SHINGLETON -- Recent weather conditions have made for a very short season for sappers, but that hasn't deterred one maple syrup producer from educating kids about how syrup is made.
The kids love it every year. Harry Haglund invites sixth graders from Mather Elementary School in Munising to his farm each sapping season for a day of fun and education.
"We begin by going out with them and tapping a tree. We walk them through, step by step, the process of making maple syrup," says Haglund.
The students learn how it was once done by Native Americans and the legend of how tree sap was discovered. Then they move on to some of the later tools of the trade until they reach the more modern methods, but it's not all work and no play. The kids were able to help tap a tree and taste the sap for themselves.
"Tasted kind of like flavored water," says sixth grader Alec Blank.
The day ended with each student enjoying some cold treats.
"My favorite part was getting ice cream and fudge," says sixth grader Kelsea Ackerman.
"They're happy. They get here, it's their field trip, and we ought to make it very educational for them, but we also want to try and make it fun," Haglund says.
Unfortunately, the field trip was almost canceled. This year has been way too warm.
"Because of the weather, we only got one week of syrup season where it runs five to six weeks," Haglund explains.
Haglund only produced about eight gallons of syrup this year when he normally manages 25 to 30. There was less syrup than usual this year, but there was more than enough for Haglund to send each teacher and student home with a bottle of their own.
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