Sunflowers in Peril This Year | Kansas City News

This year’s sunflower season in Kansas is under siege—extreme heat and drought are slashing the bloom window from weeks to just days at Grinter Sunflower Farm near Lawrence. Farmer Ted Grinter warns pests are accelerating damage, turning petals into targets faster than ever. After years of turning a biodiesel experiment into a beloved tourist destination complete with bakery and art gallery, the farm still thrives on community joy—even amid crop struggles. Visitors are urged to respect the fields by donating and cleaning up after pets. While Grinter’s patch may be shorter this year, other Kansas spots like Hunsinger Patch and Red Barn Acres offer alternatives with their own admission policies. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/b54660f9b5fc30c3