The state of Michigan is home to many wonderful sugarmakers. They each have their own unique story, so occasionally we will feature a sugarmaker from around the state to give you a peek into their operation. This month, we invite you to meet Marlin and Florence as we visit the Fox Family Farm!
Growing up in central Wisconsin, Marlin and Florence were neighbors, and both were involved in maple syrup production on their home farms. When each moved to Pennsylvania, their paths crossed again and thus began the Fox Family (Farm). Their desire to return to the Midwest brought them to Farwell in 2007 where they began their first syrup production.
As the family grew, so did the taps and a larger farm was found west of Rosebush in 2017. The family now includes their 6 children who help run the farm [Laramie (13), Kenzie (11), Colton (8), Jacia (6), Brinton (3), and Slater (10 weeks)] and the farm has 1,150 taps with 900 more leased.
This true family farm currently collects sap in the eight acre woodlot by the Fox family and their friends. They use blue plastic bags and, more recently even white wine bags. The sap is brought to the sugar shack, run through the RO and then boiled on a LaPierre Fuxion X 3x12 evaporator fired by wood.
Fox Family Farm syrup is retailed from their front door, at the truck business where Marlin works, online and anywhere they see no syrup being made!
A fun project for Florence and oldest daughter Kenzie has been a book, The Sugar Shack*, A true story as told by Kenzie Fox. The process of making maple syrup is described in easy words for children to understand and accompanied by photography which also helps to tell the story. Marlin’s passion for the production of maple syrup along with his goal to remove fake maple syrup from every refrigerator combined with family and friends working together, is a win-win!
*Kenzie’s book can be ordered by contacting this email: florencejfox@gmail.com or calling 989-802-2252.
