JOHNSON, Vt.—Sterling Mountain Farm, owned by Rob Maynard and Deb Ravenelle, in Johnson, Vt. bought a new Force 5 Lapierre evaporator and had it delivered last month. 

Neighbors from Umbrella Hill Maple, Arnie Piper, Beth Piper and from Poor Farm Sugar Works, Donald Schroeder, Valerie Schroeder pitched in to help set it up. 

The sale was made by Larrs Hardy of Lapierre USA in Swanton. 

Sugarmakers across the Maple Belt were accepting deliveries of equipment ordered last spring, gearing up for a new season ahead.

Sugarmakers are reporting a high demand for barrels as we go into a new holiday selling season, the busiest for syrup sales.

Bulk buyers and regional packers have been on the hunt for more syrup, with many producers reporting depleted supply.

The high demand is spurring expansion and efficiency improvement projects this off-season.

Bulk prices remain steady at the $2.30 per pound range, but many regional buyers are paying more, to fulfill their wholesale contracts.