Meet the Maker: Damian Branon, Sugarmaker

Damian Branon knows his maple. For over 60 years, his family has produced maple syrup and sold maple sugaring equipment at Branon Shady Maples in Fairfield, Vermont, the veritable buckle of America’s maple belt. 

Tapping 70,000 trees (yes, you read that right, sevenTY thousand) and producing up to 400 gallons of syrup an hour at peak production, Damian recently constructed an entirely new sugarhouse that employs the latest technology and is centered around two brand new evaporators from Leader Evaporator (a 135-year-old company based in nearby Swanton). 

“I like American-made equipment because it provides local jobs,” he says. Damian also loves his Vermont Flannel, because it’s built to withstand Vermont winters and come out the other side looking great. Kind of like Damian.

Vermont makers wear Vermont Flannel. 

The Vermont Maker Project 

Telling stories about makers across the state of Vermont. Stories and photos by StoryWorkz. Flannel by Vermont Flannel. Learn more at vermontmakerproject.com.