping their own sugar maples? I see quite a few, as this region is so richly populated with sugar maples.

According to the Northern New York Maple Project, New York is only tapping about one percent of its 300 million maple trees. They estimate that if maple tapping increased to levels equaling those in Vermont – the leading U.S. producer of maple products – to 2.94 percent, New York State would earn about $600 million in additional revenue.

Furthermore, Cornell University surveyed available sugar maples in the state, and reported that New York has enough to outpace Canada, the leading worldwide producer of maple products, if we just tap into more trees. Canada controls 80 percent of the global market. New York could easily take over if we took full advantage of our resources.

The demand for maple, a luxury agricultural product, is increasing globally as nations like China and Brazil’s middle-classes grow. And although global demand is increasing, the U.S. continues to consume the most maple products.

Because of our great potential for maple production, I have been fighting to restore funding for New York’s Maple Producers Program in the 2014-15 budget. The governor suggested cutting funding entirely. The Senate and Assembly wish to preserve the program, but haven’t agreed to a final number yet. The Senate has recommended $150,000 and the Assembly Majority has said they would support $125,000 for the program. I have been discussing the issue with my legislative colleagues, and will report back to my constituents when a final determination is reached.

Keep enjoying the springtime maple season. Visit a maple producer and learn about the fascinating process of turning sap into maple syrup and other products. For more information about maple production in our state, visit the NYS Maple Web site.