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Freewoods Farm in Myrtle Beach area offers more than history. Here’s what to know

By Megan Wallace
Edmond Cambell feeds sugar cane through the mill during the process to make syrup at Freewoods Farms in 2016. The traditional process of stripping, grinding, and cooking the cane to make sorghum syrup has continued in the Burgess community since the 19th Century. Freewoods Farm, devoted to recognizing and perpetuating the contributions of African-American farmers, is open to the public and welcomes volunteers. Nov. 17, 2016.
Edmond Cambell feeds sugar cane through the mill during the process to make syrup at Freewoods Farms in 2016. The traditional process of stripping, grinding, and cooking the cane to make sorghum syrup has continued in the Burgess community since the 19th Century. Freewoods Farm, devoted to recognizing and perpetuating the contributions of African-American farmers, is open to the public and welcomes volunteers. Nov. 17, 2016. JASON LEE jlee@thesunnews

Freewoods Farm is a living landmark in the grand strand area. This farm was founded by slaves that were freed after the emancipation proclamation.

In 2000, O’Neal Smalls took over as president and chair of the farm and has been maintaining the farm since. Smalls’ said his goal for the farm is to keep sharing its story.

“We tell the story of what they did on those farms and from those farms because those black farmers did a lot, they built schools, they built colleges, all from those farms,” Smalls said.

The farm doesn’t just serve as a living museum. One of the many buildings on the farm has more recently been used for different events including a spring market, weddings, or family reunions.

“We have that building over there we have family reunions, and weddings. To book an event first you go over there and look at it and see what it’s like and then we have a contract you pick up and we work it out together,” Smalls said.

The last spring market was held in March and offered food, shopping, and live entertainment.

This story was originally published July 12, 2022 at 5:00 AM.

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