About Us
Our Story
At Maple Grove Farm of Afton, TN, we blend the time-honored techniques of Vermont maple syrup production with the unique climate of Tennessee. Seeking a new adventure and drawn by the beauty of Tennessee, Don and Jody Wiggin relocated to this vibrant region in 1980. Inspired by the similarities in the Vermont and Tennessee landscapes, Don desired to keep the sugaring tradition alive in his family.
Each winter, Don and his three boys continued their backyard sugaring operation armed with washed metal cans and hand-carved elderberry spiles or spouts. As the boys grew and the family expanded, the sugaring operation moved from an outside fire to a hand-crafted evaporator and firebox placed in an old tobacco barn in our current location. Family and friends began to anxiously await the limited amounts of golden syrup produced by the family each year.
As interest in the family tradition increased, the size of our evaporator and the number of taps also increased. Today there are three generations of the Wiggin family living on the farm and tapping into the abundant maple trees that grace our Tennessee home. Our season begins in early January when temperatures fluctuate between freezing at night and thawing during the day. During this time, the entire family and close friends lend a hand in collecting the sap and preserving its natural purity. Through the boiling processes and careful craftsmanship, we transform this sap into the golden nectar known as 100% pure maple syrup.
Please continue down the page to learn more about us. If you are interested in learning about our products, check out our products page or head on over to our online store!
Our Roots
While often overshadowed by the iconic syrup regions of Vermont and Quebec, our Appalachian area boasts its rich history of maple syrup making. The entire Appalachian region, stretching from Alabama to Canada, encompasses a diverse range of ecosystems, including the hardwood forests that are the lifeblood of maple syrup production. These forests, predominantly consisting of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and red maple (Acer rubrum) trees, provide the ideal conditions for sap collection. From the Cherokee and Shawnee tribes who first harvested maple sap centuries ago to modern-day families like us who continue the practice, the art of syrup-making is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of the region.
Though our roots may stretch back to Vermont, our hearts now beat to the rhythm of Tennessee's seasons. We invite you to join us on this sweet journey as we continue to bring a taste of Vermont to the hills of Tennessee, one bottle of maple syrup at a time.