Who We Are

  • Shepherd Sugar Bush traces its roots back to 1958, when the first Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival was held in the Village of Shepherd, Michigan. Local maple trees were tapped, sap was gathered by volunteers, and the community came together for a pancake dinner open to the public.

    The syrup produced during that first season was sold to help fund recreational activities and facilities within the village. From the start, the effort was built on volunteerism, cooperation, and a shared love of maple syrup.

  • What began as a small local effort has grown into a lasting community tradition. In its earliest years, the Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival focused on family-friendly fun and community involvement, values that continue to guide Shepherd Sugar Bush today.

    Generations of volunteers have helped keep this tradition alive, working together each spring to tap trees, collect sap, and share the maple season with neighbors and visitors alike.

  • Shepherd Sugar Bush is a community-run nonprofit operation powered entirely by volunteers. Every hour spent tapping trees, boiling sap, or helping during events supports programs, recreational activities, and facilities within the Village of Shepherd.

    Our mission is simple: preserve a meaningful local tradition while giving back to the community that makes it possible.

  • Using traditional methods, Shepherd Sugar Bush produces a variety of pure maple treats, including:

    • Pure Michigan maple syrup

    • Maple sugar

    • Maple cream

    • Maple fudge

    • Infused maple syrups

    • and more!

  • Shepherd Sugar Bush hosts two annual events that celebrate maple season and community spirit:

    Maple Weekend (March)
    A behind-the-scenes look at the maple sugaring process, featuring demonstrations and opportunities to learn how sap becomes syrup.

    Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival (Last Full Weekend of April)
    A four-day festival filled with food, family activities, and time-honored maple traditions that have drawn visitors to Shepherd for decades.

  • At its heart, Shepherd Sugar Bush is about more than maple syrup. It’s about neighbors working together, preserving tradition, and creating experiences that bring people back year after year.