In recognition of her efforts to grow New York’s maple industry, State Senator Patty Ritchie was recently recognized by the New York State Maple Producers Association.

Senator Ritchie was presented the award—which cites her as an instrumental figure to the growth and success of New York’s maple industry—during a recent tour of local farms.

As Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Ritchie has been a strong advocate of supporting the growth of New York’s maple industry, and her efforts include calling for increased state funding to help support maple producers and hosting events that aim to highlight maple products.

Today, New York is the nation’s second largest producer of maple syrup—after Vermont—with 2.3 million taps—twice the number of 2009. Maple is a $20 million industry in New York, with the state producing 18 percent of all maple syrup in the country.  In addition, New York syrup production in 2015 reached its highest level in 70 years, according to the USDA.

(Larry Rudd of Rudd’s Maple Syrup of Mannsville and Senator Ritchie are pictured in the above photo)