Hi! I am the Jessica behind the emails and most likely the one answering your phone call! I am also one of several family members that work very hard to ensure we provide you with the highest quality maple syrup there is. Here’s a little bit of my background and I want to tell you about the conservation work we are doing.
I am the 4th generation to live & work our Maple Sugar Farm. 115+ years ago my great grandfather Herman bought the original homestead. He made his first sugarhouse just above my house. My grandfather Hue along with 6 brothers and sisters were born in the house the I live in. Herman and Hue were woodsmen and sugar makers. Their respect for the forest is still passed down through the family today. Thanks to their original forestry management, then my father Dale’s we have a diverse maple sugar bush that is now certified as #birdfriendlymaple by Audubon Vermont. This diverse forest maintains abundant habitat for songbirds and wildlife. The diversity in tree species and blend of farm land maintains a healthy eco system.
I’m working to preserve the farm through long term land conservation. I am also planning to add agri tourism to our farm to help make it self-sufficient so my children and grandchildren can protect and enjoy their heritage. Part of being able to do that is through opportunities in the Richford Woodlots Program under the Cold Hollow to Canada Conservation group. My goal is to make this a working landscape that allows me to be able to retain the property while also preserving the uniqueness of our forest and farm. When you work closely with your land you can see that things are changing & I want to do my part to preserve what we have & mitigate climate change as much as possible. Increasing migratory bird habitat, maintaining mammal corridors & being part of a Carbon Aggregation project are 3 of the ways we are working towards our goals.
My husband, Matt and I live and raised our family my great grandparents house about a quarter mile from my Dad’s house where I grew up. I left for several years, but in my heart this was always home. I joined the US Navy directly out of high school, where I was stationed in Guam on the USS Holland AS 32 which was a submarine tender – the 2nd largest class of ships in the Navy. I spent one tour there, then a couple of years in the Naval Reserve in Seattle, Washington with a refueling unit. I met my husband Matt while on the USS Holland – he has since retired from the US Submarine force and works as a Nurse Practioner at the local hospital NMC. We have 2 college age children, Juliette & Ian, plus a semi adopted nephew/son Andrew who is also in college. I work for Vermont Dairy Herd Improvement Association as a field technician.
I have a menagerie of animals from Dale (mini horse – yes named after my Dad) & Murphy(yes as in Eddie from Shrek), a LOT of chickens and a few quack quacks, Charlotte and Bugsy the bunnies, Mikki the dog ( he appears frequently in my IG), Sammy, Gus Gus and Mr. Buttons the cats that rule the house, and you can’t forget Frank the turtle and the fishies. I have also become an amateur bee keeper ( more sweetness coming your way!).
I enjoy photography, hiking, skiing, gardening & needlework. I’m the current Commander of the Richford Legion Post 12 & a member of the CHC board.
My true passion is Maple Syrup – it’s a family tradition & our roots run deep.
From our trees to your table – only the Best Vermont Maple Syrup!
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