AD V E N T U R E S IN Blo om

BY SHANA O’MALLEY-SMITH

It’s officially the time of year when rows of towering sunflowers begin popping up in farm fields and gardens across Northeast Ohio. The bright yellow petals are a symbol of summer days and they’re also the very first sign that fall will soon be on the horizon. Our region is lucky enough to have a bounty of sunflower fields for families to visit from now through early fall. Take a stroll through a maze of these whimsical beauties, take some family photos, cut your own bouquet or enjoy a sunflower festival during these last days of summer.

Many sunflower fields are located on private farms and landowners invite the public to enjoy their blooms during specific times of the year. Bloom time varies depending on when the flowers were planted and how the weather cooperates during the growing period. Before visiting, make sure to check the farm’s hours and rules for visiting. It’s also a good idea to know their policy on things like photography and cutting or taking flowers from the property. Here are a few local Sunflower Farms to checkout.

22 Acres Farm, Newark, 22acresfarm.com/sunflower

Enjoy 5 acres of photo taking and memory making opportunities.

Harp's Harvest, Massillon, facebook.com/harpsharvest Wander, take photos and cut your own flowers to take home.

White House Fruit Farm, Canfield, whitehousefruitfarm.com

Bring your family and friends to enjoy the fields and flowers.

Maria’s Field of Hope, locations in Avon and Cedar Point, prayersformaria.com

The Sunflower field was inspired by the memory and spirit of Maria McNamara and first planted in 2014 as a way to love and honor courageous children battling cancer and those we have lost. It typically blooms in September during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Shady Acres Farm, Columbia Station, shadyacresfarmohio.com

This farm sustainably grows flowers for cutting, highlighting dahlias and sunflowers. Visit their roadside stand during the summer months with fresh cut bouquets and homegrown vegetables.

Greenfield Berry Farm, Peninsula, greenfieldberryfarm.com

Pick your own bouquet when the fields are in bloom.

Rogish Farm, Chesterland, rogishfarm.com

Experience the sunflower fields first-hand and cut your own bouquet to take home.

Medina Sunflower Farm, Wadsworth

This is a seasonal farm that is only open when the flowers are in bloom. Check their Facebook page, Medina Sunflower Farm, for updates.

Kuchta Farms, Newton Falls, kuchtafarms.com

Explore the beautiful blooms of the sunflower fields beginning September 10.

Ramseyer Farms, Wooster, ramseyerfarms.com

Enjoy this 9-acre flower field loaded with thousands of sunflowers and zinnias.

Arrowhead Orchard, Paris, arrowheadorchard.com

Visit during their seasonal hours for sunflower field walks and to cut your own bouquet.

Sunny Slope Orchard, Navarre, sunnyslopeapples.com

Featuring locally grown produce and a seasonal sunflower field.

Burnham Orchards, Berlin Heights, burnhamorchards.com

Visit this family owned and operated orchard for fruit, farm fun and a seasonal sunflower field.

YOU WILL NEED: cardstock in yellow and green acrylic paint in black and brown scissors a glue stick

DIRECTIONS:

1. Begin by tracing your child’s handprint. You will need 4 handprints of the yellow paper. Fold the paper lengthwise and then in half again to make 4 sections, then trace the handprint on the front so you can cut out 4 at one time.

2. Also cut a handprint out of the green cardstock, as well as a long strip for the stem.

3. Glue the green handprint onto the stem.

4. Glue one palm of one yellow handprint on top of another to form a flower shape.

5. Dip a fingertip into the black paint. Paint fingerprints in a circular pattern in the center of the sunflower. Add a few brown fingerprints, too, for dimension. Let the glue dry.

6. Glue the sunflower top onto the stem. (ourkidthings.com/handprint-sunflower-craft)

S U N F L O W E R S E E D B R I T T L E

INGREDIENTS:

1 tbsp. unsalted butter

1 cup salted dry roasted sunflower seeds

¼ tsp. salt

1 cup sugar

*optional add a few drops of honey or pure vanilla extract for additional flavor

DIRECTIONS:

1. Butter a large baking sheet and set aside

2. Melt butter in a sauce pan

3. Add seeds and salt and mix well (keep warm)

4. Melt sugar in a heavy skillet over medium heat, stir constantly

5. When sugar is golden brown, quickly stir in the warm seeds

6. Pour onto baking sheet and spread with a spoon into a 10-inch square

7. Let cool until firm

8. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container (food.com/recipe/sunflower-seedbrittle-32129)