PORTLAND, Conn. — Managing a more than 250-year-old farm on nine acres is a labor of love. Tuesday was a routine morning at Penfield Farm. Farmers were getting ready to clean out the maple syrup lines and get them ready for tapping when they noticed substantial damage to the lines.
Lines carrying sap for maple syrup were slashed with jagged cuts.
“The person or persons who did this cut out one-foot sections which is very odd. It’s very destructive," said longtime facility manager Henry Colangelo.
In all, there were about 150 cuts to the tubing.
Tapping is a historic New England tradition. Maple syrup always sells out at the farm stand, frequented by community members every Saturday.
From local geese who dine on a flaked corn breakfast during matting season to pregnant sheep with their own llama protector and blind mini horses, Penfield Farms takes in rescued animals and supplies local restaurants here in Portland and neighboring Middletown, Glastonbury, and Middlefield.
After hearing about the vandalism on Facebook, farmers received an outpouring of support from the community.
“Hundreds of responses from our community supporting us and offering to help, offering to send money. We’ve had other maple syrup professionals offer to come and lend their expertise in rebuilding our lines," said Farm Manager Victoria Robinson, who isn’t surprised by the show of love from the community.
“Quite honestly, I wouldn’t expect anything less. This has been my experience living here," said Robinson.
It took farmers 60 hours to repair and at least a thousand dollars in materials. An emotional toll as well.
“Farming is tough. Farming is a very, very hard living and making money at it is much harder. For someone to do this to us is personal. I take it very personally. This is our farm. We love it," Colangelo said. He hopes someone comes forward. Adding, "We’re not talking about you’re going to be severely punished for but they should be recognized that they did something that was wrong."
Portland police are looking into the incident.
For more information on the farm click here.
Samaia Hernandez is a reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at shernandez@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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