How sweet it is to be the nation’s oldest family-owned and operated raw sugar maker. With two centuries in business, M. A. Patout & Son stands as a quintessential American success story. Founded in Patoutville, Louisiana, in the early 19th century, this company has survived for seven generations, and counting. It is a remarkable legacy that represents a cornerstone of one of Louisiana’s most important and resilient industries: sugar cane. Over the last half century, M. A. Patout has grown into a regional economic powerhouse. The impressive growth and innovation over the last several decades transformed the once modestly-sized company into a modern sugar enterprise. Historian Jason Theriot explores the last fifty years of this important Louisiana-based company and pays tribute to the people who built it. This company history book will be published by UL Press and released in 2025.