Kelly, Wendy, Nolan and Kaylee Pistun stand in their field of sunflowers near Snowden. (MKP Photography)

By Susan McNeil

Sunflowers afield

Sunflowers bloom in Northeast Sask.

Sep 12, 2022 | 12:09 PM

This is the second year the Pistun family farm near Snowden grew a crop of sunflowers and it’s fast becoming a family favourite.

Kaylee Pistun, along with Kelly, Wendy and Nolan, started a trial run last year and expanded in 2022.

“From numerous photographers asking permission to access the land for photos, to people stopping at the field during their travels, it is clear that our family is not the only one to enjoy the beauty of these plants,” Pistun said.

Inspired by a sunflower field east of Prince Albert some years ago, the Pistun’s discussed how the yellow flowers could become a commercial crop.

“We would often bring up the topic of planting a sunflower field near our farm to our dad, never imagining that he would,” she said.

Suspect sought

Melfort RCMP looking for assault suspect

23h ago

Road resurfacing

Melfort council approves funding of Saskatchewan Drive rehabilitation

23h ago

Archerwill fire

Process to rebuild and re-equip continues after Archerwill Fire Hall blaze

May 01, 2024

Kelly planted only a small piece of land last year, but this fall about 60 acres of the plant are getting ready for harvest on a piece of land on the north side of Highway 55.

They had no idea how sunflowers would fare as a crop but last year planted it with a combine and header like other crops.

It was still a novelty, though, and neighbours stopped to watch the harvest which happened in late fall after the other crops all were in the bin.

The black oil sunflowers can be used for birdseed, and the Pistun family hopes to use the seed collected from harvest to package and sell.

Whether this will be the third year for the Snowden sunflower field is up to yields this year, but if passersby had their say they would definitely be planted again.

—

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com