By Chloe Cramutola
Sunflowers are known to symbolize happiness, long life, good fortune, positive opportunities and personal growth.
Bright and golden, these flowers are famous for raising their heads high to face the sun throughout the day. Heads consist of 1,000 to 2,000 individual flowers joined together by the receptacle at its base. Its large petals are actually individual ray flowers, and they cannot reproduce. These beautiful flowers bloom in the late summer and fall, usually 70 to 100 days after planting the seeds.
South Jersey visitors and locals looking for activities to do during the summer have come to the right place — these four farms are perfect for enjoying the day and picking baskets of sunflowers.
Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy Farm, Upper Township
After establishing itself in 2016, Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy’s mission has been “to educate [the] community and provide wholesome, farm-fresh local food and services,” according to its website. The farm also strives to be a fun, safe and interactive environment for families to get together and learn.
Two acres of black oil sunflowers are grown on the farm, which means they are an all-natural sunflower, according to owners Bill and Barbara Simmerman.
“Actually, we have a special going on, because I want everybody to experience the sunflowers,” said Bill Simmerman.
Customers who arrive during store hours, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., can buy something and then pick as many sunflowers as their baskets can carry.
Two months of the growing season have been without any rain, and “the heat has been horrible,” Bill Simmerman said. While the sunflowers did not grow over 5 feet tall, as they do in normal weather conditions, the heads still bloomed fully and beautifully.
On July 13, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., the farm invited guests to enjoy a day of live music, local food and a specialty sunflower beer at its annual Sunflower Festival. Working with Ludlam Island Brewery birthed the Sunflower Pale Ale with a uniquely nutty, buttery taste. With hayrides, a petting zoo and thousands of sunflowers for picking, the farm transformed into a summer celebration.
From May through September, the farm’s goods can be found at local markets with fresh yogurts and cheeses, sausages, ground meat, and more. Check out its website for more market locations, hours and addresses.
Good Old Days Sunflower Farm, Upper Township
Located in Upper Township, this farm offers thousands of sunflowers that sprout up and invite guests to take photos and take bouquets home. Situated at the corner of Old Tuckahoe and Dennisville-Petersburg roads, owner and founder Donald Westergom works with Ketty Lippi to plant the bright flowers until mid-October.
Westergom grew up on a farm in Cologne, where he planted corn. He would plant sunflowers as a necessity — to keep birds away from the fields. When more and more people wanted the sunflowers, he started planting more flowers and less corn.
An antique flower cart and a 1957 Chevy truck sit on the farm, giving the fields and flowers an additional flare of charm that has hooked guests for more than 20 years. Every year, Westergom plants a couple hundred thousand seeds.
From July through mid-September, Westergom and Lippi tend to “their girls” — the sunflowers — and sell them for 50 cents on their roadside farm stand.
Butterhof’s Shady Brook Farm, Egg Harbor City
The Butterhof Family has been farming their land since 1854. Their farm started out as The Chestnut Grove Winery, but the family switched to produce during the prohibition period. Not only does the farm offer sunflower picking, but there is strawberry picking, corn, tomatoes, squash, peaches and freshly baked pies in the summer.
Other farm products include cider and juices, holiday products, honey, jams and jellies. Other arranged activities include fundraiser events, private parties, private tours, school tours, weddings and receptions. The farm also allows picnicking and large groups.
Sunset Flower Farm, Belleplain
At this farm, owners Linda and David Rau “pride [themselves] in quality, freshness, and presentation of [their] cut flowers,” according to their website. They offer special varieties such as peonies, hydrangeas and of course, sunflowers.
The Raus are members of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, Cape May County Beach Plum Association, and the Southern Shore Tourism Region in Cape May County. They also host seasonal events and weddings.
Linda Rau has a degree in horticulture, the science and art of the development and production of quality foods and plants. She has also worked in the flower industry since she was 12 years old. David Rau grew up on a farm in Oklahoma, where he gained experience in farm equipment repair, farm operations and management.
South Jersey may be known for its blueberries, but there are also plenty of wonderful sunflower farms. It’s never too late to grab the family, dress up for charming photos in the fields and enjoy the day picking these golden flowers.
Chloe is a multimedia editor and journalism major at Boston University, where she is Editor at The Daily Free Press. She will be graduating Spring ’25. Connect with her on LinkedIn @chloecramutola
