Microloan Program Helps Illinois Couple Make Maple Syrup

The Staleys grew their maple syrup operation with a microloan from FSA.

By Mary Kirby, Illinois FSA

In 2007, Mike and Kim Staley purchased a farm in Elmwood, Illinois. Formerly an apple orchard, the couple decided to transition the land into a maple syrup operation after watching a documentary about how to make syrup.

“We got into this business by accident,” said Mike. “After watching the documentary, I told my wife that we should try making maple syrup, seeing as there were maple trees on our property already. She got me a starter kit for Christmas and we made 15 bottles that year.”

While the Staleys started out only making syrup for personal use, they now operate as Cramer Creek Farm, tapping over 200 trees as a certified maple syrup operation and selling their syrup locally.

“For the first four years, we only made syrup for ourselves and our friends,” said Mike. “I wanted to make sure this was something I really wanted to do before we decided to go commercial.”

With a microloan from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Staleys were able to grow their operation, adding a sink, range and cooler, along with a well, septic system and a roof for the sugar house. Microloans provide flexible access to credit for small, beginning and niche agricultural operations.

Cramer Creek Farm’s syrup season runs from early February to late March.

Cramer Creek Farm’s syrup season runs from early February to late March. The Staleys spend most of that time in the sugar house, feeding the fire every 30 minutes with the wood they split earlier in the year.

After the sap is collected, it is piped into the evaporator where it is boiled until it reaches 214 degrees.  From the evaporator, the sap reduction is moved into a finishing pan on the stove where it cooks until it reaches 219 degrees.

From the final pan, the mixture is processed through a filter press that removes any impurities and the remaining maple syrup is bottled, graded and placed in the freezer waiting for sale. Cramer Creek Farm produced 60 gallons of syrup in 2018, with hopes to make 100 gallons this year.

“I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything as good as the maple syrup when it’s done,” said Mike. “The harvest is my favorite part [of the process].”

To learn more about FSA’s programs and services, contact your local FSA office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov. To find your local FSA office, visit www.farmers.gov.