Screenshot 2025-08-22 at 8.39_edited.jpg

Search

The Maple Ambassador Contest

Jul 12, 2018
3 min read

Updated: Apr 29

The Vermont Maple Festival and the Vermont Maple Sugarmakers' Association yearly choose two individuals to represent the Maple Industry for the State of Vermont.

Arie Gagne

I have been actively involved in the maple industry from a young age through my family. I help my uncles, Jason and Adam Gagne, in their woods with tapping, installing spouts, fixing leaks, and pulling spouts. I also spend time in the sugarhouse with my grandfather, Fernand Gagne, and assist my father in making maple candy, including boiling, molding, and packaging. In addition, I manage 86 sap buckets of my own, delivering sap to be boiled and tracking production and sugar content. I attend the Vermont Sugarmakers Association Maple Conference each year to continue learning. Beyond maple, I am active in my community by volunteering at Franklin County Rehab with my church, coaching Highgate Little League, and serving as a camp counselor. I also participate in sports at Missisquoi Valley Union, play guitar for church worship, teach a children’s class, and have performed at local events including Franklin County Field Days and the Maple Festival Youth Talent Show, where I received the Ducham Children’s Award.

Jacob Beauregaurd

I am from Franklin, Vermont and a junior at Missisquoi Valley Union High School enrolled in the Cold Hollow Career Center Forestry Program, involved in FFA, the Franklin Junior Selectboard, Franklin Historical Society, and local music programs. I am a fifth-generation maple sugarmaker and have been working in the woods since I was eleven, helping with everything from tapping and sap collection to boiling and equipment setup. At fourteen, my dad and I built a small arch and made our first syrup. The following year I started my own operation with 250 buckets. Since then, I have expanded to 420 buckets, added equipment such as a filter press, and produced over 100 gallons of syrup this year. I plan to continue growing my operation to 4,000 taps after high school. Through both my education and family experience, I’ve learned that maple is more than a business—it’s a Vermont tradition, a way of life, and something I take great pride in, especially in producing a high-quality product.

You could be our next Maple Amabassador! Fill out the form below.

Download forms:

Download contest entry forms here

Who are the ambassadors?

In the past these two representatives have always been known as the Maple King & Maple Queen. It has been decided that these representatives will be known as "Vermont Maple Ambassadors" to better reflect their actual roles, and the expectations of the Maple industry. Two individuals, a male and a female, will be chosen to represent the Vermont Maple industry at functions throughout Vermont and New England for one year. A $2500.00 scholarship donated by the sponsors will be awarded to each recipient. This Scholarship competition is open to any Vermont student ages 16-21. The candidate does not have to come from a sugaring family, but they must have knowledge and experience about maple sugaring.

Who they represent

The Vermont Maple Ambassadors have the honor, the responsibility, and the fun of representing the Green Mountain State’s signature product during their reigning year.

What they promote

The Vermont Maple Ambassadors promote, publicize, and educate the public with their maple knowledge. They take part in Fairs, Festivals, Field Days, and are in attendance at most significant events where maple is a part of the occasion. The Vermont Building at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts is one of the places where the Maple Ambassador will frequently play host and hostess.

Being chosen as a Vermont Maple Ambassador, and taking part in the activities throughout the year, is an experience that provides memories for a lifetime.