Meadow Ridge Maple is part of Fischer Lind Farms Ltd (a spousal partnership) producing corn, soybeans, wheat, and forest products).

 

We emphasize no-till field crop production on our Walkerton area farms and sustainable forest management for the various farm woodlots and Edge-of-Algonquin forest.

 

Prior to 2007 we operated a 70-cow dairy herd for 30 years and it is at the back end of this 5th generation home farm where we relocated in 2005. Maple syrup production was initiated in 2016. 

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Our modern sugar camp is of timber frame construction with modern kitchen facilities. It is located for easy public access and is constructed primarily from Ash trees within the bush plus materials from the former dairy barns and old farmhouse. It is also near Westwind (our log home) as a source of electricity and water.

 

Maple Bush
 

In 1977 (the year we began dairying) we prevented our Holsteins from accessing the bush. This indirectly has provided for an even-aged stand of maples and many other tree species. This allows for 800 taps on vacuum along a ridge and down across an open meadow (Meadow Ridge).

 

Sugar Camp and Production
 

• Modern, efficient 3’x10’ evaporator with pre-heater.

• Reverse Osmosis unit (2 membranes; 240 GPH) operating in a separate insulated room.

• Sap collection points are on either end of our maple events pavilion - they are connected by an underground vacuum line. Fresh cool sap is then transferred by overhead lines to the sugar camp for processing.

• In 2018 we hosted a one-half day pancake breakfast for approximately 300 guests in our Westwind home.

• In 2019 we had over 500 guests for a two-morning breakfast in our maple events pavilion. 

• In 2023 we began Meadow Ridge Maplefest, a partnership with the Walkerton and District Optimist Club. On April 1st over 1000 meals were served out of our sugar camp kitchen in a 4-hour period.

• For the past five years maple syrup has been marketed primarily through ‘self-serve’ and pre order ‘porch-pickup’ sales from our Westwind porch.

 

What makes our syrup different from others?

There are several factors: 

• Our sap is derived from a single forest of trees growing in the rich soils of the Saugeen River valley from February to April.

• Once sap is collected it is boiled within 24 hours on a wood-fired modern evaporator into delicious maple syrup.

• We purposely make our syrup the way we like it – thicker than required, for great flavour and mouth feel.