Sweet Traditions, Stewardship, and Vermont Maple with Marilyn Lambert

There are some conversations that stay with you long after the microphones are turned off. Our visit with Marilyn Lambert of Silloway Maple in Vermont was one of those conversations.

What began as a discussion about maple syrup quickly became something much deeper. We talked about agriculture, stewardship, food systems, healthy living, faith, and the importance of helping people reconnect with the land and the people who care for it.

Marilyn’s family has been producing maple syrup in Vermont since the 1940s. Today, Silloway Maple taps approximately 27,000 naturally growing maple trees in the hills of central Vermont. Unlike traditional crops that are planted each season, maple trees are part of a long cycle of stewardship and patience. Some of the trees they tap are decades old, growing naturally in forests that have slowly regenerated over generations.

One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation was learning about the maple syrup process itself. Marilyn explained how the flavor and color of syrup changes throughout the season. Early season syrup is lighter and more delicate, while later season syrup develops deeper, richer flavors due to warmer temperatures and natural changes in the sap. She also shared how challenging this year’s sap season was, with huge sap runs arriving all at once and requiring around the clock work to keep up.

We also loved hearing about the family’s sugar house and their commitment to welcoming visitors. Marilyn spoke passionately about helping consumers understand where food comes from and why those connections matter. School groups, travelers, families, and curious visitors all stop by to see the syrup making process firsthand.

That commitment to education and storytelling is something we connected with deeply. So many Americans are now several generations removed from agriculture. For many people, food simply appears on grocery store shelves with little thought about the work, weather, risks, and stewardship behind it.

Marilyn reminded us that agriculture is not only about production. It is about caring for the land so future generations can continue to benefit from it. She spoke candidly about the challenges facing rural communities and landowners, especially when policies are created without input from the people actively working and caring for the land every day.

The conversation also turned toward health and nutrition. Marilyn shared her personal journey through chronic illness and how that experience led her into holistic nutrition and wellness work. Her perspective on food as medicine was thoughtful and practical. She encouraged people to become more intentional about what they eat, where their food comes from, and how everyday choices affect long term health.

One theme kept surfacing throughout the episode: stewardship.

Whether discussing maple forests, healthy soil, food systems, or personal health, Marilyn returned again and again to the idea that caring for what we have matters. Stewardship requires responsibility, patience, and long term thinking. Those values often feel increasingly rare in a culture focused on convenience and speed.

Of course, there was also plenty of talk about maple syrup itself. We discussed maple candy, maple sugar, infused syrups, and even habanero maple syrup over meat and roasted vegetables. Mary shared her childhood memory of tasting real maple candy for the first time and becoming an instant believer in authentic maple products.

This episode was a beautiful reminder that agriculture is deeply personal. Behind every product is a story, a family, and years of dedication that most consumers never see.

We are grateful to Marilyn for joining us and for sharing her wisdom, honesty, and passion for preserving both tradition and connection.

You can learn more about Marilyn and her family’s work at Silloway Maple.

As always, thank you for joining us here at Grit and Grace in the Heartland.