about
Sunflowers for good
Cultivating Hope through Sunflowers: We believe in the symbolic strength of sunflowers to inspire hope. Kalbar Sunflowers is dedicated to creating a positive impact by using the beauty and resilience of sunflowers to uplift spirits and bring joy to individuals.
"At Kalbar Sunflowers, our mission is rooted in the transformative power of sunflowers, embodying the ethos of 'Sunflowers for Good.' We are dedicated to cultivating positive change within our community and beyond. Our mission is guided by five pillars, each representing a core aspect of our commitment to making a meaningful impact:
1. Fundraising for Cancer Care and Research: Kalbar Sunflowers is committed to spearheading fundraising initiatives focused on cancer care and research. Our sunflower-inspired campaigns seek to provide support, resources, and comfort to those affected by cancer, while also contributing to cutting-edge research that advances the fight against this challenging disease.
2. Accessibility for All: We prioritize accessibility in all aspects of our initiatives. By actively collaborating with disability groups and ensuring that our events and resources are inclusive, we strive to create an environment where everyone, regardless of ability, feels valued and empowered.
3. Education as Empowerment: Kalbar Sunflowers is dedicated to educating and empowering individuals. Our educational programs focus on sustainable farming practices, fostering environmental awareness, and promoting a deeper understanding of the interconnection between humanity and the earth.
4.Local Community Engagement: We believe in the strength of community bonds. Kalbar Sunflowers actively engages with local community groups, building a network of support and collaboration. Through partnerships and shared endeavours, we aim to strengthen the fabric of our community and address its unique needs.
5.Tourism that Showcases the Scenic Rim: Nestled in the heart of the Scenic Rim, we take pride in showcasing the natural beauty of our surroundings. Through tourism initiatives, we invite individuals to experience the breathtaking landscapes, fostering a deep appreciation for our environment and contributing to the economic vitality of our region.
At Kalbar Sunflowers, we’re not just about growing sunflowers. While that is our passion, our purpose and mission is to sow the seeds of positivity and growth. With a focus on fundraising for cancer care and research, accessibility, education, local community engagement, and tourism, we’re encouraging a brighter, more hopeful and sustainable future for all. Our ethos of 'Sunflowers for Good' guides our journey, as we work to grow and harvest a lasting and meaningful difference in the lives we touch.
Our journey hasn’t been easy and we acknowledge many people are going through hardships, our aim is to provide the experience of sunshine and joy that sunflowers can provide.
HOW THE FESTIVAL WAS BORN
A festival of flowers, fine food and photography was held amid acres of sunflowers at Kalbar on March 27, 2021. The inaugural Kalbar Sunshine and Sunflower Day will be headlined by high-profile chef Richard Ousby, could lure thousands of guests and host food vans and cooking classes. Though a celebration of beauty and abundance, the idea for the inaugural festival was born out of tough times. It’s seeds were sown when Russell and Jenny Jenner saw Darling Downs farmers “getting cranky” about selfie-crazed tourists traipsing uninvited through sunflower crops. But where others saw a problem, the Kalbar couple saw an opportunity. Because it is not a great time for growers in the Fassifern. And when farmers do it tough, so do farming towns.
Production on the Jenners’ Scenic Rim Lucerne farm has halved. Like many in South East Queensland, they had missed out on heavy rains that soaked other parts of the East Coast earlier in the year. Lake Moogerah, which irrigates the Fassifern Valley and the Warrill Valley, was at 13.6% capacity and dropping. Irrigators were allowed 30 percent of their allocated water.
“That will be running out soon,” Mrs Jenner said.
“There won’t be any allocation next year, unless we get some good rain.
“And it doesn’t look like we’re going to be getting that now.”
The Jenner’s continued to cultivate about half their 200 acres with lucerne, using water from a few bores they have on their land.
They thought about growing mung beans, but the promise of La Niña failed them. They were running out of both water and ideas.
Until old Russell went and did something a bit romantic.
“It all started when I bought Jenny three sunflowers from Woolies,” he said.
“We thought, hang on, why don’t we grow these?” she continued.
“We thought?” he laughed.
Regardless of who came up with it, both did their research and realised the idea was sound. Sunflowers are drought-hardy crops. The flowers can be sold as ornamentals, the kernels harvested as edibles and the plants ploughed back into the soil, pumping in potassium and other nutrients. In November they began experimenting with different varieties of sunflowers, including lilacs, mauves, oranges, red velvets and even ‘teddy bears’, which have no kernels. Then, earlier this year, they were ready to commit about 15 acres to their new crop.You could call it a pivot, but that is something of a sore point. The Jenners’ pivot irrigator is sitting idle above the young plants, as they don’t have enough water to run it. After planting the sunflowers, the couple saw what a stir they were causing on the other side of the Great Divide. They saw the success that Kalbar’s hay sculptures were having in building community spirit and drawing visitors. They’d seen an uptick in domestic tourism since Covid-19 closed borders. And they wanted to build on that.
“We thought, why don’t we have an open day?” Mrs Jenner said.
“We put the proposal to Kalbar Progress Association, and they ran with it.”
Plans for the day are still being finalised, but the idea is to kick things off with a sunrise in the sunflowers event.
Activities will run throughout the day, which will cap off with sundowners in the sunflowers. Here Richard Ousby will serve a three course meal of locally sourced produce.
If all goes well, it could be the first blossom of a new tradition.
“We’ll gauge how well it goes,” Mr Jenner said.
“And if everyone is keen, we might even make it an annual event.”
Success, though, may hinge on the sunflowers themselves. Currently, the fast growing crop is only a few inches high.
“We should have the flowers in flower by then,” Mr Jenner said.
“But there is a lot of pressure!”
Although, with a stunning view of the mountains of the Scenic Rim, there is always something to take a selfie of on the Jenner farm.
