This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
04/11/2019 12:00 AMMoney may not grow on trees, but economic and community development is growing fast from the seeds of sunflowers for the Town of North Branford.
The Sunflower Project started as a seed of the Economic Development Commission last year, and it has rapidly captured the imagination and focus of people of all ages in North Branford and beyond. The program is called Destination North Branford: The Sunflower Project.
The goals of the project are to harness North Branford's cultural and economic roots in agriculture, including its growing cache of farms, wineries, breweries, nature-based businesses and expansive sunflower fields, to elevate agri-tourism, lure more consumers to the region, entice native pollinators to promote sustainability and to beautify our town by expanding North Branford's sunflower presence to more homes and businesses.
Thousands of donated sunflower seeds, including towering plants and dwarf sunflowers, have been divided into more than 4,000 seed packets that have just been distributed to locations across town for residents to pick up at no charge.
A growing coalition of volunteers is the engine behind The Sunflower Project, in coordination with the town's economic development coordinator and commission, including children from the Wee Care preschool and seniors at Evergreen Woods (in other words, ages 3 to 98!). Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops filled as many seed packets as were available. The little ones from Wee Care also wanted fill more packets and could not wait to plant their sunflowers.
It was truly heartwarming to see students more interested in getting involved in their community than their devices. Girl Scouts reflected, "...but we can do more! Can we help plant the flowers around North Branford? We want to help. We love this idea!"
Here are some key updates and events to take note of with regard to Destination North Branford: The Sunflower Project --
Volunteers, including children from Wee Care, Girl and Boy Scouts and many others have successfully filled over 4,000 sunflower seed packets for distribution.
Seeds are available at now Atwater Library, Edward Smith Library, the Community Center and North Branford Town Hall. Get them now! Remember not to plant them until Mid-May.
The project has its own website at destinationnorthbranford.com/the-sunflower-project/ and its own Facebook page at Destination North Branford: The Sunflower Project. Visit and like the page to keep track of any project updates.
The project's official launch event will be April 27, tied into Earth Day activities at Totoket Valley Park from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
To learn more about how individuals may contribute to or participate in The Sunflower Project, please call Economic Development Coordinator Roger Salway at 203-484-1034 or email him at edc@townofnorthbranfordct.com.