If you’re wanting to visit the sunflower field, the time is now

Today I was blessed with a solo trip to Grinter Farm, Sunflower field in Lawrence, Kansas.

It’s so beautiful, I can’t even, I just love it so much

It’s the perfect time to go! If you’re gonna go, go now, or this week, or next week. But that will be it. Sunflowers don’t last long. This year though, ‘the farmer’s wife’- as she proudly referred to herself numerous times during our conversation – said that the field may last a little longer because of the drought, which has made it so that some of the sunflowers are blooming at different times.

Yes, I love sunflowers. I will buy sunflowers in winter from the grocery store. I am pulled and compelled to visit. And I often get asked to photograph families at Grinter’s but I have a tendency to say – no. Because I just want to bask in the beauty of this short time all by myself, can you blame me?

I got to meet the woman behind the farmer, Kris Grinter. I went into Grinter’s lovely gift shop and there she was. So happy to be there, excited about the sunflower season warming up and ready to answer all my bubbling questions.

Happy Hooker

Here is the exact address to plug into google:

24154 Stillwell Road, Lawrence, KS 66044

The gift shop is located a little catty corner west of the actual giant field. It has awesome comfy shirts, hand knitted and made items, paintings, fairy lights in mason jars, kids shirts, and lots of goodies. The farmer’s wife said that the store will be open extended hours this week and next. After the sunflower bloom season is over, the store will remain open on Friday’s and Saturday’s through November. (Shirts will be available for sale online soon – keep checking their Facebook page.)

The sign posted at the entrance of the field explains about the tiny amounts of rain the field received right after planting which resulted in more weeds than normal. The sign also says that this year they would prefer for visitors to NOT cut sunflowers so that as many people as possible can enjoy the entirety of all the blooms together.

It also says that planting the field has been a family tradition since the 70’s and they believe that standing in the middle of a sunflower field brings out the best in people.

‘It has always been a family tradition’

The farmer’s wife explained to me that she really truly loves everyone coming out and visiting her and her husband’s field. She told me stories about how she has feared for peoples safety around the highways trying to get to the field and she made farmer Ted make adjustments to the parking areas for people safety. She said even if there were no visitors that they would continue to plant the field because it brings them and their family joy and is tradition.

If you’re wondering what happens after the season ends

Farmer Ted harvest’s the seeds after the sunflowers have fully withered and sells it as bird seed to local places in the area.

Here are further rules of engagement posted on Facebook – for your reading pleasure:

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
THIS IS HOW IT WORKS:
-We are a row crop farm and just happen to plant a few sunflowers. (We started with 35 acres this year, but the drought had other plans.) Feel free to walk into the field and take pictures. It seems to bring people joy and we aren’t about killing dreams.
-We do not have business hours, but if it’s dark and you’re up to no good, please leave. If it’s dark, you’d better be taking timed exposure shots with your camera. If you are partying, we will assume that we are invited, and we will attend your little soirée. (Our children inform us that we can be quite embarrassing.)
-Week days and mornings are much less crowded. To help with traffic issues, try to come at an “off” time. Evenings and weekends are the most crowded. Last year the traffic was NOT an issue. We (and the county) thank you for that. Well done, sunflower gazers! Well done!
-There are no restrooms.
-When driving to and from the field, PUT DOWN THE PHONE! This will only improve all driving conditions for everyone, everywhere. Amen!
-If you lost something in the field and it’s big enough to mess up a combine…please find it. New combines cost half a million dollars. (Seriously not kidding…Google it!) Also related, hang onto your glasses. They are, by far, the #1 item that we find in the field. #2…car keys; #3…credit cards. (Weird!)
-The closest address to the field is 24154 Stillwell Road, Lawrence, KS 66044. The field surrounds this house but is not inside of the house. Don’t come knocking if you don’t see sunflowers; you’ll just make the dogs bark. If you don’t see sunflowers, assume you are either too early or too late.
-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. The same rule applies to all our neighbors. If you find a sign that says, “Private Drive,” that’s what it means. If you see someone driving there, assume that they own the driveway or are guests of the people that do. Or you can assume that those individuals find themselves immune to all rules, and that they also leave their shopping carts in parking lots when they are finished with them, instead of walking them to a cart stall like civilized human beings.
-We don’t have restrooms.
– If it’s not wet from rain, please try to park in one of the pastures or grassy areas. We REALLY don’t want people to park on the street AT ALL. It becomes a dangerous situation when emergency vehicles can’t get through if needed. We are doing everything within our ability to encourage people to get OFF of the road. We always need to be able to get a vehicle through. You could even be ticketed, and that would put a damper on the whole experience.
-We do allow people to cut sunflowers if they wish, although this year we are discouraging you from doing so. We have been in an area of extreme drought and the field has suffered. The sunflowers came up in stages, so it would be nice for people to leave what is blooming for others to see and enjoy. We do have “donation” boxes at the field and a general rule of thumb is a dollar a flower, but honestly, they do NOT make great cut flowers, but it’s really okay if you just have to have one. Just know that they will probably wilt and die before you get home, and they make a mess from the pollen. 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 in the car…driving… (You’ve been warned!)
-As always, weeds are free, and we encourage you to pick those at will. Cockleburs are making the field a hot mess.
-Professionals: Remember that if you’re making $ off of our field, a donation in the box is a lovely and much appreciated gesture. Also, please be courteous and expect to just Photoshop people out of your frame instead of asking people to step aside. DON’T set up shop. And DON’T bring your RV studio. ((Yes, it happened, thus the rule.))
-On that note, leave your RVs and trailers at home. You’ll regret your decision if you don’t. When I say there is no room to turn it around, let alone park it, I’m really not kidding.
-No horses. They are too big and require a trailer (see previous note.) We love horses, but no.
-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, be kind enough to take it home with you. (It’s why car trunks were invented, and we really can’t use it for fertilizer.)
-If you find a cat, don’t assume it’s homeless.
-Also, please DON’T drop off any more dogs or cats! Although we have gotten our best pets this way, we are not a sanctuary. (Yes, sadly, every rule has a precedent.)
-Our neighbor’s chickens still like to cross the road. (I’m really not questioning their motives to cross the road; it’s their prerogative.) Please go slow and try not to hit one…good advice in any situation, I think.
-To the person who brought the ice cream truck 3 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 mess back home with you, too. I suggest Ziplocs, hand sanitizer, air freshener, more diapers, and a change of clothes. (You may want to bring a change of clothes for the baby, too.) 😉
-The field will (most likely) be hot and buggy (and maybe even soggy). Be prepared for nature. Honey bees are a given and are our friends. We go to great lengths to protect the bees. They are not at all interested in stinging you, as they are just busy doing their jobs. But just in case you are allergic, come equipped with your $600 epi pen. (Seriously, don’t get me started on the cost of things!)
-There are no restrooms!!!!!!!!!!!! (It’s a field.)
-Our farm is just that…a farm. It 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. As your mama should have told you: look with your eyes, not with your hands! The only things that are acceptable to climb on are the little square bales and the old trailer that farmer Ted will probably set out for you to get a better vantage point. If you see someone climbing on equipment, feel free to do your best farmer Ted imitation and yell, “Get yer buns off of that thar thing! What in tarnation do ya think yer doin’?” (He doesn’t really talk like that…most of the time…but you’ll sound hilarious and you’ll get their attention.) If there is caution tape up, don’t assume we put it there to keep the rodents out.
-After careful consideration, we opted not to put sidewalks in the field. It was a thoughtful suggestion, though. *rolls eyes*
-The dying crops around the sunflowers are not worthless, even though they may appear so to you. Do not pick ears of field corn and chuck them as far as you can! Where do you whipper snappers think your Doritos come from? (Didn’t think I’d have to write this one down, but alas…)
-There will never be restrooms. Ever.
-We do not charge admission or a parking fee. This is not an event or a festival. It is just a crop that the farm started growing in the 70s and continues to do so. We continue to share our field because, truly, if you have the chance to share joy, why wouldn’t you?
Okay! Now that I think I have the rules for engagement covered, I’ll just say ENJOY! (And please be careful.)
A friendly reiteration… park in a mowed pasture area. It will help to keep traffic moving and keep people as safe as possible. Be EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS if you are crossing a road! Look out for one another. Remember, kindness is contagious! Be sweet!
much ♥-the farmer’s wife