He is not ready to start tapping trees quite yet, but Hillside Apples owner Bill Roethle is hopeful for another productive sap harvest season in Kewaunee County. The end of February and the beginning of March are usually when those looking to turn sap into syrup and other maple-related products head out to their woods to start tapping trees. A successful harvest depends on days above freezing followed by cold nights. Those days are not expected to hit the area for at least a few more weeks, which is quite alright by Roethle.

A 2016 Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics Report shows Wisconsin is fourth in the country when it comes to maple syrup production, making 235,000 gallons from approximately 765,000 taps statewide.