An Elgin County woman has realized her dream of creating a sunflower experience unlike any other, which will soon open to the public. The 30-acre field of sunflowers is a concept come true for West Elgin resident Jodi Aldred. The 29 year old returned to the area recently, and within a few months, envisioned the concept … and the message for her project. “From the aerial view, you can see a bumblebee, and the word ‘kind,’” Aldred explained. The words match Aldred’s new vision in life, which she hopes to share with others, “I wanted it to be a space where people come, and they don’t worry about yesterday or tomorrow. I think the mission behind the patch is just to live for today. Choose joy and be kind. So that’s kind of the message we’re hoping to spread.” In total, an estimated 600,000 sunflowers are blooming in the field at 15677 Dunborough Rd. If you don’t stop, it takes about 20 minutes to walk the trails. But Aldred expects most will, including a select few who book in advance for a date night experience in one of five private open areas. “You can go to a restaurant any day of the week, but not every day can you drive out to the country and come and enjoy a sunset and sunflowers,” she said. As a young entrepreneur, Aldred hopes the fields she created in partnership with family and local businesses attract people to West Elgin. “West Elgin honestly lacks something to draw people. So, it is for people to come out, and it gives them a reason to come and enjoy the country.” The field opens on Friday, with all proceeds on Aug. 25 going to the Children’s Health Foundation.
