Making Sorghum Syrup Near Beirne

Friday (10-24) just over into Clark County near Beirne, a family got together to do something that’s been going on for nigh on to 100 years.  The Hatley family had their annual sorghum syrup making.  Some gather up the sorghum cane while others feed it into a motorized crusher that squeeze the juice out.  It heads down into a tub where it’s filtered and flows over to a heated vat.  The vat is heated by a wood fire while others continually skim the cooking juice to remove impurities.  Eventually the cooked syrup is put into bottles and jars for the Hatley family to enjoy throughout the year.

The event was a joyous celebration that brought in numerous friends to visit the family.  Hatley family friend Freddie Horne even brought some musicians to play while the syrup cooked.  Those who attended enjoyed seeing the old-fashioned art of making syrup from the cane to the finished product.