A celebration of five decades of sunflower growing is a good chance to ‘‘stop and smell the flowers’’, Topflite co-owner Pete Mitchell says of their first open day in nearly 50 year, to be held this Sunday.The sunflowers, grown by Rosedale Farming Company Ltd, have become an annual attraction in the Waitaki district.
In 1974, the Mitchell and Webster families planted the first sunflowers at Rosedale Farm, on the corner of Thousand Acre and Springfield Rds, for their fledgling pet food company.
‘‘We’re acknowledging over 50 years of growing bird seed in North Otago and the generational journey,’’ Mr Mitchell said.
The four Topflite owners — Pete and Sandra Mitchell and Greg and Caroline Webster — had been keen on the open day for a long time, with the last one held nearly 46 years ago by Mr Mitchell’s parents Ross and Ainslie Mitchell.
‘‘Mum and Dad did it years ago to raise money for the Western Progress League and we chose the Stroke Foundation because Dad suffered a stroke when he was 72; he’s now 85.’’
Jules Chin
