"Sugaring" Oil Painting by Michael McGovern

As the snow begins to melt and the sun rises higher in the Vermont sky, Woodstock is surrounded by farms where maple syrup is made. This ancient craft, native to northern New England with its native Sugar Maple is labor intensive but the true mark of the end of winter and beginning of spring.

Visit Sugarbush Farm in Taftsville for a tour of their facility. Its an easy drive from the village green, four miles east on Route 4 to the Taftsville Covered Bridge. Go over the bridge and follow the signs up the hill, three miles to the farm, but be prepared with a four-wheel drive vehicle on some days. They call it "Mud Season" at this time of year!

Stop at the Taftsville Country Store for a wide range of locally grown maple syrups, cheeses and specialty foods. Charlie Wilson is there every day of the week to help you make decisions on the variety of tasty selections of artisan cheeses made from Vermont's finest dairies.

Right in downtown Woodstock, F. H. Gillingham & Sons stocks many local farm's maple products. They ship everywhere while giving you a chance to browse through an exceptional general store in the Vermont tradition. Don't be surprised to find unusual gifts from all over the world and a wide selection of toys, games and hunting supplies as well.

Also in Woodstock is a great place for a hearty Vermont breakfast, until 11:30 AM, at The Mountain Creamery where they use real Vermont maple syrup on their pancakes. Or drive about 10 miles west to Blanche and Bill's Pancake House for anything from a Lumberjack breakfast to a stack of blueberry pancakes or waffles. Any time of the year is great for sampling maple syrup!

March is the time for sugaring when the nights are cold and snowy and the days are long and sunny. Many other local farms are listed on the state site. Take a driving tour to watch the lengthy process of boiling to the refined taste of this "sweet gold" known to many.