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Silver Leaf Farm’s Sweet Success: A Family’s Maple Syrup Journey
Issue #201
In this Marshall Area Insider issue…
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🗞️ Silver Leaf Farm’s Sweet Success: A Family’s Maple Syrup Journey
🗞️ Lynd Students Earn STEM Grant for Maple Syrup Science Project
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Silver Leaf Farm’s Sweet Success: A Family’s Maple Syrup Journey
For Dan Wambeke Jr. and his father, Dan Sr., producing maple syrup is more than just a hobby—it’s a family tradition. The process brings their family together each season at Silver Leaf Farm, located east of Green Valley, where they tap silver maple trees for sap and turn it into syrup sold at the Marshall Farmers Market.
Wambeke Jr. first became interested in syrup-making after attending a demonstration in St. Paul. Realizing his father’s farm had maple trees, he quickly put his curiosity into action. What started as an experiment has now become a 13-year-long family endeavor.
Tapping season typically begins in March, though it can vary depending on the weather. Ideal conditions include freezing temperatures at night followed by daytime thaws, which help move the sap through the trees.
Some years, production fluctuates—two years ago, an early warm spell led to a limited supply, with only enough syrup for one Farmers Market appearance before selling out.
The family’s syrup operation takes place in a renovated granary on the farm, known as the "Sugar Shack." Inside, sap collected from the trees is boiled down, with around 4,000 to 4,500 gallons of sap producing roughly 100 gallons of syrup each year.
The process requires patience, as the sap starts with only 2% sugar content and must be boiled down to 66.7% to become syrup.
Alongside his work as an engineering consultant, Wambeke Jr. enjoys involving his children—Ana, Toby, Claire, and Grace—in the syrup-making process, passing down the family tradition. Over the years, the operation has improved through trial and error, with upgrades like a reverse osmosis system helping refine the process.
While the first batch may have been inedible, Silver Leaf Farm’s syrup has since become a sought-after staple at the local market, symbolizing the hard work and dedication that goes into each bottle.
Lynd Students Earn STEM Grant for Maple Syrup Science Project
Students at Lynd Public School will soon take part in a hands-on science project after receiving a $4,300 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) grant from the Toshiba America Foundation.
The funding will provide essential equipment and materials for a maple syrup production project, allowing students to explore science in a real-world setting.
This spring, students will identify maple trees on school property, collect sap, and evaporate it to create maple syrup.
The project will integrate scientific concepts, including measuring liquid gravity and monitoring tree production levels. As part of the experience, students will also design a reverse osmosis system to filter water from sap and accelerate the concentration process.
The initiative is part of the school's broader environmental education efforts, complementing existing programs such as Trout in the Classroom. The trout study will continue this spring, with students releasing fish at Camden State Park in April.
The Toshiba America Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 1990, funds STEM initiatives for K-12 students across the U.S. This marks the first time Lynd Public School has received a grant from the organization.
In addition to the maple syrup project, the school was recently named a state finalist in Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition. Their proposal to develop a self-sustaining school garden earned them a $2,500 technology prize package.
With multiple maple trees available on school grounds and additional tapping permission on adjacent land, students are eager to begin the syrup-making process.
While the project depends on weather conditions, the hope is to establish it as an annual tradition in the school's science curriculum.
Upcoming Area Events
🗓️ Have an event to add? Send us the details!
Saturday, February 22nd
2025 Mustang Gold Rush Raffle at R/A Facility at SMSU social hour starting at 6:00 PM
Tickets are $100/ person which includes entry into the event & into the reverse raffle.
Enjoy live and silent auctions, along with casino games and a variety of other fun games.
The grand prize of $5,000 is awarded to the last remaining raffle ticket holder.
$2,000 is awarded to the second remaining ticket holder.
3rd, 4th and 5th remaining ticket holders will each be awarded $1,000.
A $100 prize will be awarded seven other times during the raffle.
$500 will be awarded for the 350th ticket drawn.
Sunday, February 23rd
Brunch at the Wood Lake Community Center from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
free will donations
Wednesday, February 26th
2025 State of the City Address at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) Upper Conference Center starting at 11:30 AM
Tickets are $20 for Chamber Members and $25 for Non-Chamber Members
Lunch included
Monday, March 3rd
Marshall Area Cancer Support Group Meetings at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall at 6:00 PM
For patients, survivors, and caregivers looking for support
Wednesday, March 5th (first Wednesday of every month)
Dementia Caregiver Support Group from 10:00 - 11:30 AM at Adult Community Center in Marshall
Open to everyone, come when you can, no cost or obligation to attend, refreshments available
For questions contact Jane Nelson Como (507) 829-1143
Friday, March 7th
KC/VFW Fish Fry at VFW Post 2980, 116 E Saxon St., Ivanhoe, MN from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Serving Beer Battered Cod, French Fries, Vegetable & Dinner Roll
Adults $13, Children (age 10 & under) $9
Saturday, March 15th
Downtown Marshall St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 3:00 PM
Friday, March 21st
KC/VFW Fish Fry at VFW Post 2980, 116 E Saxon St., Ivanhoe, MN from 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Serving Beer Battered Cod, French Fries, Vegetable & Dinner Roll
Adults $13, Children (age 10 & under) $9
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