As Vermont Maple Fest kicks off, local sugar makers reflect on an unusual tapping season [Video]

IT’S THE WEEKEND VERMONT SUGAR MAKERS LOOK FORWARD TO ALL YEAR. TODAY THE 57TH ANNUAL MAPLE FEST STARTS. THE THREE-DAY EVENT IS KNOWN TO BRING THOUSANDS TO VERMONT… TO CELEBRATE OUR LOCAL MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCERS. NBC5S ANNA GUBER SPOKE WITH ONE OF THEM WHO’S SPENT DECADES IN THE INDUSTRY. SHE’S LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM. ANNA IT WAS AN UNUSUAL TAPPING SEASON. HOW ARE PRODUCERS FEELING AS IT WRAPS UP? LAUREN, RELIEF IS A WORD THAT COMES TO MIND FOR MANY SUGAR MAKERS THIS YEAR. INCLUDING CECILE BRANON, WHO’S BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR 4 DECADES. SHE SAYS LAST YEAR’S SEASON LEFT MANY FEELING CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE. AND THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY. BUT NOW AS THE SEASON COMES TO CLOSE…SHE SAYS IT WAS ALL ABOUT PLANNING AHEAD. MAPLE SYRUP PRACTICALLY RUNS THROUGH CECILE AND TOM BRANON’S BLOOD. <CECILE BRANON, :04 “WE BOUGHT THE FARM IN 1984 …