There’s nothing quite like maple season at Ashokan—and this year, our maple syrup was officially recognized as some of the best in the county!

Congratulations to Jason Masters and the Ashokan team for taking home 1st and 3rd place in the maple syrup competition at the 2026 Ulster County Fair, held August 7.

Jason, who has been making maple syrup for five years, entered this year’s competition with a little friendly motivation: “To beat a friend that I helped win last year.”

Mission accomplished.

A Team Effort

While Jason led the effort, he was quick to credit the Ashokan team who helped bring the syrup across the finish line. Malcolm Grant, James Williams, and Joe Martignetti all assisted with the finishing and filtering process.

The competition evaluated maple syrup in three categories: flavor, density, and clarity.

And apparently, Ashokan has a pretty good recipe for all three.

The process itself is straightforward but time-consuming: boil the sap and turn it into the rich maple syrup we all know and love. After five years of making syrup, Jason has clearly gotten the process down.

From Ashokan’s Woods to the Fair

Maple sugaring is a natural fit at Ashokan, where our 385-acre campus is deeply connected to the land, seasonal cycles, and the agricultural history of the Hudson Valley.

The result is something that is more than just a sweet treat—it’s a product of the landscape and the people who care for it.

And now, our maple syrup has the ribbons to prove it.

A Sweet Tradition Continues

We’re proud to celebrate Jason, Malcolm, James, and Joe for representing Ashokan at the Ulster County Fair—and we’re already looking ahead to next maple season.

Want to experience Ashokan’s maple tradition for yourself? Keep an eye out for Maple Fest 2027, coming in March 2027. The exact date will be announced soon.

In the meantime, you can explore photos from Maple Fest 2026 and get a taste of the celebration. View photos from Maple Fest 2026

Congratulations, Jason and team, on a very sweet victory! 🍁

Special thanks to Jason Masters, Malcolm Grant, James Williams, and Joe Martignetti for making Ashokan’s maple syrup—and this award-winning moment—possible.