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Did you know that the maple syrup production in New York State is a $32 million industry? It's a staggering amount considering the fact that only 1 percent of all maple trees in the entire state are being tapped and utilized by producers.

It's also interesting to note that New York state is the second largest producer of maple syrup in the United States, which gives reason why it is worthy of its own promotion. On Friday, maple producers, government officials and agri-business representatives kicked off Chautauqua Maple Promotion Day at the Vinewood Acres Sugar Shack in Westfield.

"From the woods out in Forestville, to the sugar bushes in Sherman, to right here on the banks of Lake Erie, where else can you have that diversity but commonality of the maple industry and where else can you see the nature of opportunities that are right here?" Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards said. "What Gail (Black) and her family does by drawing people off Interstate 90 is they introduce people to Chautauqua County, and who wouldn't want to come back once you get here, particularly if you're here when you can get some pancakes!"

Gail Black and her son Robert own and operate the Sugar Shack, which housed the day's events. According to Gail, the shack is visited by about 20,000 people on an annual basis.

"We see people come here and from all across the country, and world. They seem to seek it out. They see advertisements or hear it from people, and we keep a guest book so these people can tell us how they heard about us because it's good for Chautauqua County to know," she said. "For instance, the other day I had 16 Chinese engineers who had been in Niagara Falls to visit come down the Thruway saw my attraction sign and got off to taste maple syrup."

The maple industry is not only an economic draw from tourists, but according to Mary Jane Packer, Executive Director of the New York State Maple Producers Association, it could also be an economic draw for the entire state.

"One of the ways we could become the number one producer of maple products is to find more people interested in becoming a maple syrup producer. Unlike our competitors, New York state only taps about 1 percent of all its sugar maple trees. If we could double the amount of trees we tap - that's just 2 percent of all our trees - we would be the leader in maple production in the United States," Packer said. "We need producers in business now to be able to expand their business with new technology. We need folks who are interested in becoming a producer to give it a try. Our friends at Cornell Cooperative Extension have wonderful beginner programs all across the state and technical support. What about leasing trees? A lot of people who own trees have no interest in being sugar makers. There are 1,500 producers in New York state; one of them would be delighted to be able to lease your trees."

Packer also said that the state Department of Environmental Conservation owns 4 million acres of forested land, which if tapped, could produce up to 20 million maple taps.

"Now there's another economic stimulus where the business pays the state instead of the other way around," she said. "The problem is DEC doesn't have the staff to administer the leasing programs so that's an issue we all need to work on."

Another issue that Packer wanted people to be aware of was the possible infestation of the Asian Longhorned Beetle, which could affect the livelihood of the industry, not to mention of the sugar maple tree itself.

"The Asian Longhorned Beetle, this is not a native species to our state, has been found in western Massachusetts and also reported in New York City and Chicago. You know what the cure is to get rid of an Asian Longhorned Beetle infestation is? Cut it all down, and a quarter of a mile radius from there," she said. "We do not want this bug so be very vigilant. We can stop this before the Sugar Maple goes the way of Dutch Elm or American Chestnut but we have to do it now."

The warning was not to take away from the day's events, but rather to make people aware. People interested in the maple industry will be excited to know that many maple producers including three from Chautauqua County will be participating in the 14th annual New York Maple Weekend on March 21-22 and 28-29. For more information on participating producers for the weekend events visit www.mapleweekend.com

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