By Erika Rolling

Community

Local sunflower seeds being sold to benefit Ukrainian refugee families

Jan 12, 2023 | 12:44 PM

Grande Prairie producer Ken Drysdale of Kendal Farms now has the seeds from his scenic sunflower field in 2022 on the shelves of local businesses, with all proceeds going to settled Ukrainians that fled the war zone of their home country to be in the Peace country.

Drysdale planted the crop on a whim; to have a beautiful backdrop to the Prairie sunsets during the long summer hours and to keep awareness of the war overseas, having large signage off Highway 43X near the traffic circle reading “Shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine” with the flag of the country behind the quote.

SEE MORE: Local sunflower field more than just a picturesque site

He says the community support from helping grow the crop, to getting it cleaned and bagged, and onto shelves has been tremendous.

“It’s grown into a really good, worthy cause, and just huge support from everybody around. I look forward to getting the seeds sold and getting the funds to the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie.”

Plan Ahead

Why Would You Pre-Plan Your Funeral?

Apr 03, 2024

Dying away from home

What Happens if You Die Away From Home?

Mar 04, 2024

Flag Retiring Ceremony

What Do You Do With Worn-Out Flags?

Feb 01, 2024

The bags can be purchased for $50 per bag at:

• Rentco Equipment in west-end Grande Prairie
• Bobcat of the Peace
• Northern Metallic Grande Prairie and Clairmont
• Prairie Coast Equipment
• Rocky Mountain Equipment
• Trapper Gord Homestead and Survival near Debolt

All the proceeds from the sales of the 33-pound bags of black sunflower bird seeds will go directly to the GP Rotary Ukrainian Relief Fund.

Drysdale says the field was finally ready to be taken off in December, due to harvest conditions being too nice in the fall of 2022 and the region not getting the first cold snap and frost before snow hit the ground.

SEE MORE: Local sunflower field harvested in snow, profit to go to Ukrainian refugees

The sunflowers seeds were cleaned by Wembley Seed Cleaning Plant and bagged and palleted by Fosters Seed and Feed in Beaverlodge, free of charge for the cause.

Drysdale says there were a number of people and businesses that have helped him in his first venture with the crop from seeding to selling, including local beekeeper Steve Strebchuk bringing hives to the field in the summer, SpeedPro Wes for signage, as well as the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie for identifying refugee families in the area for all the proceeds to go towards.