Willis Farms Belwood

09/04/2026

We are about to begin the 2026 sorghum cane harvest season!! The current plan is to harvest cane on Monday and cook a couple times next week. Of course we will have to get things tuned up and get everything back in order. So I guess this might be the shake down week. The plan is to cook on Wednesdays and Saturdays through September and October. Hopefully the good Lord will smile on us for a good harvest. Hope you can visit. If you time it right you might get to lick the pan!! Photos from last year.

08/26/2026

Things are starting to happen to prepare for harvest. Topped sorghum cane today. Each block of cane is 6 rows wide requiring to reach from each side of each block 3 rows in.

08/24/2026

Wanted to see what the sugar content of the cane was to help decide on harvesting. I was pleasantly surprised. Watch and find out. Honey Drip at 96 days since planting.

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

Lubed up and Checking out new-old McCormick IH corn binder which has been modified for rubber tires. Hope to use it for this year’s harvest. Still need to put a bundle carrier on it. Rubber tires will make easier to transport to field.

08/13/2026

Well it’s not going to be long before we will be harvesting sorghum cane. I am figuring around early September but stay tuned. You can see the the honey drip cane is heading a sure sign it want be long. Check out the head lights on the lady bugs, not sure what there up to LOL! I think they might be after some aphids?? Lynn and I washed/sanitized pint jars and lids today, another chore to get ready for syrup season.

07/31/2026

WillisFarms will be at the Foothills Farmers' Market tomorrow with samples of cornmeal muffins made from our Jimmy Red cornmeal. Come give it a try. I can’t explain why there are 4 corn sticks missing!! See map where we will be located at the market.

07/30/2026

Willis Farms will be at Foothills Farmers' Market Saturday August 1st. We will have our Red and White heirloom, whole grain, stone ground cornmeal and coarse and regular grind grits. Take some of our cornmeal and dust those fresh fried green tomatoes or okra. Yet another idea, take some grits and some fresh Carolina shrimp, for shrimp and grits. One of my simple favorites is cornbread broke up in a cold glass of milk. Hope to see y’all Saturday. I am getting hungry making this post.

07/22/2026

Things that’s been happening on the farm. Corn was tasilling during 100+ degree days long with drought. Received couple inches of rain after 50% tasseling and silking, so not certain on how much it has effected yield, we’ll see. Also built new grate for syrup/molasses furnace. Original grate was old storm grate which after 5 years was in 3 pieces. Also built new furnace door to replace the old door. I hated to remove the old nostalgic door as it was probably 70 to 80 years old which came off the farm where I got my original horse cane mill. Also added forced draft. Spent morning pulling pigweed which is trying to take over part of the corn field. Hopefully we receive the rain they are forecasting for Thursday and Friday. It will definitely help things grow. We do have cornmeal and grits here at the farm if you need some.

07/03/2026

Willis Farms will be in Old Fort for Pioneers Days at the Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage Center Friday July 3rd from 10 am until 4 pm. We will be above the amphitheater in the shade. We will have our grits, cornmeal and a limited amount of sweet sorghum syrup molasses. Come see us! We will be under a red canopy. Below picture was from 2024.