Sunflowers, smiling faces, something for empty stomachs

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This article was published 15/08/2022 (1156 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It might be the most Instagrammable way to support a good cause.

A sunflower farm in MacGregor recently opened its crops to strangers and their cameras. In partnership with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Dean Toews is accepting donations to help fight global hunger from the dozens of photo-takers who visit each day.

“We thought that it would be a neat way of connecting the public to agriculture and providing an avenue for fundraising,” Toews said.

The sunflower farm did a trial run of the fundraiser last year and raised more than $2,000, in addition to $20,000 in sunflower crop revenue. Since officially opening on Saturday, dozens of cars have stopped by to take photos. The donation bank has accumulated $175 so far, and Toews is excited to see that number increase.

“All day, every day there’s someone going or going from there,” Toews said. “We’re not even in full bloom yet. I think it’s just going to increase in the next couple of weeks.”

Although a sunflower farm on a highway is a surefire way to attract photo-ops, Toews said it doesn’t take away from the fact that taking pictures on a private crop is still trespassing. While Toews said it wasn’t as much of an issue on his farm, having volunteers on-site ensures that the crops won’t be damaged.

“In this way, we’ve given permission and also allowed trails in there so people can walk through and not cause extra damage to the crop,” Toews said.

Toews is also the chair of Feed Other Countries Undo Starvation, also known as FOCUS. Several other farms in the rural Manitoba area partake in the initiative, which grow crops, raise money and donate their proceeds to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is composed of 15 different churches and church-based organizations working to fight world hunger. The bank works with international partners to distribute food to those in need. Gordon Janzen, a regional representative for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, said the funding raised by Toews’ sunflower initiative will help the organization through cash donations and by raising awareness.

“Right now, we are hearing that there are 193 million people in emergency hunger need,” Janzen said. “It’s gone up 40 million people since last year, so that’s the current situation that our member agencies are trying to respond to.”

To donate, visitors can drop off cash in a secure bin or scan a QR code to make a virtual transaction. Those lucky enough to make the trip are allowed to take a sunflower head as a souvenir, as long as they donate a buck or two in return.

Though he’s often working outside the field, Toews takes great delight in watching strangers bask in the sunflowers for hours. Occasionally, he witnesses visitors video calling their loved ones to share the moment.

“You can’t take a picture in a sunflower field and not smile and be happy,” Toews said.

cierra.bettens@freepress.mb.ca