Georgia's love affair with sugarcane syrup has been officially recognized with Governor Brian Kemp signing a bill that designates the fourth Friday in November, the day after Thanksgiving, as "National Sugarcane Syrup Day" in the state. The move aims to celebrate the long-standing tradition of crafting natural sugarcane syrup and raise awareness about its unique qualities compared to artificial alternatives.
The legislation highlights the increasing challenges faced by sugarcane syrup producers, including rising production costs, competition from artificial syrups, and a decline in the number of active farmers. Recognizing this, the bill emphasizes the importance of preserving this "dying art" by honoring the families who continue this tradition and educating the public. The day after Thanksgiving was chosen specifically, as it is a time when families gather and, according to some, when sugarcane in Georgia reaches its peak sweetness.
Patricia and Randy Morton of L&M Farms (Lee's Syrup) in Statesboro were present at the official signing ceremony held recently in Savannah. They expressed their gratitude to local representation, specifically thanking Representative Lehman Franklin of Statesboro and Representative Rick Townsend of St. Simons Island for their efforts in championing the bill through the state legislature.
"With all the major issues they had to address at the capitol this year, it was good that they could also find time to do something lighthearted, historical and positive for our state," commented Randy Morton. Their presence at the signing underscores the local significance of this recognition for sugarcane syrup producers in the Statesboro area and across Georgia.
The establishment of National Sugarcane Syrup Day is seen as a way to not only honor the past but also to promote the future of this agricultural tradition, encouraging families and individuals to appreciate and support the authentic taste of natural sugarcane syrup. Georgians can now look forward to celebrating this sweet heritage every year on the Friday following Thanksgiving.
“The process of growing and producing sugarcane is a time-honored tradition in Georgia — one deeply rooted in our agricultural and cultural history,” said State Representative Lehman Franklin (R-Statesboro), sponsor of House Bill 166. “It’s great to see Governor Kemp recognize this legacy with a day that highlights not just an industry, but a way of life that shaped so many communities across our state. In a time when fewer people know the work behind it, it’s fitting to pause and honor the generations who kept this tradition alive."
