Burton�s Sugar Farm takes you back in time
by Glynda Phillips
If you�re curious about the early years of Mississippi farm life, you will want to visit Alfred and Jeannie Burton�s Sugar Farm Heritage Village and Pumpkin Patch (or simply Burton�s Sugar Farm) located near Michigan City on Highway 72. The farm is open for five weeks in the fall � from the last Saturday in September until Oct. 31 � as well as for a Memorial Day event in May and a Sorghum Fest event on the first weekend in Oct. This year, the Sorghum Fest is set for October 1-3.
At Burton�s Sugar Farm, you will find authentic turn-of-the-century grist and sorghum mills as well as a 1935 restored saw mill. People are usually on hand to operate the mills.
You will also find a reproduction of an old blacksmith shop where a trained blacksmith makes iron artifacts using an old-timey forge and anvil.
In addition, you can visit a country store that sells candles, goat�s milk products, sweet sorghum molasses, fresh cornmeal and wares from local craftsmen. You can take a hayride down a country lane; visit a pumpkin patch; or try your skills at finding your way out of a huge hay maze.
During the farm�s special events, you will see antique tractor, farm truck and lawnmower �pulls;� a large display of antique tractors; and steam engines in action.
Craftsmen are invited to display their wares during both the Memorial Day and Fall Sorghum Fest events.
A family farm �This is a family farm,� Alfred said. �And this year marks our 125th year in operation. The grist mill belonged to my grandfather who came over here from Arkansas and settled in 1879.
�In the past, we�ve grown row crops, cattle and hay, but now we grow pumpkins and sorghum and open the farm to the public.�
How did the Burtons come up with the name �Sugar Farm?� It�s not what you think. They don�t grow sugar cane.
In the early 1970s, the Burtons acquired some land from a neighbor.
�He always called his land his little sugar farm,� Alfred said. �After we bought it, he would always ask us, �How�s the sugar farm doing?�
�When we began our agri-entertainment business, we were looking for a catchy name and that�s how the Sugar Farm was born.�
Customer base Customers visit Burton�s Sugar Farm primarily from the Memphis and Collierville, Tennessee area as well as from north Mississippi towns like Ashland, Southhaven, Senatobia and Olive Branch.
Alfred says he�s also had people from as far away as Utah, who were traveling through North Mississippi, stop by wanting to buy molasses.
Mid-South Flywheelers The Mid-South Flywheelers Antique Club now calls Burton�s Sugar Farm its home. The club parks some of its antique farm equipment there year-round, and members meet there every fourth weekend.
�It�s just a bunch of grownups having fun with their toys,� Jeannie said with a laugh. �But it�s fun to watch them.�
�I invited the Flywheelers to use the farm as their headquarters because I wanted them to enhance what Jeannie and I were attempting to do,� Alfred said. �It�s worked out well.�
Future plans Future plans for Burton�s Sugar Farm include a Bluegrass Festival, a Civil War Re-enactment and possibly a Christmas Hayride. A Civil War Encampment will be held at the Sorghum Fest in October.
The Burtons also have a clubhouse available on the property for class reunions, Boy Scout meetings, church retreats and family reunions.
�We shut the gate, and you have private run of the farm ... within reason,� Alfred said. �We have some farm ponds for catch and release fishing and a hiking trail that kids can ride their bikes down and that also serves as a hayride trail.�
For more information or to plan a visit, call Burton�s Sugar Farm at 662-224-8212. The pumpkin patch is by appointment only for groups during the week throughout October.
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