Artisan: Tim Burton
Medium – 100% Pure and Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
When Tim Burton and his family moved to Medora, Indiana in 1999, they had no intentions of starting a maple syrup business.
The Burtons simply wanted to live on a farm in a rural community and enjoy the pleasures of raising their family in a small town. But an invitation from a friend to help the Millers, a local family from the Heltonville, IN area with their annual sap collection changed all that. As he watched the syrup being collected by hand, Tim was intrigued with the art and science of the maple syrup production process. But it was the social aspect of the event that truly inspired him. After giving the idea considerable thought, he and wife Angie decided to pursue the business of making maple syrup. Burton’s Maplewood Farm was established. Now, each year during maple syrup season with family, friends and the Millers helping in the annual tradition of collecting maple sap from both farms to produce over 900 gallons of 100% pure and barrel aged maple syrup which they sell at farmers’ markets and special events around the country and through an on-line store.
Never forgetting that it was the social aspect of sap collection that truly delighted him, Tim wanted to create an opportunity for others to experience the joy of that process. In 2008, he and Angie helped establish and host the first annual National Maple Syrup Festival where people from all over the nation can gather and experience the same thing Tim experienced at the Miller Farm. Tim, who has plans to continue to grow the business (although he is quick to point out that the business seems to have taken on a life of its own these days), was encouraged by a friend to submit his syrup to the Indiana Artisan program. He and Angie consider it an honor to be named an Indiana Artisan and are “proud to be in the company of the other Indiana producers who have also been chosen for this designation which recognizes a high level of commitment and skill to perfecting their chosen craft.”
