BOVINA CENTER — Maple season is underway at Maplewood Farm & Orchard, where Duane and Karen LaFever report that all maple trees have been tapped in preparation for the 2026 season.

“With the help of some younger men, we’ve connected the main lines to the sugar house,” said Duane LaFever. He noted that deeper snow made travel through the sugar bush more challenging this year, but preparations were completed successfully.

Now, the season depends on weather conditions.

“It’s up to Mother Nature to give us warm days and cool nights, just below freezing, to have the sap run,” said Karen LaFever.

If conditions cooperate, the LaFever family hopes to produce between 600 and 800 gallons of pure maple syrup this season.

The public is invited to visit during Maple Weekend on March 21, 22, 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can enjoy live maple syrup demonstrations in the sugar house, molded maple sugar demonstrations, a short walk to the sugar bush for tapping demonstrations, maple tastings and a variety of farm-produced maple product samples. The farm store will also be open featuring maple value-added products and local gift items.

Visitors are also encouraged to return during Apple Picking Season, open weekends from September 12 through October 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fall activities include cider pressing demonstrations, fresh cider donuts, hay wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, gem mining, petting animals, hiking and additional family-friendly attractions.

Maplewood Farm & Orchard is located at 596 Miller Avenue in Bovina Center. For more information, call 607-287-8682 or 607-746-6339, or visit www.maplewoodfarmny.com.