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Honoring Vermont’s

Maple Experts

Maple sugaring is important to Vermont
agriculture contributing over $300 million a year
to the state’s economy. Due to technology, the size
of sugaring operations has increased exponentially
over the years, but the human commitment has
remained constant. Sugaring people are involved in
the industry because it’s in their blood. Two men
exemplify this theory of dedication, George Cook with
the UVM Extension Service and Henry Marckres from
the Agency of Agriculture. Both retired from their
respective positions during the fall of 2017, leaving
behind legacies. PHOTO COURTESY OF BARB SWEET

George Cook
George Cooke
George Cook worked at the Extension Service for “A great product will sell itself, but the
thirty nine years. He started out as the county agent increase in production demands much more
for Lamoille County and then in 2013 became an
Extension Professor. From 1978 to 2017, George dedication by the whole industry to move this
served on over thirty Extension and UVM committees. product into the mouths of consumers.”
He taught safety courses to farmers, non-farmers, and
EMTs emphasizing what to do when arriving first at
the scene of a farm accident. In addition to teaching, on production efficiencies will continue to boost the
he was responsible for obtaining 5 million dollars of sugaring industry. He sees a bright future in sugaring,
grants which were used for vocational rehabilitation but feels much more emphasis is needed on marketing
counselors and safety projects. Many national and and promotion. “A great product will sell itself, but
international farm safety organizations choose George the increase in production demands much more
as their leader. He appeared frequently on Across the dedication by the whole industry to move this product
Fence and radio shows, wrote articles and created into the mouths of consumers,” states George. In 2009,
training videos. In 2006, the Vermont Farm Bureau he was presented the Sumner Hill Williams Award for
gave him the Wallace Award for Outstanding Lifetime his lifelong dedication to the Vermont maple industry.
Service to Vermont Agriculture. Many of George’s articles can be found in the North
Safety and sugaring were George’s expertise at the American Maple Syrup Producers Manual including
Extension Service. He has a small sugar bush in Hyde “Safety in the Sugaring Operation.”
Park, and like many Vermont sugar makers fondly George’s dedication to local communities did not
remembers sugaring with his dad and grandfather. For stop at the Extension Service. He served forty one
nostalgic reasons he hangs a few buckets, but most of years on the Morristown Rescue and Hyde Park Fire
his taps are on 3/16” pipeline. George says, “I enjoy the Department, stepping into the role of leader when
intrigue of making the best tasting maple syrup I can, called upon. Vermont youth also benefited from his
and working in the woods. I really enjoy pretty much dedication when he participated in the Boy Scouts for
every aspect of sugaring, it’s in my blood.” This year twenty seven years. In 2006, the Vermont Secretary of
he added a small RO, and he is excited to familiarize State bestowed the Vermont Community Service award
himself with new technology. He feels that technology to him commemorating thirty years of service to the
like highly efficient evaporators, high production ROs towns of Hyde Park and Morristown. Recently his wife
and 3/16” tubing have been the best improvements in Dorothy and he were given the Vermont Emergency
the sugaring industry during the last twenty years. It is Services’ Lifetime Achievement Award.
his opinion that continued research and improvement Continued on page 30

28 2018 Vermont Farm Show