Community Highlights: Meet Melissa Biltz of Sweet Fire Sugar Bush

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Biltz

Hi Melissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
After seeing a large maple syrup operation at a Scout campout, my oldest son, 15 at the time, came home and tapped a few trees on our five acres with some supplies from Tractor Supply. Each year the number of taps increased. Eventually we purchased a 2 x 6 evaporator and began our business in January of 2019. We had our first open house in March 2020 prior to the COVID shutdown. We have approximately 800 taps and produce 220 – 300 gallons of syrup per year depending on the weather. Most of what we sell is directly to the customer through our website or farm markets. We do have a couple of wholesale customers in middle Tennessee.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The weather is a continual struggle as the winters seem to get shorter every year. Our concern at this point is the Spotted Lanternfly and what kind of impact it could have on the sugar maple trees.

We’ve been impressed with Sweet Fire Sugar Bush, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
It takes a lot of heat to make it sweet! That is why we named our business Sweet Fire. Our process is simple…We grow the trees, harvest the sap and boil it down to create our 100% pure maple syrup. Our family loves spending time in the woods and foraging for what we can, whether it is mushrooms, berries or maple sap. As a nutritionist retired from the school food service industry, Melissa loves to cook and create healthy foods in her kitchen. As someone that does not eat a lot of pancakes she makes sure she gets the health benefits of using natural sweeteners in her beverages, whole grain cereals and baked goods. She has also formulated her own spice blends by taking maple sugar and combining it with ground peppers and other seasonings which is ideal for roasted vegetables or grilled meats. Healthy snacks are important so Sweet Fire has lightly Maple Sugar coated nuts available in Pecans, Walnuts, Almonds, Peanuts, and Cashews.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Starting small with goals for the future may take a little longer but mistakes are less costly.

Pricing:

• 100% Pure Maple Syrup – $3.50 – $64
• 8 oz infused syrup – $4 – $13
• 2 oz spice rubs – $3.75 – $6.75
• Maple Cream – $5 – $16
• Maple Sugar Coated Nuts – $1.50 – $11

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sweetfiresugarbush.com
• Instagram: #sweetfiresugarbush
• Facebook: @sweetfiresugarbush
• Youtube: sweetfiresugarbush