A Commitment to Quality,
Community, and Continuity

People matter, places matter, and doing it right matters. Three generations of this Branon Family have produced and sold Maple Sugaring Equipment and Maple Syrup to the local communities of Vermont.  Starting over 60 years ago when Charles and Barbara  Branon bought Shady Maples Farm in July 1953, through today, where Damian, Stephanie, and their sons continue the tradition.  

The Team

Damian Branon, Proprietor

Stephanie Branon,  General Manager

Patrick, Ryan, Damian Jr., and Nick Branon, Collectively known as, "The Boys"

The story begins in July 1953, when Charles and Barbara Branon bought the Hiram Paradee Farm on the North Road, in Fairfield, Vermont.  Then in 1963, Charlie bought into Leader Evaporator, becoming the maple sugaring equipment distributor for Franklin County,  From 1969-1979, Charlie was President of Leader Evaporator, during which time Leader Evaporator purchased the Soule Evaporator Company and moved to St. Albans, Vermont.  After stepping down as President in 1979, Charlie was Chairman of Board from 1979-1984.

With Charlie's passing in 1991, Damian and Stephanie took over the distributorship, which they have grown significantly ever since.  Damian joined the Leader Evaporator Board of Directors in 2000 and remains a Director today.

Today, Damian, Stephanie, and the boys boil sap from over 40,000 taps, much from the original farm and the rest being purchased from sugar bushes around Franklin County.

Much has changed since 1953.  The cows are gone and providing sugaring equipment, producing syrup, and harvesting hay and firewood are now the primary income producing activities.  But what drives them remains the same:  hard work, a love for the land, and a dedication to family and community are still the motivating factors behind Shady Maples Farm!