What Are the Benefits of Joining the Michigan Maple Syrup Association?

Updated

Joining the Michigan Maple Syrup Association (MMSA) connects you to a statewide network of maple producers and enthusiasts, with practical benefits in three areas: events and training, community and producer resources, and supporting the industry through initiatives like the Ice Storm Relief Fund. Membership is aimed at anyone with an interest in maple—from hobbyists to commercial producers—and the site directs interested people to its "Join Us" section to become a member. The association describes itself as 150+ members strong, representing 150,000+ taps and 50,000+ gallons.

Events and Hands-On Training

Membership ties you into a calendar of main events the association runs each year. Based on the site's event listings:

Event Timing / Location What It Offers
Fall Tour Sept 19, 2026, Rudyard area (Eastern Upper Peninsula) Tour of maple operations; 2026 registration is by mail-in form
Chainsaw Safety Class (SAWW Training) Sept 18, 2026 Safety training ahead of the Fall Tour
Winter Meeting January 16–17, Mt. Pleasant Annual gathering of the maple community
Key Maple Weekend Southern Lower MI March 21–22; Northern Lower MI March 28–29; Upper MI April 11–12 Seasonal events across three regions

The Fall Tour is the most concrete example of member value: it combines a safety training day with a tour day, and registration for 2026 is handled through a mail-in form rather than an online signup.

Community, Learning, and Producer Visibility

The association frames its purpose around education and discovery—how Michigan's early inhabitants made maple syrup, the science of production, and recent technological innovations. For members, that translates into:

  • A producer community. With 150+ members and 150,000+ taps represented, membership puts you in contact with people operating at a range of scales.
  • A public-facing listing. The site maintains a producer locations map ("Find a Sugarbush Near You"), which helps visitors find where maple syrup is being made—useful visibility if you produce syrup yourself.
  • Recognition. The MMSA runs an annual contest; the 2026 Best of Show winner was Maple View Farms (the Zimmerman family), with a full awards list available on the site.

Supporting the Industry: Ice Storm Relief Fund

The association has established an Ice Storm Relief Fund after the 2025 ice storm, which the site describes as devastating for some Michigan producers. Donations go directly to the families most affected. The fund has drawn support from Iron Fish Distillery (Ice Storm Whiskey) and Grand Traverse Pie Company (Michigan Maple Walnut Pie). This is a donation channel rather than a membership perk, but it reflects the kind of mutual aid the association organizes.

How to Join and What to Check First

The site's "Join Us" section is the entry point: it presents how membership can benefit your interest in all things maple and provides the path to becoming a member. Before joining, confirm two things directly on the site:

  1. Current dues and membership tiers—the provided page content does not list membership pricing, so check the Join Us page or the site's checkout page for the actual cost.
  2. Registration mechanics for events—the 2026 Fall Tour uses a mail-in registration form, so plan for that lead time if the tour is your main reason to join.

If your goal is simply to visit a sugarhouse, you don't need to join—use the producer locations map. Membership makes most sense if you want the training, the winter meeting, and ongoing contact with other producers.