Sugar bush for life

FIGHTING FOR THE HUTCHINSONS

"WE’RE BEING EVICTED FROM THE INDUSTRY WE ESTABLISHED."

Chris and Anna Hutchinson have been growing Nova Scotia's maple industry, reaching 4 overseas markets in 15 years. Behind the scenes, they have also been struggling to gain standard lease provisions enjoyed by maple producers in NB and Quebec.

Now, the fight is for the Hutchinsons to stay.

Write your MLA

Why this fight matters to all Nova Scotians

Maple farming protects the land

There are 2,500 acres of public land in Nova Scotia - Lake Paul and Nimchin Page Lake Area - with maple trees mature enough to be tapped. Some of the forest is being farmed by Hutchinson Acres for maple syrup while some parts are leased for industrial logging. The Hutchinson's maple farming proposal preserves the whole forest, unlike the logging that fragments it.

Read the Proposal

Economic and ecological benefits

Chris and Anna have been fighting to protect the full acreage. They've presented proposals to the government that included a business case for maple farming, explanations of maple farming as silviculture, lists of public advantages - such as access to nature paths, retained wildlife, and decreased wildfire risk - and any supporting information that was requested.

Read General Business Plan

“Our model requires that DNR give up the short-term quick revenue generated by the tradtional timber harvest model for a model with long-term economic benefits for all stakeholders.”
- Excerpt from “Supporting Information for Lease of 2,500 Acres Crown Land at Nimchin Page Lake Area, Kings County, NS - General Business Plan”

Fair conditions for maple farming

As the saying goes, you need money to make money. Financing a maple farm in Canada requires long-term agreements as a form of security. With maple trees taking approximately 30-40 years to be mature enough to tap, producers rely on long-term land-use arrangements and generational planning.

Read a Lawyer's Review of the Lease

Current conditions in Nova Scotia

A lease for a maple farm on public lands in Nova Scotia has a 10-year term that can be terminated with a 60-day notice. If the government decides to change the use of the land and end the lease, the farmer has nothing. The agreement imparts no marketable or transferable value.

Read a Lease for Hutchinson Acres

“Loan amortizations greater than 10 years are unlikely under the current lease term. Given the size of some of the investments you have made and are likely to make in order to grow your operation, access to longer loan amortization periods will greatly benefit your cash flow and profitability. Longer amortizations would also be consistent with the duration of the expected benefit from the investment (i.e. matching expenses with the associated revenue).”
- Excerpt from a lawyer’s report on a review of Crown leases #4819 and #5007.

the fight of the Hutchinsons

A N.S. family business’ path to establishing and protecting the maple industry

what this story symbolizes to Chris & Anna

MAple proud

A sugar bush on public land is a benefit to many - family-owned business, Nova Scotians, and maple syrup fans.

Rapid Expansion

The Hutchinsons are a Nova Scotia success story. They’re silviculturists, community leaders, and business owners producing popular products.

Misleadership

10 government officials have failed to provide lasting support to the Hutchinsons as maple producers. They still haven’t adopted a workable lease.

Forestry Wall

One constant throughout was DNR's adherence industrial forestry standards. A quick search found staff to have strong ties to forestry.

Fighting back

Chris and Anna have proven maple sugar in Nova Scotia is a viable industry. They've educated and engaged at every turn - and don't plan on stopping.

Simple Solution

A lease with security means financing that leads to research, growth, jobs, and a chance to pass on a global business and golden legacy.

Stand with the Hutchinsons - whatever way you can

- Follow Their Fight -

- Take Action -

Email your MLA

Repeated messages demanding action will motivate your MLA. Read our guide.

Debate online

Post your thoughts on social media and forums, share a fact, and keep showing your support.

Stand with us

At your organization’s next meeting, discuss how to support Chris and Anna.

Tell your story

Chris and Anna are not the first business to be faced with these issues. Email your story and facts to us.

FAQ

We are listening and gathering answers to your most frequently asked questions.

Why are the Hutchinsons taking action?

For years, Chris and Anna Hutchinson have been trying to get the DNR to create a lease that works for maple syrup production. A lease for public land use in Nova Scotia has a 10-year term that can be terminated with a 60-day notice. If the government changes its mind, and decides to end the lease, a farmer has nothing.

The Hutchinsons hit a breaking point. Now, they are pressuring the DNR to make a choice. Create fair conditions now or take responsibility for the impasse.

Why is the government responding this way?

The Hutchinsons can’t speak for the government, however, from their perspective, this lease termination is not about Hutchinson Acres or maple production failing. The increased demand for Hutchinson's Maple Syrup and business growth are proof of that. The dispute is about a system that has never created a proper lease for maple farming on public land.

Chris and Anna are standing up to the Department of Natural Resources because maple production deserves a framework that fits what we actually do: farm living trees and build a long-term, sustainable, rural industry.

Why was the lease unchanged for so long?

In 2010, Chris and Anna Hutchinson began working with the province to develop large-scale maple syrup production on Crown land. Over the next 15 years, they worked with multiple DNR staff, ministers, and elected governments, trying to secure long-term stability for maple production. They believed DNR would stand by its commitment to support Nova Scotian farmers and work with the farm to create a proper long-term arrangement. That has not happened.

Chris and Anna believe maple production deserves to be recognized as a serious agricultural industry in Nova Scotia.

What will happen to the land if Hutchinson Acres loses access?

It is possible that the land will continue being used for maple syrup production and that it will go to tender. There is still uncertainty. A tender is not a guarantee. Land surrounding the Hutchinson Acres' operation has been identified for high-production forestry and a new producer will still face the same structural lease and support problems.

Chris and Anna believe Nova Scotia needs a clear commitment to maple as agriculture, not just another short-term process that leaves the industry in the same uncertain position.

What will the Hutchinsons do now?

Chris and Anna Hutchinson are in the maple syrup business because they want to sell maple syrup from Nova Scotia and they love the land. That has always been the goal: support local jobs, work with local suppliers, and help grow the maple industry here.

Chris and Anna will keep doing everything they can to continue operating.

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