BETHANY, PA — Mark your calendar: This year’s annual meeting of the Northeast Maple Producers (NMP) will be held starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 20 at the Bethany United Methodist Church. 

Maple equipment displays will be set up by Justus Asthalter Maple and Shemanski Maple.  

Attendees can also see the 2024 Pennsylvania Farm Show exhibit.  Registration begins at 10 a.m.; the meeting will start at 11 a.m.

During the business portion of the meeting, the group will elect directors and discuss the March open house. There will be brief reports on the State Maple Tour and this year’s farm show.  

The guest presenter for this year is Michael Gaynord, the food safety inspector for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. He will discuss rules and regulations for selling maple syrup and products in Pennsylvania. 

In addition, Kristin Curtis and Peggy Simons will discuss how to enter maple products into the PA Farm Show.

The church is located at 3 Court St.

An RSVP is requested. To do so, call the Wayne County Extension office at 570/253-5970 ext. 4110 or email wayneext@psu.edu by Tuesday January 16 to reserve your ticket for the midday meal of pancakes, eggs, home fries, sausage, Manning’s ice cream and 100 percent pure Pennsylvania maple syrup.

The cost for the meal is $10, payable at the door.  

Grade labels will be available at registration at the cost of $6.50 per roll of 1,000. 

Open house signs and stakes are available. 

Membership dues are $20 for producers who make under 100 gallons of maple syrup per season and $25 for those making 100 gallons or more.   

All are welcome whether or not you choose to be a member. 

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