Photo of Kendal Farms sunflower field north of Highway 43X traffic circle

By Erika Rolling

Ukraine Fundraiser

Local sunflower field more than just a picturesque site

Aug 31, 2022 | 4:30 PM

County of Grande Prairie farmer, Ken Drysdale of Kendal Farms Ltd. planted over two million seeds this spring for a beautiful sunflower field that is in full bloom now.

The field is bordered by two paved roads, north of the traffic circle of Highway 43X and Range Road 63.

But Drysdale says it’s more than just a pretty place to take pictures at.

There are large signs with Ukrainian flags that stand tall amongst their national flower.

“I knew through the spring after the February war that started over there, the news would eventually fade away and people would start getting on with their lives and forget about them… and I wanted to keep the attention on it.”

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“The Ukrainian people have pioneered the west with our folks, grandparents, and great-grandparents. They are within our community throughout the west, and a big part of it and are leaders and hard workers, have been family for a lot of us,” Drysdale says.

He says attention is drawn from passers-by with the bright yellow crop beside the road and then looks to the signs that read “Shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine”.

“It keeps people mindful of what they’re going through over there and what we can do to help, what we need to do.”

Drysdale says Kendal Farms plans on turning the sunflower seeds into bird seed, which will hopefully be sold in the local area this fall.

“All the funds will go to a local organization that will help manage pay for some rent and utilities for those coming from the war zone.”

He says everyone is welcome to go out to the sunflower field to go take pictures, take a few homes for the table vase, walk amongst them, or whatever they wish.

“The best time to come is on a bright blue sky evening when the sun is going to set. The pictures that have been sent to me are just… unbelievable.”