Green Family Honored for Historic Sugar Bush Preservation

We hike Pulpit Rock for the views — and for the stories waiting at the top. Support Decorah News today. DECORAH — The Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission honored the Green family this week for restoring and preserving a historic sugar bush operation dating to the 1920s, recognizing the family's long connection to maple syrup production in northeastern Iowa. During a meeting of the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors on Monday, Commission Chair Steve Johnson presented a proclamation marking May as Historic Preservation Month before turning attention to the Green family and their Green's Maplewood Farm sugar bush in southern Winneshiek County. Supervisors approved a 2026 certificate of appreciation recognizing the family's preservation work on the historic maple syrup camp, which Johnson said has undergone years of restoration. "The Green family has spent five or six years restoring the 1920s sugar bush," Johnson said. "If you saw the before and after photos, it's amazing what they've done." Johnson said the property traces its roots to one of the area's earliest farm settlements, with the family receiving land through the federal government in 1851. He said the family is marking its 175th anniversary on the land. He also cited research suggesting Winneshiek County once played a major role in Iowa's maple syrup industry. "I found that an Iowa Department study from around 1900 showed that 95% of all the state maple syrup was being produced in Winneshiek County," he said. Members of the Green family said the restoration effort continued work started decades earlier by previous generations. "We're very excited to have the farm and the family for 175 years," one family member said, thanking supervisors for the recognition. "We're just completing something started by my mother and father in 1985. So the preservation is complete, and we're all enjoying it." Family members also described the history of the sugar camps on the property, noting the original camp from the 1850s was located farther up the North Fork of the Upper Iowa River before flooding prompted relocation to the current site in the late 19th century. The restored sugar bush also holds significance for local residents who visited the property as children during school trips, a tradition that continues today. Supervisor Shirley Vermace recalled visiting the farm as a child and later hearing about her own children's experiences there. "I remember as a kid going there for school and coming home with candy from your farm," she said. "Then my kids went there, and now we tap our own trees because of their experience." Johnson said photographs from the 1960s show schoolchildren visiting the sugar bush, calling it "a rich tradition." "We're still cooking and gathering," a family member added. "It's a great family celebration." Supervisors unanimously approved the certificate of appreciation before posing with members of the Historic Preservation Commission and the Green family for photographs commemorating the recognition. Be in the know, always! The free newsletter delivers local news, features, and tips directly to you—perfect for busy readers.