Maple Syrup Event 2024

Come join us at Iowisota to learn how maple syrup is made! This is a Free hands hands-on demonstration and learning opportunity; “choose-your-own” dates of March 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10. Indicated on your registration which day(s) you'd like to come. An overnight option is available!

Programming/participation: No Cost; This is an open format presentation, but we do need an RSVP of when you’d like to come.

Maple syrup (limited quantities available): $18/pint; bring cash, check or PayPal

This is a small-volume production, with 25-35 tapped maple trees on-site. You will get to observe and/or participate in the steps of making maple syrup: Collecting sap from the maple trees, reverse osmosis to remove some of the water, boiling the concentrated sap to remove more water and caramelize the sugars, filtering and bottling. Sap flow is highly temperature dependent, so weather conditions will affect whether sap is flowing during your visit. We will have some sap stored (frozen) for demonstration if it is too warm or cold for sap flow!  Owners Dennis and Linda Haugen are both foresters and will explain the process and answer questions about all the steps, including management of the trees. They have been making syrup on-site since 2014.

Overnight “B&B” immersive stay: Choose your own window of time to come (1 or 2 nights recommended), $60/night/person, or $100/night/room for multiple family members in the same room. E-mail to iowisota@gmail.com if you're interested in an overnight stay, and we'll work out the times and details!

· Stay in one of our 6 guest bedrooms, with all the modern amenities.

· Breakfast provided and coffee/tea/hot chocolate available throughout the day.

· Lunch and dinner meals are available at local restaurants or bring your own food to cook/heat on-site. A full kitchen and all needed dishes/cookware are available.

· The large “gathering room” is a place to hang out, with a fireplace, comfortable sofas/chairs, folding tables, games, and lots of books.

· Iowisota has nearly 200 acres of forest and many trails to hike and explore. Additionally, there are many nearby destinations like the Driftless Visitor Center, Fish Farm Mounds, Mount Hosmer, local shops in Lansing, plus much more at the nearby cities of Lacrosse, Decorah, and Prairie du Chein. There is plenty to do besides watching sap boil!

· This is our first “event”, so we’re keeping the price low as an “introductory offer”. Our goal is to share this amazing piece of the Driftless Area with people who will appreciate the retreat and educational aspects of a stay here. Welcome to Iowisota!