ONONDAGA -- While many of us are caught up in March Madness, maple syrup producers are hard at work. This time of year is the busiest for them -- with a little more than a month to gather this year's crop.
At Cedarvale Maple Syrup Company in the Town of Onondaga, it's crunch time. And adding to the hectic work schedule is Maple Weekend across the state -- which gives people a chance to go behind-the-scenes and see what it takes to produce maple syrup. Owner Karl Wiles said he welcomes the crowds, because he said the more people understand about making maple syrup, the more inclined they are to keep buying it.
In an average season, Wiles said he'll produce between 600 and 700 gallons of maple syrup, depending on what mother nature throws at him. He said the ideal weather conditions are 45 degree days and 25 degree nights.
"This year it's been up and down, it has been okay," he said. "Sometimes a little bit too warm, sometimes a little bit too cold but we're doing okay."
If you want to see what it takes to produce maple syrup, stop by Cedarvale Maple Syrup Company Sunday between 10am and 4pm.
