Welch bill gives more dollars to maple

Rep. Peter Welch introduced a bill allowing the maple industry access $20 million in federal grants on Wednesday.

The bill creates a Maple Tapping Access Program that would apply for grants from the US Department of Agriculture. The program would distribute the grant money for research, marketing and to open more land to tapping.

The money coule also be used to fund incentives for private owners to open their land to tapping and to promote sustainability in the maple industry.

“My legislation makes investments in the industry to ensure it remains a strong part of our Vermont’s economy and identity for generations to come,” said Welch.

Welch has been active on the maple syrup front so far this year. In September, Welch got Log Cabin brand syrup to agree to remove the carmel color from their “All Natural Syrup.” This month, Welch wrote to supermarket chains asking them to shelf real Vermont maple syrup separately from other all natural syrups, including Log Cabin.