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EnglishWhat Is the MMSA Ice Storm Relief Fund and How Can I Support It?
Updated
The MMSA Ice Storm Relief Fund is a relief effort established by the Michigan Maple Syrup Association (MMSA) after the 2025 ice storm that hit Michigan maple producers hard. According to the association, all donations go directly to the families most affected, and the money is meant to help producers rebuild. If you want to support it, the practical path is to donate through the MMSA website (michiganmaple.org) and, if you're in Michigan, to support the partner businesses that are raising awareness and funds.
What the fund is for
The MMSA describes the 2025 ice storm as "devastating for some of our Michigan Maple Syrup producers." The fund exists to help those affected rebuild, with donations directed to the hardest-hit families rather than spread across the organization. That focus matters if you're deciding where to give: the association frames this as direct family relief, not general operating support.
The association's president, David Noonan, ties the effort to the broader maple community — the fund is presented as a way for Michigan's farms, kitchens, and craft producers to support each other after a single severe weather event.
Who is already backing it
Two Michigan businesses are named on the site as supporters:
- Iron Fish Distillery — its Ice Storm Whiskey is tied to the relief effort.
- Grand Traverse Pie Company — its Michigan Maple Walnut Pie is tied to the relief effort.
The MMSA credits both with bringing "vital awareness" to the challenges producers face, and with highlighting maple's versatility across farms, kitchens, and distilleries. If you'd rather support through a purchase than a direct donation, these are the two products the association itself points to.
How to donate
The site's own call is straightforward: "Please considering donating, your support is greatly appreciated." The donation route is the MMSA website, michiganmaple.org. The site also has a checkout page (michiganmaple.org/checkout/), which is where online transactions are handled.
The published material does not state a suggested donation amount, whether donations are tax-deductible, or whether there are membership or login requirements to give. If any of those details matter to you, confirm them with the association directly before donating rather than assuming.
Other ways to help that cost nothing extra
- Attend an MMSA event. The association runs a Fall Tour (2026: Rudyard area, Upper Peninsula, September 19, with a chainsaw safety class September 18), a Winter Meeting in Mt. Pleasant (January 16–17), and Key Maple Weekend across three regions of the state. Event participation supports the producer community the fund serves.
- Buy from Michigan sugarbushes. The site's Producer Locations section and interactive map let you find a sugarbush near you — spending directly with producers is the most direct form of recovery support.
- Join the association. Membership is open to anyone interested in "all things maple," and a larger membership base strengthens the organization that administers the relief fund.
A quick decision guide
| Your goal | Best route |
|---|---|
| Give money directly to affected families | Donate via michiganmaple.org |
| Support through a purchase | Iron Fish Distillery Ice Storm Whiskey or Grand Traverse Pie Company Michigan Maple Walnut Pie |
| Help producers recover through demand | Buy syrup and maple products from a sugarbush on the MMSA producer map |
| Get involved in the community | Attend a Fall Tour, Winter Meeting, or Key Maple Weekend; consider membership |
The fund is small in scope and clearly defined: one storm, one group of producers, donations routed to the most affected families. If that's the kind of relief you want to back, the website is the place to start — and the partner products and producer map give you ways to help beyond a one-time gift.