Mark and Denise Beyers

Mark and Denise met in high school; soon after graduation they both joined the Marine Corps. Denise served stateside as a Unit Diary Clerk for 8 years, while Mark was deployed on multiple tours. In 2005, while deployed in Iraq, Mark’s team hit an IED which has left him with extensive injuries.

After Mark’s recovery, the Beyers’ decided to start producing maple syrup on their 15 acre property in Upstate New York. Soon the demand for their product far outweighed the couple’s capacity to produce. Mark and Denise have continued to grow their business with assistance from the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund.

Mark was awarded with a grant 2011 and Denise was awarded a grant 2012. The couple’s goal for the 2013 season is to double their production with help from a new evaporator, updated maple syrup equipment and additional taps.