By Jackson Ellison

Every winter the organization Groundwork Somerville taps maple trees, and with the sap the group hosts a boil down where everyone in the community can come watch maple syrup being made.

Groundwork Somerville is a non-profit organization that is focused on creating a sustainable environment for the community of Somerville. They have programs that teach young people the importance of farming and healthy living.

This was the 16th annual boil down, however, this was the first time the event was hosted at the South Street farm, instead of the Somerville Community Growing Center. “This is our little quarter-acre oasis,” said Kat Rutkin, the Executive Director of Groundwork Somerville.

The farm is also where Groundwork Somerville grows food to continue the mission of teaching kids sustainable living, “We employ up to 20 local youth every year, who grow up to 2,000 pounds of food on this farm,” said Rutkin.

The boil down was the final event of the year for the Maple Syrup Project, where Groundwork staff and volunteers teach second graders about the process of making maple syrup. “Somerville public schools come here and get a field trip and education, all of which we provide for the district,” said Rutkin.

The Maple Syrup Project began in the 1990s when a Somerville High school teacher tapped a tree in his backyard and decided to show this to his class, while also explaining the science behind the tapping process. The Maple Syrup Project has grown over the years, and now begins in January, when volunteers gather at Tufts University to collect sap from the maple trees for the boil down.

The boil down provides people of all ages the opportunity to learn the whole method of making maple syrup, from tapping to boiling. “It’s a really awesome community event,” said volunteer Justin Moeling. “And to have an agricultural program in the city is really neat.”

Many of the volunteers have participated in the programs put on by Groundwork Somerville in the past and joined in at the boil down to help promote the organization. “Just to come down and be part of the community is really fun and rewarding,” said volunteer Kelsey Davenport.

The boil down was held on March 16 and included activities such as maple syrup tastings, tree tapping demonstrations, and live music performed by local musicians. Around 100 people attended the event.

Groundwork Somerville’s next event will be the Sap on Tap fundraiser at Aeronaut Brewing Co. on April 14.