Northern Ontario farmers, growers reap awards at Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

The best maple jelly in the world, at least according to judges at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, comes from northern Ontario.

From Lavigne, a community 60 kilometres west of North Bay, to be exact.

Dan and Tracy Seguin of Seguin Sugarbush won accolades for their maple jelly at the fair, topping five other competitors from Ontario and New York in the maple products category. 

The Seguins also walked away with the Corbett Trophy, awarded to the exhibitor with the highest total score in maple product classes.

That's despite a less-than-favourable season for sapping.

"We had a very cool, extended season this year," Tracy Seguin said. "It took probably about a week for our syrup to change over to more of what our regular flavours would be like."

"We did produce a record amount of syrup, but it probably wasn't the the wow syrup that we typically get." 

Despite the season – Tracy said drawing sap was sometimes like "witchcraft" in dealing with unpredictable weather – the Seguin's maple jelly impressed judges at the fair.

The fair – known commonly as the Royal to those in the industry –  held annually in Toronto since 1922, showcases growers and food producers in one of the world's largest indoor agricultural exhibits. Organizers estimate over 300,000 people attend the fair, from buyers and growers to major players in the agricultural industry. 

It's the perfect place for a small, locally-run operation to showcase some unique offerings.

"It shows that we put our best foot forward in terms of trying to make the best syrup that we can, the best products that we can," Tracy Seguin said. 

"Whatever I do in life, and it doesn't matter whether it's something miniscule or something grander, the key is that we always should do our best."

Dan Seguin said the award just affirms not only the quality of the product, but of the team working behind the scenes.

"There's usually just a couple of names in front of that product," he said. "But we all know that it takes a tremendous dedication from a dedicated team to actually make all this happen."