While most of its space is dedicated to more than 400 cows, you will still find plenty of production that has nothing to do with milk. Country View Farm in Sturgeon Bay is known for its maple syrup production as much as its dairy operation.
Much like it has since the 1940s, the farm’s maple trees were tapped in late February, and thousands of gallons of sap have been harvested from more than 3,000 trees to be cooked down into maple syrup.
Ken Staats has been assisting in the process since he was a young boy. The milk cans and drip taps he once used have now been replaced with vacuum systems and tubing. He says it is a great activity for their family during the doldrums of winter, and he is proud the tradition continues.
The maple syrup season may be nearing its end, but the product will be available at area farmers markets and other locations soon. According to UW-Extension, Wisconsin is currently the third-leading maple-producing state in the nation, producing 556,000 gallons of maple syrup in 2025, with the highest yield per tap in the United States.
