Turner family sets rain date for sorghum making in case weather doesn’t cooperate


Doyle Turner stands in front of a bumper crop of sorghum that’s growing on the family farm in Thornfield. Turner said the sorghum crop hasn’t done well the past two years, but this year, the cane has flourished, standing 10-12 feet tall.

As reported in last week’s edition of the Times, the Turner family plans to make molasses at their farm in Thornfield Saturday, Oct. 7. However, the forecast is calling for a 40 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms, and Doyle Turner says, “We can’t cook if it’s raining.” So the family has set a rain date of Saturday, Oct. 14, “just in case the weather doesn’t cooperate with us,” he said.

Whichever day it’s held, the public is invited to watch the molasses-cooking demonstration, which should start around 8 a.m., with the first batch ready to pull and jar between 9 and 10 a.m., said Linda Turner Daugherty. 

To get to the farm from Gainesville, take Highway 5 North to Wasola, turn left on Highway 95 at the old Y store and continue past Thornfield for 2 miles. Turn right on D Highway then turn left on County Road 915 and watch for signs.

If the weather is questionable, those interested in attending are welcome to call Doyle Turner at 417-372-0568 Friday evening to see if the sorghum making is still scheduled.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423