Burton’s Sugar Farm Trail Ride August 26 by Don Dowdle Trail riders from across the Mid-South will travel to Burton's Sugar Farm near Michigan City, Mississippi in a ride to benefit the charity, This Horse Is Silent Cares, on August 26. The charity is headquartered in Holly Springs and provides financial help for children in need from an equestrian environment. The trail ride marks a new endeavor for Alfred and Jeannie Burton who own the 500 acre farm located on Hwy. 72 in Benton County. They are transforming their family farm into a showcase of events that promote agriculture and a Heritage Village that demonstrates how farm families lived and worked in the past. The couple has made their annual Memorial Day Celebration a must see event featuring antique tractors, lawn mower and truck pulls, BBQ contests and steam powered engines. Plans are being finalized for the annual Sorghum Festival on Oct. 7 and 8. Activities scheduled for the weekend of family entertainment include craftsman making items such as soap, yarn, candles and brooms as well as hay rides and visits to the pumpkin patch. Contestants from several states will compete in the truck pull and antique tractor pull. And of course the smell of sorghum cooking will be everywhere. The addition of organized group trail rides is just another way for Burton's Sugar Farm to promote "Agritourism" reports Alfred Burton. He is serving as the first President of the newly organized Mississippi Association of AgriTourism Association. The Association was formed to provide support and direction for individuals who are looking toward tourism as a way to diversify their farming activities. “We are trying to keep the spirit of farming alive. Kids need to know their food doesn't grow in a grocery store. We are hoping to create a life-long interest in agriculture from the many school groups who visit here,” reported Jeannie who retired from her teaching career to help oversee operations at the farm. The August 26 trail ride will begin at 4 pm followed by a BBQ dinner and bluegrass and county music from Scott and Friends Band from Slayden. Other events include a Matt Wolfe horse handling seminar which starts at 2 pm. Wolfe and his son Matt are from Abbeyville and both are certified John Lyon trainers. Private trail rides are now offered daily at the farm for groups of ten or more. Groups must bring their own horses and limited overnight accommodations are available. From catfish suppers on Friday nights to tractor pulls and sorghum festivals the Burton family is keeping the spirit of agriculture alive in this Mississippi community. For more information on Burton's Sugar Farm call 662-224-8212 or visit www.burtonsugarfarm.com Additional information on T.H.I.S. CARES can be obtained by calling the president, Larry Stewart at 901-827-6277 or visit www.thishorseissilent.org