Maple syrup weather has reached the Hudson Valley this week, with temperatures above freezing every day, and below freezing some nights. Just in time, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Feb. 20 that the New York State Grown and Certified program will now include the New York maple industry. "Expanding the New York State Grown & Certified program to include maple means we can promote more of New York's finest producers, connect consumers to high-quality products, and support the growth of local communities across the state," Cuomo was quoted in a press release. New York's maple producers rank second in the nation in syrup production generating an economic impact of $141 million each year, according to the Cuomo press release. The state holds annual Maple Weekends each year (in 2018 they are on March 17-18 and March 24-25), including 178 maple farms. There are only a few locally on the state's maple map including Maple Leaf Sugaring in Ghent and Platte Creek Maple Farm in Saugerties.