Est. 2021
Steven & Carleena
GIANGIORDANO
Our Story:
In 2021, the Lord blessed our family with the ability to purchase 40 acres next to our home. A section of this land was previously used to produce maple syrup. This is where it all began. With some basic infrastructure (tubing and tanks) already available, Steven began diving into the world of Maple Syrup (he hasn't come back up for air since ;-).
With this new found hobby, we decided to use our abilities to bless others with a focus on missions. Our family was growing older, and helping those around the world in need has become something that we felt called to do. We set out to build a small business where, through our hard work, we could use the funds we gain to help our community, churches, and missionaries around the world. With this vision in mind, we began tapping approx. 850 taps and hauling the sap to a nearby farmer who would boil it into syrup and split the profit. For the season of 2022 we hauled over 13,500 gallons and produced about 225 gallons of Syrup. In 2023 we added about 200 taps and hauled over 17,000 gallons of sap producing about 325 gallons of syrup.
That spring Steven went to a local auction and ended up coming home around 1 o'clock in the morning with an evaporator. Our lives haven't been the same since. We had planned on hauling sap for another two years before we started boiling but, with a new toy sitting in the garage, Steven couldn't resist. The summer of 2023 was very busy. Throughout the summer the Lord laid every other piece of equipment in front of us, guiding us on the purchasing of a reverse osmosis, new-to-us pans for the evaporator, tanks, pumps, releasers, a bottler, a filter press, and many other items. It was truly amazing to see him work each and every purchase out.
That fall, we built a sugar shack in our barn, rebuilt the evaporator, ran the electric, and plumbed everything in place. About a week after completing all of these projects it was time to tap. The season was unusually early and the season was very difficult for many maple farmers. During our first year boiling in our own evaporator, we brought in about 18,000 gallons of sap and produced about 270 gallons of syrup. This wasn't as much as we had hoped, especially for our first year, but we felt blessed for what we were able to produce given the difficulties of the season.
With the season behind us, we started to bottle syrup and sell it for the first time. Carleena quickly decided to look into farmers markets, festivals, and craft fairs. We began developing product and selling infused syrups, maple popcorn, maple coated nuts, maple sugar, maple candy, maple cookies, maple cotton candy etc. Our weekends quickly filled up and the amount of support we received was amazing. Our Syrup and product (so far) have made it to three continents, four countries and many states.
That year, Carleena and Steven had the opportunity to go on their first ever mission trip. We were able to travel to a children's home in Zacatecas, Mexico. While there, we helped with repairs around the home, setting up with their VBS, and Steven had the privilege to lead a bible study. We also had the privilege of allowing the children and their local helpers try our maple syrup for the first time.
This story is an unfolding story. The following changes, seasons and events are all in the Lord's hand and we look forward to what he has prepared for Mission Maple.
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Thank you for you for taking an interest in our vision and for your prayers and support.
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