The annual Somerville Maple Syrup Project  has returned for its 16th season. It began with a local maple tree tapping on January 27 on Tufts University’s campus Somerville/Medford campus. The project will culminate in the Maple Syrup Boil Down on March 16 at Groundwork Somerville’s urban farm at 138 South Street, Somerville. Each year over 1000 community members participates in the maple events.

The season had an incredible kick-off with the Tapping of the Trees on Sunday, January 27 outside Tufts University’s Tisch Library, followed by a Maple Brunch hosted by the Independent in Union Square on February 18. Over 80 people showed up to learn how to tap maple trees at Tufts. We will host the Maple Syrup Boil Down on March 16 at South Street Farm from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Following that, on April 18, there will also be a special Maple Beer Release Party with waffles at Aeronaut. Throughout this time, Groundwork Somerville has volunteers to help collect sap, teach the maple-themed curriculum to second-grade students, and even start some early season boils. If interested in getting involved, contact casey@groundworksomerville.org.

The Somerville Maple Syrup Project is coordinated by Groundwork Somerville in partnership with the Somerville Community Growing Center, Somerville Public Schools, and Tufts University, and is supported by an amazing roster of sponsors including Cuisine En Locale and ONCE Somerville, Urban Axes, Whole Foods, The Independent, Naveo Credit Union, and Aeronaut Brewing Company.

What began 16 years ago as the small-scale tapping of a few trees on Tufts campus has now grown into a fully-fledged educational project that involves organizations and individuals throughout the Somerville community. Throughout the season, Groundwork Somerville staff trains and supports community volunteers as they teach a 4-week art and science curriculum to 2nd graders at Somerville’s public schools and lead educational activities at the Boil Down. Community members of all ages are invited to the free Boil Down event at Groundwork Somerville’s urban farm located at 138 South Street, Somerville between 10 am and 1 pm on Saturday, March 16th. Sap from local sugar maple trees will be boiled down into pure maple syrup over a hot fire, using a “boiler” built by Somerville high school students. Attendees can expect syrup-tasting, kids’ activities, live music, tapping demonstrations, and more! Waffles, hot drinks, and Maple Syrup Project T-shirts and posters will be on sale to support the continuation of the program as a free offering to schools.

Check the Groundwork Somerville Facebook page and website for updates ! Use #maplesyrupproject2019 to follow the maple syrup news or to post about the event(s), and join us at this unique outdoor festival as we celebrate this delicious winter food tradition and our local urban resources!
For information about The 2019 Maple Syrup Project, the education series, or syrup production contact Casey Merkle, casey@groundworksomerville.org or call 617-628-9988.

— Groundwork Somerville