maple syrup contest

Syrup Contest Winners and Backyard Syrup Workshop

by at

The winners have been announced for this year’s John Berry Maple Syrup Contest.  Ribbons and plaques were handed out a couple Saturdays ago at Ohio Maple Days.  Let’s give everyone a virtual round of applause!

Delicate – No entries qualified

 

Amber – WINNER Rachel Mazur from Sweet Life Maple.  A huge congratulations to take a highly competitive category.  Sweet Life Maple have grown leaps and bounds since they first came to Ohio Maple Days several years back as maple curious folks who were just getting started.  What a testament to their growth and development as sugarmakers in just a few short years.

2nd place – Mark & Jennifer Johnston at Dunlap Ridge Maple

3rd place – Dave & Christina Remy at Maple Valley Sugarhouse

 

Dark – WINNER Aggie Sojka-Sperry from Gingerich Brothers

2nd place – Dan & Kelly Brown at Bonhomie Acres

3rd place – Gay & Galen Smith at Double G Maple

 

Very Dark – WINNER Aggie Sojka-Sperry from Gingerich Brothers.  A dominant showing by Gingerich Brothers this year, a big congratulations to Aggie & Co.

2nd place – Rick Bale at Bale Kenyon Farms

3rd place – Gay & Galen Smith at Double G Maple

 

The Dick Schoor Small Producer Award recognizes top syrup quality from smaller operations  This year’s winner was Rick Bale at Bale Kenyon Farms.

 

The Best in Show Hilton Farley Award went to Aggie with Gingerich Brothers!

 

In case you’re inspired to try making maple syrup next year but you are unsure where to start, there is a perfect fit mid-January event just for you.  Join Backyard Maple Production_January 15th Program to learn how to make maple syrup in your backyard.  Cost in minimal and all participants will go home with the supplies needed to tap their first couple of maple trees.  Register and claim your spot here!

Maple Contests & Event Reminders

by at

With a host of wins logged at the International level (more on that later…), let’s be sure to represent in our own state contests.  At this year’s Ohio Maple Days (December 6th), there will be two contests.

First, a maple confections contest with the categories of candy, granulated sugar, and maple spread.  The entry deadline is December 6th in person at the Ashland facility by 9 AM or you can send your entry to Richards Maple Products at 545 Water Street, Chardon, OH 44024 to meet the mail-in entry deadline of December 4th.  A big thanks to Jen Freeman for volunteering to organize the confections competition.  You can find full details by downloading the 2025 OMPA candy contest score sheet.

Second, winners of the John Berry Maple Contest will be announced at the same event.  Ribbons will be awarded to the top three places in each class (Golden Delicate, Amber, Dark, Very Dark) as well as a plaque awarded to the best overall syrup score by a Small Sugar Maker and for the Hilton Farley distinction of best-in-show.  All samples must be dropped off or shipped (along with a John Berry Contest Entry Form 2025) to one of the following 4 locations by November 22, 2025.  For any questions or clarifications, reach directly out to Galen Smith at 740-398-3373.

  • OMPA Table at Lake Erie Maple Expo
  • Richards Maple Products (545 Water Street, Chardon, OH 44024)
  • Gortner Maple (1222 TWP Rd 13, West Salem, OH 44287)
  • Galen Smith (12860 Henry Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050)

Which brings us to Ohio Maple Days.  Registration is open for the main event on Saturday, December 6.  And please consider attending Friday’s Maple Grading Workshop that will be held at the same facilities from 10 AM-3 PM on Dec 5.

John Berry Maple Contest – Submissions Accepted

by at

As part of the Ohio Maple Days event, Ohio Maple Producers Association is hosting the John Berry Maple Contest.  Awards will be presented at the December 7th Ohio Maple Days event, and ribbons will be given out to the top three places in each class – Golden Delicate, Amber, Dark, Very Dark.  The best overall score in the Small Sugar Maker will receive a plaque as will the Best of Show producer by winning the Hilton Farley Contest.

Click here for your Entry form and additional details on syrup submission.

Contest participants can send entries to or drop them off at the 5 following locations:

  • OMPA Winter Banquet
  • OMPA Table at Lake Erie Maple Expo
  • Richards Maple Products (7955 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, OH 44094)
  • Gortner Maple Syrup (1222 Township Road 13, West Salem, OH 44287)
  • Galen Smith (12860 Henry Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050)

All entries must be received by November 22 to qualify for the John Berry Maple Contest.  For any questions or clarification, please contact Galen Smith 740-398-3373.