Sunflower Beauty and Grace

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Phil D.

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There is a farm about 20 miles from us that has some really beautiful sunflower fields (which is of course the state flower of Kansas "the sunflower state"). The farmers have graciously made it available for the public to enjoy for almost 50 years now, though a planned visit tomorrow will be our first time.

The info presented on their Facebook page is a smile-provoking display of grace, common sense, forbearance of the lack of such, and humor, that I thought it worth sharing - especially in this time when anti-socializing is so prevalent, ever threatening so much gloom...
THIS IS HOW IT WORKS:​
- We are a row crop farm and just happen to plant a few sunflowers. Feel free to walk into the field, gaze at them from afar…whatever. It seems to bring people joy, and sharing it brings us joy. We started doing this in the 1970s with zero knowledge that anyone would ever notice or care.​
- Our farm is just that…a farm. We do this for our living, not as a hobby. We grow corn and soybeans, rye as a cover crop, and a few sunflowers. We grow the flowers for birdfeed. At some point, someone found out about the sunflowers, and here we are. Our farm is not a playground. If you see a tractor, round bale, grain bin, barn, semi, or any other equipment; we didn’t put it there to be climbed on or into.​
- The field does not have business hours (it’s a field!), but if it’s dark and you’re up to no good, go home!​
- If you came out to party, just NO!​
- Week days and mornings are the paths less traveled. Although traffic hasn’t really been an issue since the incident we have dubbed “Carmageddon 2016,” to help with any possible issues, try to come at an “off” time.​
- There are no restrooms. It’s a field and we don’t charge admission, so “holding it” is the price you pay.​
- When driving to and from the field, PUT DOWN THE PHONE! This will only improve driving conditions for everyone, everywhere. Amen!​
- If you lost something in the field and it’s big enough to damage a combine…find it! New combines cost $600 thousand dollars…just one tire is a couple thousand. (Seriously not kidding…Google it!) Also related, hang onto your glasses. They are, by far, the #1 item that get lost in the field. #2…car keys; #3…credit cards: #4…unwatched children.​
- The field road at 24050 Stillwell also happens to be a driveway, so PLEASE be respectful and don't block it. The owners of the driveway are kind enough to let us use it, but we don’t want them to get trapped in or out. If you find a sign that says, "Private Drive," that's exactly what it means. Turn around and don’t go that way. If you see someone driving there, assume that they own the road, or just think that they do.​
-We don’t have restrooms.​
- DO NOT park on the street AT ALL. It’s just not safe and the sheriff doesn’t like it. Consider yourself warned.​
- You are welcome to pick the sunflowers, although it really is nice if you don’t. Try to preserve the beauty for those after you. If you “accidentally” pick one, just know that they will probably wilt and die before you get home. Also, if you have a kid that just really wants one, be prepared for that same kid to scream when they realize there is a bug on it. This generally happens when you’re driving home… (You’ve been warned!) Also, if you do pick one, please leave a dollar for each one in the donation box. As always, weeds are free. Donations are always welcome. Even if the flowers don’t get picked, there is quite a bit of loss from trampling.​
- RVs and trailers are not recommended. We use the term "parking lot" very loosely. On a farm, “parking lot” means pasture.​
- We love friendly dogs, but not everybody does so please remember that if you bring Sparky, put your fur baby on a leash…and PICK UP after him. I have a super large dog myself and always carry baggies. I have tiny hands and it’s a challenge, but if I can do it, you can, too. And (this is super important) if you are kind enough to bag it, please take it home with you. We don’t have trash cans and picking up bags of poo isn't a fun evening activity for us.​
- Please be kind to our neighbors. They didn’t ask us to plant sunflowers.​
- To the person who brought the ice cream truck 5 years ago: it still makes me chuckle, but it’s still a hard no.​
- If you haul it in, haul it back out. We are farmers, not trash picker-uppers.​
- Everybody poops…especially babies. You can easily expect your child to fully utilize their diaper so come prepared to haul that hot mess back home with you, too. Farmer Ted is tired of picking up diapers, and even in a non-pandemic world, that’s toxic waste! We’ve raised our own little poop factories. We remember.​
- Although we considered planting the field in our climate-controlled superdome, we opted for outside in nature. This means it will (most likely) be hot and buggy. Honey bees are a given and are our friends. We go to great lengths to protect them. They are not at all interested in stinging you, as they are just busy doing their jobs. We NEVER spray our sunflowers with insecticides…EVER! It’s not happening and it’s not up for argument. There will be bugs!​
- I can’t stress this enough: There are no restrooms!!!!!!!!!!!! (It’s a field.)​
- If you are questioning whether something is permitted, the answer is probably “no.”​
- If you’re wondering if something is too muddy to drive on, the answer is probably “yes.”​
- There will never be restrooms. Ever.​
- The last and most important thing: ENJOY! Put away the phone and just take it all in. The sunflowers only bloom for 2 to 3 weeks. We are all looking for some clarity in 2020, and maybe some of us will find it in a sunflower field. Look out for one another. Kindness is contagious, and unlike Coronavirus, perfectly safe to share. Be patient and sweet! We are not here for ourselves.​
♥ - the farmer’s wife​
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