MANSFIELD – The sugarbush at The Ohio State University at Mansfield will be open to visitors on March 8, during the statewide Maple Madness Tour.
Pancakes and maple syrup will be served from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., alongside educational tours of the 19-acre maple woods.
Tours will include the 1,200 taps and tubing system that run throughout the sugarbush, and an operating evaporator boiling maple sap to make syrup.
“This is a great opportunity to learn more about the syrup making process, and to learn from state professionals who promote the maple mission,” said Gabe Karns, visiting assistant professor in the School of Environment and Natural Resources.
“Come learn about the research we do here, and bring your own ideas and questions.”
There will be tours of the horseshoe vernal pool, where visitors can check for spotted salamanders and ask questions of Marne Titchenell, wildlife program director at Ohio State.
These amphibians live in seasonal wetlands that fill with water in the spring and dry up during the summer. There will also be spotted lanternfly craft and coloring kits for children.
Maple Madness is a statewide tour and includes more than 40 producers. The dates are March 1 and 2 and March 8 and 9 (the Ohio State site is only open Saturday, March 8).
The full list of participants is available on the Ohio Maple Producers Association website, along with an interactive map.
The Mansfield event is free and there is no registration. Meet at the Mansfield Maple Pavilion and be sure and dress for the weather.
Maple enthusiasts can keep an eye on upcoming events by following the Ohio State Maple website, which includes Karns’ monthly blog about maple happenings. If your sweet tooth is craving some Ohio State maple syrup, you can purchase yours online.