Sap Happens Farm Grows with FSA Youth Loan

Today, Orion has 350 taps from which he collects 1,500 gallons of sap. The collected sap is filtered three times, netting 30 gallons of syrup.

By Dawn Pindell, Connecticut FSA Outreach Specialist and Dana Rogge, FSA Public Affairs Specialist

In 2013, on a drive to the local farm supply store, 16 year old Orion Newall-Vuillemot’s mother posed a question to him – “Why don’t we boil our own syrup?” That sparked his interest and inspired the creation of Sap Happens Farm.

The Woodstock, Connecticut, youth started with five buckets, collecting sap and processing it on his parent’s kitchen stove. When looking to expand his business, Newall-Vuillemot learned about USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Youth Loan Program. FSA Youth Loans provide young people, ages 10 to 20, financing to start and expand income-producing projects. Newall-Vuillemot received a $5,000 loan to purchase a maple syrup evaporator to help increase production.

FSA Youth Loans are available up to $5,000 for projects connected with participation in 4-H, FFA, a tribal youth group, or similar agricultural youth organization. The project being financed with an FSA Youth Loan needs to provide an opportunity for the young person to acquire experience and education in agriculture-related skills.

Making maple syrup is a year-round commitment. Newall-Vuillemot begins the process by cutting seven cords of wood in the fall.  In the winter, he taps the trees then collects and hauls the sap to the sugar house. There, Newall-Vuillemot boils the sap down and uses a recently purchased finishing unit to complete the bottling process.

“You have to put your mind to it and make it happen,” Newall-Vuillemot said.

Ron Clark, farm loan manager for Connecticut FSA, assisted Newall-Vuillemot on his youth loan application. Clark said working with Newall-Vuillemot was an uplifting experience for him and his staff.

“It was nice to see how interested and determined he was to pursue producing maple syrup for sale,” Clark said. “Orion was well-organized, passionate and motivated to succeed. He sought advice and was able to develop it into a small scale business.”

Today, Newall-Vuillemot has 350 taps from which he collects 1,500 gallons of sap. The collected sap is filtered three times, netting 30 gallons of syrup. He taps trees on his family’s three acres and also at nine other locations. Newall-Vuillemot shows his appreciation to the tree owners by giving them maple syrup.

Newall-Vuillemot found a mentor in Glenn Boies, also of Woodstock. Boies, a fellow maple syrup producer, loaned Newall-Vuillemot equipment as he got started in syrup production. Boies, along with other local maple producers, have taken the time to advise Newall-Vuillemot on all aspects of syrup production.

“A lot of people in the area who do maple syrup have been very supportive of Orion by lending him equipment and supporting the project,” said Jane Newall, Orion’s mother. “We are thankful for their community spirit and their willingness to pass on the knowledge and experience they have to help Orion keep the tradition of producing maple syrup going.”

Sap Happens Farm maple syrup is sold at local stores in Woodstock. Newall-Vuillemot also sells the syrup to his high school, Woodstock Academy, where some students are trying maple syrup for the first time. The use of his syrup on the school menu has expanded his sales to others.

Sap Happens Farm maple syrup won first place at the Woodstock Fair in 2015 and 2016. After he graduates from high school, he plans to continue tapping trees while he attends community college.

Through his experience, Newall-Vuillemot encourages other young entrepreneurs.

“You learn so much from the experience. Producing maple syrup has also taught me to be prepared to deal with unexpected situations,” Newall-Vuillemot said. “You can choose to raise a calf, start a greenhouse or other agriculture venture. At least try something and challenge yourself to do your best.”

For more information, contact your local FSA office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.