Our Story
Sugar Creek Maple Farm is a family-owned and operated maple business located in Vestal, New York, with roots that trace back to the late 1800s. Our maple traditions began in a small patch of woods on our family’s 150-acre farm in Vestal Center, where earlier generations first tapped trees and boiled sap into syrup for family and friends.
Shirley Hickling (Resseguie)
The farm and maple traditions were passed down through Shirley’s family for generations. Shirley and her husband, Roger, continued that tradition after the farm was passed to them by her parents, Agnes and Bill Resseguie. Like those before them, they made maple syrup for family and friends in a simple sugar shack with two sides and a roof.
For many years, maple production remained a small family hobby. In 1981, the family built a larger sugarhouse a short distance from the original shack. Although the building has seen improvements and additions over the years, it still serves as the heart of our maple operation today.
Original Sugar House circa 1979
Roger, Mike & David
while building the current sugar house circa 1981
Growing Up in the Sugar Bush
Roger and Shirley’s children — Teri, Dave, and Linda — grew up in the sugar bush. Each spring meant tapping trees, gathering sap, stacking wood, and spending long evenings around the fire as generations had done before them.
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Each of our spouses has also become part of the family tradition over the years, joining in the work and memories that make maple season special.
The maple tradition continued to grow along with our family.
(l to r): David, Cindy, Linda, Jeff, Teri & Mike
The Beginning of Sugar Creek Maple Farm
Teri & Mike Blachek
Teri and Mike helped turn the family maple tradition into the business it is today. Over the years they have become the heart of Sugar Creek Maple Farm, building on generations of family tradition while sharing their love of maple with the community.
Mike may have married into the family, but it is his passion for making maple that is the driving force behind the business. He enjoys teaching others about the maple-making process and is often invited to speak at local schools and community events, earning him the nickname “Maple Mike.” Whether he’s chopping wood, checking sap lines, researching new technology, or making sure every batch meets his standards, Mike’s dedication keeps the sugarhouse running strong.
Teri ensures that everything runs smoothly throughout the season. She’s often the friendly face greeting visitors who stop by for syrup, runs the evaporator like a pro, and adds the creative touches that make our maple products special. From designing many of the tags found on our bottles to helping wherever she’s needed, Teri truly keeps the operation moving.
Their son, Matt, and his wife, Laura live in Maryland and have two sons, Paul and Raiden, who love visiting their grandparents during maple season and helping whenever they can.
Back row (l to r): Laura, Matt, Teri, Mike, Amanda, & Taimour
Front row (l to r): Paul, Ethan, Raiden & Caiden
Their daughter, Amanda, and her husband, Taimour live in Alabama with their sons Ethan and Caiden. Even from afar, they remain connected to the family maple tradition and enjoy sharing our maple products with friends and neighbors.
David & Cindy Hickling
Sisters, Megan & Kristen
Dave and Cindy have also remained part of the maple tradition, continuing the family’s connection to the sugar bush. Dave still enjoys lending a hand whenever he can, especially during sugaring season. Cindy has been part of the maple story with our family for many years and continues to be one of its biggest supporters.
Their daughter, Megan, lives locally and remains part of the extended maple family while dedicating much of her time to her career as a local ice-skating coach.
Their daughter Kristen, and her husband Erik, live in France with their sons, Luca and Eli, where Erik is stationed with the U.S. Army. We are incredibly proud of their service to our country.
Kristen, Erik, Luca and Eli
Linda and Jeff also continue to help with the business. Linda manages our website and helps with social media, keeping customers connected to Sugar Creek Maple Farm throughout the year.
Brandon and Gage spent part of their childhood in the woods and around the sugarhouse and remain part of the extended maple family today, sharing our maple products with friends and co-workers whenever the opportunity arises.
Jeff & Linda Kobza
Like Mike, Jeff has developed a passion for the business that he married into, and has become an important part of the sugarhouse crew, always ready to lend a hand wherever he is needed during the busy sugaring season.
(l to r) Brandon, Jeff, Gage & Linda
A Tradition that Continues
Today, Sugar Creek Maple Farm stands as a reflection of the generations who came before us and the family members who continue the tradition today. Maple season has always been about more than making syrup — it’s about family, hard work, and the memories made together in the sugar bush. We are proud to continue sharing that tradition with our community.
Our Story
Sugar Creek Maple Farm, a family-owned and operated small business located in Vestal, New York, has a rich heritage dating back to the late 1800s. Our ancestors began making maple syrup in a small patch of woods on our family’s 150-acre farm in Vestal Center. The first sugar shack, with its two sides and a roof, produced dark, smoky-flavored syrup.
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In 1981, we constructed a new, larger building a short distance from the original one. Despite several improvements and additions, we continue to use that same building today.
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Our entire family is loves maple, and we’ve expanded our offerings to include delightful confections and other delicious maple products. We follow the traditional methods passed down through generations: tapping trees, hanging buckets, and running tubing to our Sugar House, where we cook sap over a wood fire, just like our ancestors did.
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We take pride in our heritage and are committed to producing the highest quality products at competitive prices. Your feedback is valuable to us, so feel free to reach out anytime at info@sugarcreekmaplefarm.com.