When the Passion for Maple Comes Back to Life!
Owner of a dairy and pig farm for many years, Martial Labrecque also once ran a large sugarbush, a demanding endeavor that took up all his time and energy. Faced with this reality, he had to make the difficult decision to stop sugaring seasons at his sugar shack.
But the passion for maple sugaring never truly fades… After a few years’ break, the desire to dive back into this world caught up with him. Determined, he built a new sugarbush from scratch, using wood harvested from his land. Today, the Labrecque family enjoys a gathering place that moves with the rhythm of the seasons, especially sugaring time, a cherished tradition deeply rooted in their family.
Martial in front of his evaporator in action
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Martial Labrecque. I’m 56 years old and live in Saint Bernard, Beauce. I own a dairy and pig farm as well as a 500-tap sugarbush. My wife and I have four children, all of whom are involved in our family’s farming and sugaring activities in their own way.
How long have you had your sugarbush?
I operated my first sugarbush from 2000 to 2007. After a break, I started my second sugarbush just a few years ago.
Why did you stop operating your first sugarbush?
Managing the farm and sugarbush became too demanding at the time. Sugaring takes a lot of time and energy, and juggling everything with a full-time dairy and pig farm was hard. So, I chose to dedicate myself entirely to the farm.
What motivated you to start a new sugarbush?
Over time, my two sons took on more farm responsibilities, freeing up some of my time. It was the perfect opportunity to make a long-held dream come true: rebuild my sugar shack.
How did the construction of your sugarbush go?
It took me two years to build my sugarbush, and I did everything myself. From sawing the wood to finishing touches, every plank comes from trees I cut on my land. You can even see old tap holes in some of them! It was important to me that every part of this sugarbush had a story and sentimental value. Everything is homemade… except for the evaporator, of course! My sugar shack has a rustic style, just like me.
What do you love most about maple sugaring?
Above all, I love practicing this passion in a sugarbush I built myself, just as I had imagined since childhood. Boiling anywhere else but at home? Unthinkable! Ever since I was little, I dreamed about my shack, its surroundings, and its materials. Today, that dream is a reality.
Why did you choose a 3/16” gravity tubing system?
I wanted a simple system that wouldn’t require technical maintenance or immediate fixes if something went wrong. The farm is already a highly technical and demanding environment. With my sugarbush, I wanted to return to basics: enjoy the moment, listen to the sap gently flow into the tank at sunrise… Plus, this system was a natural fit since my land is steeply sloped.
Why did you choose CDL Maple Sugaring Equipment?
It happened naturally, through word of mouth. In my area, many sugarmakers use CDL equipment and are very satisfied. I’ve attended their open house events for years, and the enthusiasm around CDL convinced me that if many people trust the company, it must be doing things right.
What do you appreciate most about CDL’s services?
I particularly like the closeness with my representative and the in-store training sessions. My rep always takes the time to answer my questions without making me feel like a bother. The training is very useful. My family and I have attended several and learned valuable tips!
How would you rate CDL’s customer service?
I’m delighted with the in-store support and the delivery service. When they delivered my evaporator, the truck couldn’t access my shack. The team took the time to transfer the equipment onto my tractor in two trips without ever showing impatience. I felt they wanted to do things properly without rushing. At the store, I’m always treated with respect, even though I don’t have many taps.
It seems family plays a central role in your activities. Do your wife and children help with the sugarbush?
Absolutely! Family is at the heart of everything I do, and I’m lucky to share this passion with them. Everyone helps in their way: my wife and daughters handle the product processing for friends and family, while my sons take part in the boiling and tapping. Even the grandchildren and partners get involved, making sugaring season an unforgettable family moment.
The Labrecque family gathered at the sugar shack
You and your family are the faces of CDL’s 2025 season campaign. How was the fi lming experience?
It was a wonderful family experience! The video is beautiful, and it’s an honor to be chosen as an ambassador for the 2025 season. What touches me most is that despite my sugarbush’s simplicity, no advanced tech, no large-scale production, it was featured. It may seem basic to some, but to me, it’s genuinely a dream come true.
Memory from the filming of the CDL promotional video for the 2025 season
Click here to watch the video!
What is your greatest pride?
I have many sources of pride, but the greatest is passing down my love of family and maple sugaring to my children, without ever forcing it. What makes me happiest is seeing them share this passion and understand what sugaring season truly represents: a time for gathering, sharing, and traditions that live on.
Martial Labrecque’s story is one of returning to his roots, driven by love for the craft, nature, and family. His handmade sugar shack, full of memories, refl ects a deep and lasting passion for maple sugaring. By choosing to do things simply and authentically, at his own pace, he reminds us that sugaring season is about more than production. It’s about gathering, tradition… and shared joy!
Photos credits: Manuel Khulan Poirier and Martial Labrecque
