Guided Maple Syrup Making Experience

Freezing nights in the 20s and warm days in the 40s trigger the sugar maple sap run, which starts our sugaring season! 

Join us at the Natick Community Organic Farm for an immersive journey into the science and history of maple sugaring! Gather around campfires to explore the traditional techniques of both Indigenous peoples and early Colonists as they transformed sap into maple sugar. Along the way, you’ll discover how to identify maple trees, learn about the qualities of sap and syrup, and see firsthand the process of tapping trees at outdoor displays.

This unique tour includes four engaging stops:

• Maple Education Center: Begin with a hands-on introduction to maple tree identification, understanding sap flow, and the fascinating process that turns sap into syrup. Guides will explain how environmental factors affect sap production and give you an insider’s look into the science behind sugaring.
• Native American Maple Museum: Dive into the rich history and cultural significance of maple sugaring through artifacts and stories that highlight the Indigenous origins of this timeless practice.
• Colonial Campfire Demonstration: If the fires are lit, stop by and watch as cast-iron pots, like those used by early Colonists, are filled with sap for the boiling process. Experience how early settlers worked to create maple sugar over an open flame.
• Sugar Shack Experience: Conclude the tour by stepping into the sugar shack, where staff will be  boiling sap to produce rich, delicious maple syrup. Witness each step of the transformation and learn about modern vs. traditional methods of syrup-making. NOTE: The fires arent always boiling sap, it will vary based on the amount of sap produced each day.

If time permits, there will be a chance to return to the museum for a closer look at its displays, or you can explore it at your leisure after the tour.

Be sure to visit the farm shack before you leave to pick up the freshly tapped syrup and seasonal produce—perfect for taking a piece of this experience home with you!