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Henry Marckres

Henry Marckres was the maple expert for the
Vermont Agency of Agriculture. He started with
the Agency in 1984 and became the State Maple
Specialist in 1989. His reputation and palate are well
known from the halls of Montpelier to the provinces
of Canada. He is an expert in detecting off flavors
in maple syrup, and his wife Debra says he can even PHOTO COURTESY OF AGENCY OF AGRICULTURE
determine the density by mouth feel.
He was introduced to maple at a young age, but he
didn’t sugar. When he was a boy he traveled with his
father visiting sugarhouses and buying syrup for the Henry Marckres
Cary Maple Sugar Company in St. Johnsbury. This
establishment is now Maple Grove. When he graduated to have productive, healthy maple trees for years to
from Vermont Technical College in 1974, he worked come.” He likes to share his knowledge with aspiring
for the USDA Soil Conservation Service. At that point sugar makers, teaching at local high schools, tech
he and a friend started sugaring at the family farm in schools, state sponsored maple schools and his alma
Craftsbury, tapping 1800. It was here that he learned mater, VTC. At one time, he served on the FFA board.
to appreciate nature’s valuable species, the maple tree. In 2004, one of Henry’s major accomplishments
Henry says, “Even though the advances in included co-founding the New England Maple
technology have been huge the last twenty years, I Grading School which is now sponsored by IMSI.
feel the understanding of how to use and manage the This led to his participation in the standardization
resource—the maple tree—is of great importance. From of maple syrup grades. He felt it was necessary to
not over tapping, to responsible thinning and using create a standard grade for all maple syrup produced
smaller spouts will ensure that Vermont continues Continued on page 32

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It was a really good move. It’s a good investment in the future...
It’s a wonderful asset.” – Seth Gardner, McKnight Farm

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30 2018 Vermont Farm Show