Maple syrup business certified organic

MARY DRIER

For the Tribune

UPPER THUMB — The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association recently notified MapleWorxz of Cass City that is has been certified as an Organic Maple Syrup producer.

“The lengthy certification process started in August of last year with a 44 page application and culminated with an intensive inspection of our maple operation by a certified organic inspector last March,” explained Thom Bardwell who is the patriarch of the family operated business.

It has been an educational journey, which underscored that the company is operating and producing maple syrup at a level that few are able to achieve — a level that meets all the best practices in processing maple sap into organic maple syrup.

“From tree to table, our maple syrup process assures our customers the best in organic quality and packaging,” Bardwell said.

Although maple syrup from the sap of maple trees is a natural product, there is more to that to become certified organic.

Organic products are grown naturally without the use of any products, such as pesticides, chemicals or other non-natural ingredients that have not been approved as organic.

“In other words, our maple syrup is produced using the highest standards to assure that there

is no contamination by any non-organic ingredient or product,” Bardwell said. “Unlike conventional maple syrup, our organic syrup goes through many unique processes.”

Some of the steps in the process include:

Maple woodlots are inspected and certified. They have buffer areas to assure no non-organic contamination from neighboring areas comes in.

Taps into a maple tree are limited to a diameter of 16 inches and above to assure proper forest management and no more than one tap per tree.

Fertilizers and other non-organic substances are not allowed to enhance tree growth or to be on surrounding areas such as farmland that is not organic.

“Only approved cleaners are used on the equipment. We use white vinegar. Equipment is restricted to stainless steel and our maple process is lead free,” he said, noting those are only a few of the perimeters that have to be met. “MapleWorxz has a licensed kitchen by the Michigan Department of Agriculture assuring cleanliness and process control.”

Organic certification requires rigorous record keeping and the tracking of batches or lots for process traceability should there be a problem with the bottles or syrup after the sale, and the operation is reviewed by an independent organic certified inspector.

In January, MapleWorxz was also awarded the top honor of “Best of Show” by the Michigan Maple Syrup Association.

Bardwell makes syrup the same way as when the business was started in 1949 by his grandfather, Frank Bardwell and his father Fred Bardwell.

This year his son, Aaron Bardwell, who is a Naturopathic Doctor, is the fourth generation to help carry on the business.

The Bardwells boil sap straight from the tree without removing any water with reverse osmosis, although doing that would cut down on the time to make syrup. He feels that is what gives syrup the best flavor.

In an average year, each tap hole in a tree will produce about 10 gallons of sap, which will make about one quart of maple syrup.

Bardwell is the chair of the Tuscola County Board of Commissioners, and besides the maple syrup business, the Bardwell family also operates a custom frame business at their residence at 3540 North Hurds Corner Road, Caro.

For more information or to order some MapleWorxz syrup go to / mapleworxz.com or call 989-550-7648. Thom Bardwell, with his wife, Karla, as well as other family members operate MapleWorxz in rural Cass City. Their maple syrup company recently earned the designation as a certified Organic Maple Syrup producer. (Mary Drier/For the Tribune) “From tree to table, our maple syrup process assures our customers the best in organic quality and packaging.”

Thom Bardwell

MapleWorxz owner

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Thom Bardwell’s MapleWorxz maple syrup is now USAD Certified Organic, which wasn’t an easy designation to get. (Courtesy Photo)

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Michigan Sugar Fest The Michigan Sugar Fest in Sebewaing is always a major draw for the area every June. This year’s event was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak, but will make a return next year. Here are some photos from the 2019 Sugar Fest. (Tribune File Photo)

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Essential business facing pandemic head on

Local business owner prepares for changes beyond coronavirus

PAIGE WITHEY

For the Tribune

KINDE — Charlotte Ignash, owner of the Kinde One Stop, has taken the pandemic in stride and works hard to provide high quality service while keeping her employees safe.

Since its opening in 2013, the Kinde location, an addition to her Caseville Clark gas station, has truly turned into an essential business in the community.

“People in Huron County know and trust each other, especially now you see people who are willing to help someone without hesitation,” Charlotte said. “People come in and buy things for their neighbors or friends in need.”

Due to the pandemic, Charlotte has had to cut hours and close My Sons Sub Shack, which was previously Chester’s Chicken, located in the Kinde gas station. Along with so many other community businesses, Charlotte is implementing changes that could possibly stay in place even after the precautions are lifted.

“With schools being closed and many people unable to go to work, the stay-at-home order has decreased store traffic,” Charlotte said. “For safety, aside from adding

The coronavirus pandemic has brought some changes to the Kinde One Stop, but owner Charlotte Ignash has taken them in stride. (Paige

Withey/For the Tribune)

plexiglass partitions, every employee is provided a mask to wear at their discretion.”

“Upon arrival to work, each employee needs to answer a questionnaire and take their temperature,” she added. “If there are any changes in their health, they need to report it to myself.”

Along with limiting the number of people in the store, disinfecting surfaces, and marking the floor to demonstrate social distancing, both Clark locations have had to deal with staffing changes due to the coronavirus precautions. Charlotte commended her employees for stepping up and rallying together amid the chaos.

“Hopefully as the stayat-home order is lifted and the economy opens back up people will be cautiously traveling,” Charlotte said. “Changes are likely to include wearing face masks, social distancing, canceled festivals, and limited group activities.”

“Summertime is very important to seasonal businesses of Huron County,” she added.

“With common sense, I’m hopeful that businesses will be able to salvage what they can from the coming months.”