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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