Family Roots Farm receives kudos at international event

WELLSBURG -- While the clan behind Family Roots Farm had traveled to Sturbridge, Mass., primarily to spread the word about resources available to maple farmers like themselves but they returned with a sweet surprise.

Their maple sugar was named the best among entries in a contest held during the 2023 International Maple Syrup Council Conference, an event that drew several hundred maple farmers and others from Canada and northeastern U.S. states from New England to Virginia.

Britney Hervey Farris said she and her family -- including her husband, Charlie, and parents, Fred and Cathy Hervey -- were surprised to receive the award for a second time, having won it also in 2015.

She said granulated maple sugar entered in the contest was judged on texture as well as flavor.

It must not be too dry or too moist, passing a "creep" test demonstrating that it won't cake.

The sugar is among several maple-based products the family produces on its 200-year-old farm off state Route 27.

They also have sold many bottles of maple syrup as well as maple cream, fudge, candy and nuts at local stores, farmers markets and tourist attractions.

Their products can be found on shelves at Mark's Carryout, a local convenience store; Brooke County Farmers Market, the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau's gift shop, Wheeling Artisan Center, Wheeling Public Market and Oglebay Farmhouse.

But it also can be ordered online through the farm's website.

"We ship all over," said Britney, who said the farm has customers in Florida, California and Alaska as well as Mexico, England, Spain and Thailand, though she said most have some ties to Brooke County.

While the internet has helped spread word of the farm, the Herveys have worked to spread word of the small farm sector of the nation's economy and the help available to the farmers in it.

Britney explained she was at the international conference to speak on resources that are available to such farm operations through an acer grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The grant is named for the genus in which maple trees belong.

Presenting before hundreds at the international conference, it was the largest audience for which Britney has appeared, but it wasn't her first speaking engagement.

One of four West Virginia Women in Agriculture recognized at the West Virginia State Fair in 2017, Britney has spoken about agritourism, the practice of inviting visitors to see farm operations firsthand, at various venues.

She said training through the West Virginia University Extension Service's Agritourism Initiative helped prepare her for such talks.

Dating to 1775, the family farm was used for many years to raise various livestock.

It was not until more recent years that the Herveys and Farrises began producing maple syrup, as a hobby, in Cathy's kitchen.

Britney said one or two taps can be drilled into a maple, each no more than 5/16 of an inch, to draw sap that can be converted into sugar and syrup.

Her family has employed up to 1,000 but currently is using about 750, she said, adding the sap is harvested between late January and early February, depending on the weather.

In warmer winters, it's usually later, Britney noted, while adding the best weather for maple production is sunshiny days mixed with freezing cold nights.

Fifty gallons of sap water must be boiled to produce one gallon of maple sugar.

In 2015, they decided to turn their hobby into a business, adding first a 10-foot-by-10-foot shack in which to process the sap water and later expanding to a 40-by-40 foot building they have dubbed the Sugar Shack.

The building has been the site of special events in which visitors have observed the process of creating maple sugar and syrup and enjoyed treats and meals incorporating their products.

For several years they have joined many other West Virginia farmers and businesses in participating in Mountain State Maple Days, a March event promoted by the West Virginia Maple Syrup Producers Association.

Britney said the family plans to take part again this year but hasn't finalized the details.

"Our biggest joy is when people tell us they feel at home when they are here," she said.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)