Growing a sunflower business
Pioneer Times photo/Joseph CyrMONTICELLO — Take a drive down the Gentle Road will reveal one of the most impressive displays of nature as a massive field of sunflowers is currently in full bloom. And as impressive as it is for its aesthetic beauty, there is actually an economic reason for the flora.
Sara Corey of Corey Farms explained that the farm has been growing sunflowers for their seeds for the past three years.
“We grew them at first just for looks because they are beautiful,” Corey said. “We grew a field of them for our 30th anniversary of farming and it just took off from there.”
Ian Crane of Aroostook Milling said there has been an increased demand for locally-grown products in their store, so the Corey’s sunflower seeds were the perfect fit.
“A lot of people really want their products to be locally made whenever possible,” he said. “The sunflower seeds have been very popular. It has turned into one of our better sellers.”
Because of the high demand, the seeds are only available at the Houlton location. The Corey farm is the sole provider of locally-grown sunflower seeds. The field produces about 3,000 bushels of seeds.
Once the flowers die off, and the head gets really brittle, a combine is used to harvest the sunflower seeds, which are delivered in bulk to Aroostook Milling. No processing is needed. The seeds will be ready in late-October or early-November.
