shady grove maple co.

We found this thanks to Groupon although we've lived in Cambridge for 30+ years and had no idea it was there. It only minutes from KW airport but is noted as a Guelph address. The best access is from Chilligo Road rather than Twp Rd 1 as it is a dirt road and GPS is not accurate! Shady Grove starts through the store where you pay your admittance. It's best to start at the wagon ride (either pulled by two Percherons named Star & Jody or a tractor) which takes you down to the lower pump house and the syrup boiling demonstration. They give a brief history of maple syrup and then explain the two processes displayed with the old time kettle and the newer boiling pan/finishing pan process before entering the woodlot and explaining the tapping process and vacuum lines. You then go to the pump house where they explain what is happening and where the sap is going along with the equipment being used. There is a vacuum chamber where you can see the sap pouring from the ladder into the pump tanks which is then pumped up to the storage tank at the upper pump house. There is a 15 minute nature walk through the woodlot that is fun if you are prepared for uneven, boggy ground and grasses that whip your legs - sturdy boots are a good idea! Once you are done, hop on the wagon for your ride back up. There is a small petting facility with two turkeys, two donkeys, one rabbit, two alpaca, one Standardbred gelding and a nanny goat. Above that is the upper pumphouse which had a huge storage tank, the reverse osmosis shed and the evaporator shed. There they explain the process starting at the storage tank, the RO process and then the evaporation process to make FDA grade maple syrup that is shipped worldwide. They have examples of prepress syrup, postpress syrup and the different variations of syrup (extra light to dark) processed throughout the season. Once you have completed your tour, you can purchase pancakes with syrup and garlic turkey sausage from Laura Jean's Pancake Shanty that are delicious and go up to the picnic loft to eat your treat! Maple products (syrups, jellies, peppers, sauces and candy) and turkey products (sausage, pepperettes, summer sausage and whole turkeys) are available for sale in the store as you exit. This is one of nine woodlots belonging to Shady Grove and the staff are very friendly, informative and happy to answer any questions. They raise crops and turkey during the off season and sell their products year round. The terrain isn't the smoothest and is best for those that are steady on their feet. It's good for most age ranges and is great for anyone who has never seen the process. It is a 15-20 minute drive from most areas of K-W, Cambridge and Guelph.