About Us
Established in 2006
When Jody and Jennifer Butler heard about Maple Knoll, a century farm located three miles from Jennifer’s parents’ home, being offered for sale, they jumped at the opportunity. The previous owners helped found the Potter/Tioga Maple Producers Association, and syrup had been produced on the farm since the 1800’s.
It seemed like a perfect fit to the Butlers. Jennifer grew up on a dairy farm. Jody tapped trees throughout high school and early adulthood, using the proceeds from the 300 taps he harvested to put himself through college. The parcel they purchased includes the historic farmhouse that the Butler’s live in, built in the 1880’s, and the farm’s Sugar House, which they have repaired and use for their own operation.
“We wanted to keep the same kind of tradition that we grew up on, and this is the best thing we can do to keep that value system going,” Jennifer said. “We try to incorporate anything we can to keep our histories and the story going. Everything we use is as much as possible a piece of history. When we’re in the sugar house, it’s stories that entertain us, not electronics.”
The Butlers have continued to improve their operation using more modern technology, such as tubing systems with vacuum, a steam-away, and have recently added a reverse osmosis machine. Even with all of these advancements, they still use a wood-fired evaporator. Anything else that can be reused or recycled is put to good use. Some of the glass-lined dairy tubes used on Jennifer’s parents’ farm are utilized at Butler’s, as are some stainless steel tanks and other sterile equipment.
Jody maintains thirteen antique tractors on the farm, the newest of them built in 1967. They are used in day-to-day operations and put on display during the annual Maple Weekend held in March, along with over twenty others belonging to family and friends.
When the couple purchased the farm, the sugar house had not been used in over twenty years. Jen and Jody cleaned up the equipment and used it, producing enough syrup for the use of themselves and their extended family. The following year, what equipment could be used in commercial production was kept, while anything unsafe or hard to keep clean was discarded, and new equipment purchased to replace it. Bryan and Donna Ianson, owners of Potter County’s Brydonson Farms and members of the Potter/Tioga Maple Producers, helped Jody and Jennifer procure the right equipment and get off to a good start.
Jody and Jen maintain approximately 1000 taps on their 70-acre farm on a picturesque hillside near the village of Farmington Hill in northern Tioga County. Most of these are on a tubing system, as are the 1500 maintained on the land of family members and neighbors. Between 100 and 200 of the taps drain into buckets that hang from the trees in the manner used traditionally on the Butler Farm.
The Butlers have spent the past 14 years making improvements each year. They recently have upgraded their equipment and added a small store to the sugar house. They are very strategic and take small steps as Jody and Jennifer each work full-time jobs and are raising two daughters, Jaylin and Jana, who love to be a part of the farm. “We want this to be something that we love to do, not something that our girls dread,” Jennifer said. “Ultimately, we’re really hopeful one or both of the girls will take it over when we’re ready to retire, so we just try to add something to the operation every year, and expand as it works for our family.”
Jaylin and Jana are now the official Butler Family Maple Tour Guides, and are both active in day to day operations as well as decision making. Jennifer shared, "We only make long term decisions as a family because this is such a part of our culture, and our girls are part of that." Jaylin prefers working outside with the equipment and in the woods, while Jana loves sharing our story and interacting with people. The Butler girls have even taken on the tradition of managing a maple dog biscuit business and setting up a hot cocoa stand at their annual open house. With the money they have made, Jaylin and Jana have donated more than $3,000 to a regional children's hospital.
Boiling demonstrations and tours accompany all the goodies and tractors during the annual Maple Weekend. To reach Butler’s Family Maple, take PA-287 North from Route 6 past Hammond Lake. Turn left onto Elkhorn Road. Drive 2.5 miles and then turn left onto Elkhorn Creek Road. Drive one mile and the farm will be on the left.
Written by: Amanda Jones for the Potter/Tioga Maple Producers and PA Route 6 Alliance
