Join Malcolm as he visits a Queensland sunflower farm and meets the farming family behind the flowers. Along the way, he discovers why sunflowers are called the happiest flowers on Earth, learns about bees and farm animals, and explores what life is like growing sunflowers in Australia.
Why Are Sunflowers Called the Happiest Flowers?
Grandpa unbuckled Malcolm from his car seat. He hopped outside of the vehicle, his red rainboots hitting the ground with a thud. A pair of snips in hand, Malcolm skipped toward the sunflower farm. He was going to pick a bunch for Mum. Malcolm’s eyes lit up at the sight of a sea of yellow sunflowers stretching across the paddock.
“Welcome” a friendly woman said, “I’m Tamara”.
“Did you grow all of these” Malcolm asked.
“We did” she smiled, “our family loves sunflowers”.
“My mum, too” Malcolm adds. “Do you like yellow?”.
“Yes but that’s just the beginning” Tamara explains. “They are the happiest flower on the earth, they bring so much joy. For our family, sunflowers are much more than a crop. From the first turn of the soil to the last bloom shared with our community, then harvest of the seed. Every stage is a journey we take together.”
Malcolm walks alongside the flowers. He notices bees buzzing around them.
“Are the bees looking for honey” Malcolm asks, his grandfather trailing a few steps behind.
“The flowers attract a lot of bees,” she replied. “They and other insects are important for improving the biodiversity around farms and gardens.”
A bee darted past Malcolm's nose. He laughed.
“We have bees from local hives visit our crop,” she whispered, pausing her tour of the farm to crouch down to Malcolm's level. “Maybe this is one of them!”
“Hi, busy bee!” Malcolm said happily.
“It might explain why sunflowers grow so quickly. It only takes about three months for them to grow from planting to blooming. They also have long taproots that reach deep into the soil, helping them find water even during hot, dry weather.”
“So they don’t get thirsty” Malcolm chimed.
“That’s right” Tamara nodded. Sunflowers are the perfect crop for the sometimes dry, hot Queensland summers”.
How Did This Queensland Sunflower Farm Begin?
This time, Grandpa asks a question. “Have you always worked on a sunflower farm?”
“Nope” she smiled. “Our sunflowers were built from love”.
“Love” Malcolm asked incredulously.
“We took our wedding photos on a local farmer’s crop. For our first wedding anniversary, my husband planted me a half-acre crop. Every time I see these flowers and how much our farm has grown, I see a reflection of his love for me and his love for the land."
Grandpa wanted to ask another question, but his voice couldn’t be heard above the sound of laughter. Children were running near hay bales.
What Do Children Do on a Sunflower Farm?
“Hi,” Malcolm called out to a boy whose cheeks were pink from running through the paddocks. “Are you here to pick a sunflower too?”
The boy grinned.
“I live here.”
Malcolm's eyes widened. “You do?”
The boy nodded. “Sometimes we pick sunflowers, but usually we're helping out around the farm.”
"What kind of helping?" Malcolm asked.
"The boys help feed the animals, check water troughs, and give hay to our little mob," Tamara explained.
Malcolm watched the children race past the hay bales.
"So you work and play?"
The boys laughed.
"Yep!"
Malcolm wondered what it would be like to grow up on a farm. Then something bright yellow caught his eye.
Would this very tall sunflower make him mum smile? “Maybe this one?”
Grandfather shook his head. “Nope. Keep going.”
How Do Farm Animals Teach Responsibility?
“Does your farm have animals?” Malcolm asks.
“You’d have to meet Peta sometime” Tamara says. “After learning about raising chooks on the big farm, Hillston, our son got a pet of his own. Hart has raised her from a chick. She has had two lots of chickens now herself. He can pick Peta up, hand feed her and even has a swing with her while he either sings or shares stories with her. We also have chooks for eggs."
"My friend's a magpie," Malcolm said. "Her name is Maggie."
Tamara smiled.
"She must trust you."
"I think she does."
"Trust takes time," Tamara said. "That's how Hart became friends with Peta."
A familiar flutter of wings sounded overhead.
"Maggie!" Malcolm laughed as the magpie swooped down and landed on his shoulder.
Grandpa gave Malcolm's hand a squeeze.
"When you spend time caring for animals," Tamara continued, "they learn to trust you. And in return, they teach you patience, kindness, and responsibility."
Growing Flowers on the Farm
"We've chatted for a while now, haven't we?" Tamara asked. “Now let's take a minute to stop and take in the surroundings. What do you smell?”
“It smells nice,” Malcolm said, closing his eyes.
"I've started growing other flowers to add to my Sunshine Posies. Hart helps me plant the seeds and watch them grow. Sometimes it doesn't go to plan, but when it does, it's beautiful."
"What flowers will grow this spring?" Malcolm asked.
Tamara laughed.
"I don't know. I throw a heap of seeds in the ground and hope for the best."
Malcolm grinned.
"Surprises are fun."
"What do you do with all the flowers?" Malcolm asked.
"Some stay here on the farm, but I also sell Sunshine Posies at the farm stand outside our property gates."
Malcolm looked toward the road.
"People stop and buy flowers?"
"They do," Tamara said. "It's one of my favourite parts of sunflower season."
A Happy Place to Grow
They wandered through the sunflowers until Malcolm suddenly stopped. He spotted a sunflower with petals as bright as sunshine. Maybe this one?
"Can I pick this one for Mum's garden?"
Grandpa looked at the bright yellow bloom and nodded.
"Great choice."
Carefully, Malcolm snipped the stem.
As they walked back toward the car, he looked over the field one last time. Bees buzzed from flower to flower. Children laughed near the hay bales. The sunflowers swayed gently in the breeze.
"You said sunflowers are the happiest flower on Earth," Malcolm said.
"They are," Tamara replied.
Malcolm thought for a moment. Then he smiled.
"I think they're happy because they grow in a happy place."
Tamara looked across the farm and smiled too.
"I think you might be right."
Photo Credit
A special thank you to Ashlee J Photography for generously allowing the use of the beautiful photographs featured in this article.
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