THEY SAY AMERICANS LIKE TO DO THINGS IN A BIG WAY, AYE? WELL YOU MUST READ ABOUT WHAT THIS STRAWBERRY FARMER IN WISCONSIN DID LAST YEAR WHEN PEOPLE COULDN'T GO OUT MUCH DURING THE PANDEMIC. IT BROUGHT SMILES TO EVERYONE'S FACES - EVEN THOSE WHO WERE TOO FAR TO COME. I'VE OFTEN SAID PLACES ARE FROM A TO B IN ADELAIDE, A TO G IN OTHER STATES, AND A TO Z IN AMERICA. THIS DID NOT STOP PEOPLE TRAVELLING FROM MANY CITIES NEAR AND FAR. SOME FOLK HAVE A WAY OF "CHEERING PEOPLE UP" AND THIS STRAWBERRY FARMER IS ONE OF THEM - WHAT A NICE THING TO DO, SUCH A KIND GESTURE!
'Everyone Is So Happy'
Scott Thompson wakes up each day to a field decorated with more than two million blooming sunflowers.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with a dark cloud looming over the world, the Wisconsin farmer decided it was time to breathe joy into 2020.
So, he planted millions of the vibrant yellow flowers on his strawberry fields.
"As the season went on, the pandemic never went anywhere ... and we thought people might be looking for something to do, and what a great way to social distance and ... smile, basically," Thompson told CNN.
Thompson's family has been farming in Kenosha County, a rural, south-eastern corner of the US state of Wisconsin, for seven decades — this is the first year the farm has been transformed from a berry-picking plain to a bed of flowers.
Thompson and his wife aimed to spread a little happiness by planting 22 acres of flowers across their 15 fields.
They've since opened the grounds to allow families to picnic and enjoy some socially-distanced fun.
"One of the things that's so cool about this is everyone is so happy," Thompson said.
"People are so happy to be out there and have a place to go."
Guests are also welcome to pick sunflowers by the dozen for $25 ($34 AUD) per groups of six through September, according to the farm's website.
They can also take photos in the fields, provided they tag the farm in their social media posts.
Word of the floral haven has spread, with visitors crossing the country to witness the golden glow of the sunflowers.
Thompson told CNN one woman even came from Chicago to escape the gloom of the pandemic.
In fact, they’ve planted fields of short sunflowers precisely because “it makes for pretty awesome pictures. We grew shorter ones for the perfect selfie so you can get that sea of yellow behind you.”
In addition to sunflowers, guests can also see fields of zinnias, wildflowers and Mexican sunflowers planted fresh for the season.
"We just did it ... and we just kept building,"
Word of their sunshine oasis has spread mostly through word of mouth as people come to enjoy a small break from reality.
"This is what the world needs to heal. Flowers feed the soul. Thanks for making the world a little brighter!" wrote one Instagram commenter.
"Thank you for doing that. I live in California but it still made me feel better," wrote another.
Still, Thompson believes spreading happiness is important, and will be making the sunflowers a regular occurrence at the farm for years to come.
"Bring a blanket and have a picnic!"
Source HERE