The COVID-19 pandemic cast a long shadow over what would normally be the carefree summer months. Health restrictions and travel bans forced many people to cancel vacations and scale back large get-togethers.
It seems as though there hasn’t been much to smile about lately, so one Wisconsin farmer decided to plant a field of happiness on his farm. In fact, he filled some of his fields with 2 million sunflowers!
Scott Thompson of Bristol, Wisconsin, has a farm that has been in the family for more than 70 years. But 2020 has been a year unlike any other. So, he and his wife talked about what they could do at Thompson Strawberry Farm to help lift people’s spirits, and planting sunflowers seemed like the perfect idea.
“We just did it … and we just kept building,” Thompson told CNN. “As the season went on, the pandemic never went anywhere … and we thought people might be looking for something to do, and what a great way to social distance and … smile, basically.”
In true “Field of Dreams” spirit, the Thompsons planted the fields and people were drawn to them, eager to experience their own little piece of flower heaven. Thousands of visitors have stopped by to snap photos and even pick their own blooms.
Facebook user Amy Lieb Knobel took a snapshot of her recent visit and shared it on Facebook to commemorate the lovely day she spent on the farm.
Ordinarily, the Thompson family plants strawberries, raspberries and pumpkins in their fields. While they left room for their usual favorites, the farmers wound up using 15 fields to plant their magnificent sunflowers over 22 acres of land.
They also planted wildflowers and zinnias to add even more joyful color to their farm.
Now, visitors can head to the flower fields to pick their own blooms. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day through September, visitors can stop by and pay $25 per car (up to six people) to pick a dozen flowers (either sunflowers or zinnias.)
While visiting, you must also snap some photos so you’ll always remember your time spent in a field full of sunshine.
“I’m just glad we get to have a business people are happy to come to … and get away from the city,” Thompson told CNN.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for other great tips and ideas to make the most out of life.
