Vermont’s Farming Families: True Work Ethic

Matthew Toll
3/30/2010

The culture in the state of Vermont is sometimes hard to “figure out”. Sometimes the University of Vermont and the college life-style come to mind first. While to others, Vermont is commonly thought of as a rural, agriculturally oriented state. These two cultures, although very different, often merge into each other in the city of Burlington.

Vermont isn’t well known for its big business and national trade, but the maple syrup industry breaks the mold. The state of Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States by far, producing as much as 900 thousand gallons of syrup annually. This is the most of any state in the U.S. according to the United States Department of Agriculture, with Maine coming in second with a fraction of that: 395 thousand gallons.

Family owned and operated maple syrup shacks and full farms are the backbone of this industry. With the syrup business growing so much and the growth of out of state, mass-producing farms, many Vermont families have turned their business from produce such as meat and vegetables to the production of delicious maple syrup.

The Branon Family Maple Orchards are a perfect example of a merging of contemporary Burlington ideals mixed in with the hard-working nature that family-owned and operated farms are known for. Originally started primarily as a dairy farm, the Branon family has owned and operated their land for nearly 6 generations. Slowly they’ve begun to shift their focus from dairy and meats to maple syrup, as that is the industry that has become most sustainable for Vermont farmers.

Located in Bakersfield, Vermont, with land in Fairfield as well, the Branon Family Orchards are in a perfect location, close to Burlington while still being in the country, with plenty of land. By being this close to Burlington, they’re able to sell large quantities in their own state, as well as export it out of state for a larger profit.

The state of Vermont also celebrates a reputation for hard-workers, and the work ethic on these farms doesn’t sell their reputation short at all. Nearly everyone in the family pulls their weight in one way or another. Evan Branon, a twenty year old who is currently a student in Burlington, goes home every weekend during the busy syrup harvest to help his family earn a living and continue their business.

“I’m proud to be part of a family that can run a successful business in hard economic times, and one that also contributes to the state of Vermont. Although it may not be what I want to do for a living, I’m always willing to come home from school to help out with the work,” said Evan.

Having a good work ethic instilled in him since a young age by his family, Evan Branon is able to apply that to school, as well as anything else he chooses to pursue.

Branon explained, “I feel lucky to have grown up with such a hard working mindset among my parents and the rest of the family. I’m not sure I’d be as good of a student had I not grown up in the environment that I did.”

With over forty major maple syrup producers in the state, what makes the Branon’s syrup special, and how do they attract business with such a large number of “sugar-houses” in the surrounding area? Much of the draw of the Branon Family Orchards is the close atmosphere you feel, like everyone there is working to help each other; but what truly draws in the tourists and buyers is the quality and freshness of the syrup produced at the farm. They tap syrup from trees as old as 100 years, while making sure they don’t over-tap any one tree or growth. The Branon Orchards offer every grade of maple syrup, making sure it’s completely organic, and also produce Vermont Maple Sugar and Vermont Maple Cream.

Since the syrup industry is so important to the sustainability of Vermont, it’s important that family farms such as the Branon’s don’t become few and far between, as they are needed to keep trade industries in Vermont successful. They contribute to Vermont industry and trade, upholding values, and also work to keep the environment clean and healthy, making the Branon’s true Vermonters.