COLUMBUS, Ohio – Tapping maple trees is a tough task for the 900-plus producers in Ohio. Thanks to the USDA, life for them is going to get a lot easier.

The USDA will now offer technical expertise and financial assistance to help Ohio maple producers fund their operations, conserve natural resources and recover from natural disasters.

“We know this is a busy time for our maple producers,” said Mark VanHoose, acting state executive director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Ohio. “Whether you’ve been a producer in our state for years or are just getting started, we encourage you to contact your local USDA Service Center to learn about programs and services to fit your business needs.”

FSA offers funding opportunities to help maple producers start, expand and maintain their operations.

“I encourage maple producers, especially operations interested in organic certification, to reach out to NRCS,” said John Wilson, acting state conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. “Our local offices offer one-on-one technical assistance and financial support to help strengthen your operation. We offer programs and services that not only benefit Ohio maple producers but conserve natural resources as well.”

Producers in Ohio may also qualify for NCRS programs that support conservation efforts across maple operations. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial assistance and technical support to help maple producers address natural resource concerns through voluntary conservation practices. Multiple conservation practices for qualifying maple producers may be available through EQIP, including those to improve energy efficiency, filter sap and improve evaporation rates.

In addition, FSA and USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) offer programs to help maple producers prepare for and recover from the impacts of natural disasters.

FSA’s Farm Storage Facility Loan Program provides low-interest financing so producers can build or upgrade facilities to store certain commodities.

Maple sap and maple syrup are both eligible, and equipment and facilities such as sap tanks, certain hauling trucks and storage space for maple syrup qualify. Eligible facilities and equipment may be new or used, permanently affixed or portable.

Additionally, there are several types of farm loans available to help maple producers finance their businesses. These loans are administered through FSA and offer access to funding for a wide range of agricultural needs, from securing land and constructing buildings to financing the purchase of equipment.

Through its Tree Assistance Program, FSA offers financial assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines lost due to natural disasters. This includes eligible maple trees from which an annual crop is produced for commercial purposes.

Maple producers in Ohio are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center to learn about resources to support their operations both during the harvest season and throughout the year. Producers can also visit www.farmers.gov/fund for more information.

In addition to Ohio, the USDA is offering those in New York with similar technical expertise and financial assistance.

Nationwide, the U.S. maple syrup production totaled 4.24 million gallons in 2019, an increase of 1 percent from the previous year. The number of taps is estimated at 13.3 million. The average price per gallon was $33.80.

According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Michigan is tops in maple syrup production in the Farm World readership area, having a total of 875 farms with a combined 664,289 taps. There are 448 farms in Ohio engaged in syrup production with 465,934 taps. Indiana has 288 farms working in syrup with 80,730 taps. Others in the region are Kentucky (87 farms, 12,466 taps), Illinois (60 farms, 10,008 taps), Iowa (53 farms, 13,808 taps) and Tennessee (15 farms, 992 taps).

The top three maple syrup producing states are Vermont (2.02 million gallons), Maine (717,000) and New York (714,000 gallons). The rest of the top 10 are Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Connecticut.