Commissioner of Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt to Kick Off Mountain State Maple Days

CHARLESTON, WV – West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt and Chef Paul Smith will kick off the 2022 Mountain State Maple Days with a ceremonial tree tapping at 11:30 a.m. on February 19 at Ronk Family Maple Farm in Lincoln County. Paul Ronk is the current WV Maple Syrup Producer’s Association (WVMSPA) president and Chef Paul will be representing the Governor’s newly launched Chef Ambassador program.

WHAT: Maple Day Kickoff and ceremonial tree tapping
WHEN: Saturday, February 19, 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Ronk Family Maple Farm, 725 Whispering Pines, Alum Creek, WV 25003

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) reported West Virginia had 77,000 taps that produced 13,000 gallons of syrup worth $339,000 in 2021. The Mountain State has approximately 164 million sugar maples within its forested areas indicating an opportunity for growth. The primary entity trying to tap into this prospect is the West Virginia Maple Syrup Producers Associations which has more than 50 members.

A total of 22 businesses will be participating between the two Maple Days, February 19 and March 19. Click for all the participating maple houses: Mountain State Maple Days Participants – West Virginia Maple Syrup Producers Association (wvmspa.org)

For more information, contact Lindsay Kazarick, 304.358.2000 ext 120.

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials who sits on the Board of Public Works.