An entrepreneurial spirit, solid work ethic, and deep respect for the natural landscape has brought Allen full circle to the 500-acre sugarbush that is now Meridan Hill Maple which he owns and operates. Years ago, before a successful logging career he built from the ground up, and current excavation business, Allen would visit Paradis Farm on Meridan Hill in New Hampshire’s Great North Woods as a teenager. Inspired by the natural ruggedness of where he grew up, Allen told the owner that if it ever went up for sale that he wanted to buy it. Twenty years later, Allen got a phone call from the owner saying he was selling it and, as they say: the rest is history.

Before Allen was responsible for project development and finances as an owner, as well as being hands-on with leak checking, bottling and labeling at Meridan Hill Maple, he owned and operated his own logging business. Started in 1984 with a single skidder and one employee, he grew his business into a successful company that employed 40 and produced over 100 loads of wood a week. Working in the woods, Allen grew a deep appreciation for sustainable practices and in protecting the natural resources, ecosystems and wildlife that call the land home. As he added adjoining parcels to the original 150-acre farm over the next few years, he was sure to be selective in protecting and promoting maple trees on the land—with a vision for a sugarbush operation that would carry on for generations.