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ONTARIO MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATIONAlgoma Local
Ontario Maple Syrup Producers' AssociationLife Time Achievement Award Recipient - Doug Thompson
Doug and his father Ken partneredin the purchase of a 100 acre's ofproperty on St. Joseph Island in 1977thus launching "Thompson MapleProducts". It was an establishedsugar bush comprising of 2,500taps on vacuum line. The evaporatorwas five by sixteen feet and fueledby a wood-fired arch. A few yearslater a steam plant from a boat wasacquired for the finishing processand soon after for all evaporation.Experimentation was conductedwith sawdust and other combustible combinations beforeconverting to oil.
In 1991 the operation was expanded to 20,000 taps andDoug and Joyce bought out their partners' share. Inorder to maximize the benefit of the expansion a "PackingFacility" was added. A new house was constructed andthey moved on site becoming fulltime residents. AlthoughDoug and Joyce do the majority of the packing theydo have several dedicated retired employees that lookforward to participating in the operational maintenance ona seasonal basis. Their operation is CFIA certified and hasalso been organic certified since 2005.
In addition to converting to steam forevaporation Doug has also installed atwo line delivery system for sap andvacuum which ensures high vacuumat the end lines. In order to maximizehigh inches of vacuum to all sectorsof the bush a system for monitoringwas also developed.In 2013 "The Premiers Award ForInnovation" was bestowed on Dougfor his monitoring system.
Thompson's Maple Products maplesyrup was featured as the world champion in 1984 andagain in 1989 as well as being reserve champion in 1995.Thompson's Maple Products have been marketedworldwide and has even flown into space in RobertaBondar's "Tuck Bag".
Doug has been an active Member of OMSPA since 1977serving on the respective boards at both the local andprovincial level encouraging sound practices and highquality products."Thank You Doug for your dedication."
