Story and photos by: Quentin Melson, Public Affairs Specialist, NRCS-VT 

With the help of NRCS, the owners of Branon’s West View Maples in Fairfield, Vermont, have been able to upgrade and modernize their maple syrup producing operation and deliver more of Vermont’s famous condiment all over America. NRCS has also helped them conserve and maintain the land in ways that allow them to pass on the farm to future generations.

“Our children are the seventh generation of maple syrup producers in the Branon family,” said Vermont Maple Syrup Producer Gene Branon. “Back in the day, we had a dairy farm, but after the dairy farm burnt, we broke out the buckets and hoses, and we’ve been sugaring ever since.”

Matt Branon examines maple syrup coming out of the maple sap evaporator at Branon’s West View Maples in Fairfield, Vermont.

The century-old farm’s day-to-day operations are run by husband-and-wife team Gene and Desiree Branon and family. The operation is a great example of the positive benefits that can be seen through collaboration with NRCS. Over the years, the 2500-acre maple orchard with over 115,000 taps, has worked with NRCS and utilized many conservation programs that involve both forest management and operations efficiency.

NRCS Soil Conservationist Lauren Gibson and Maple Syrup Producer Desiree Branon examine maple sap reservoirs at Branon’s West View Maples in Fairfield, Vermont.

A beneficial conservation practice that many maple syrup producers, including the Branons, benefit from is Forest Stand Improvement.

Forest Stand Improvement is the manipulation of the species composition, structure, or density of a stand of trees to achieve a desired forest condition.

“The practice focuses on getting the forest to a correct stocking level and good species composition to ensure forest health and optimal productivity,” said NRCS Soil Conservationist Lauren Gibson.

So far, the practice has been working great in the Branon’s sugaring woods.

“The Branons are doing an excellent job at crop tree management,” said Lauren. “Their work in the woods is keeping the maples healthy and their maple syrup operation going strong. 

Maple syrup samples at Branon’s West View Maples in Fairfield, Vermont.

Another conservation practice that the maple syrup producers have employed is Brush Management. Brush Management involves the removal of invasive or noxious plants. With the removal of unwanted plants such as honeysuckle and buckthorn, not only can the maple trees flourish, but other native species of trees including cherry, oak, and other high value trees are able to survive. 

“The Branons have completed Brush Management in open fields that are not mowed for hay,” said Lauren. “Keeping these fields open allows for pollinators and birds to use the fields during the breeding season and prevents unwanted species like invasives from colonizing the area.”

These practices were made possible through NRCS’ Conservation Stewardship Program or CSP. CSP helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservational activities to address priority resource concerns. 

 Another CSP-funded conservation practice that the producers are currently using is Nutrient Management. Nutrient Management is a sustainable approach to delivering the right nutrients at the right time, to the right place, to maximize economic benefit, while minimizing environmental impact.

“The nutrient management practice that was funded by CSP has been very helpful in allowing us to continue to be good stewards of the land,” said Gene. “With Lauren’s help, we’ve been able to come up with a plan that helps us determine the correct amount of fertilizer to use on our cropland.”

NRCS Soil Conservationist Lauren Gibson and Maple Syrup Producer Desiree Branon at Branon’s West View Maples in Fairfield, Vermont.

Over the years, the Branons’ partnership with NRCS has been fruitful and they have many other conservation practices in the works. One of the planned conservation activities is Combustion System Improvement.

“They currently have an EQIP application on file that will upgrade their maple sap transport truck to meet Tier 4 EPA emissions standards,” said Lauren. “We also have another practice in the application on file that will connect five pick up locations into one so that there will be less stress on the town roads. Fewer sap transport trips equal less fuel use which means more money for the Branons and less emissions to the environment.”

EQIP or the Environmental Quality Incentive Program is NRCS’ flagship conservation program that helps farmers and forest landowners resolve natural resource concerns on working land. The maple syrup producers are looking forward to employing new conservation practices with this program as well as continuing their current conservation practices.

The Branon Family with NRCS Soil Conservationist Lauren Gibson at Branon’s West View Maples in Fairfield, Vermont (from L-R: Matt Branon, Dan Branon, Sr., Lauren Gibson, Gene Branon, Desiree Branon, Isaac Branon and Kaleb Branon).

“Lauren has been very helpful in helping us make the best decisions for our operation,” said Gene Branon. “She’s very knowledgeable about all of the different practices available and I appreciate that.”