What could be more magical than a selfie with thousands of blooms in a sunflower field? Native to North America, acres of the happy, bright yellow flowers can be found in Outagamie County and beyond. To catch a shot in these Instagrammable backdrops, hit the road and head to one of these farms!
Sunflowers bloom in Wisconsin typically in the late summer to early fall during July, early August. The season lasts for a very short time, only 1-2 weeks. Keep an eye on the farms’ Facebook pages and websites for updates.
We are on the verge of the season and farms will soon be ready to welcome you for some photo opportunities! Put these fields near the Fox Cities on your late summer bucket list!
READ MORE: 2023 Farmers’ Markets Across Northeast Wisconsin
Sunflower Facts
- They can grow up to fourteen feet tall!
- Seeds can be made into an edible spread called Sunbutter, a great substitute for peanut butter for nut-free lunches!
- The flower heads love full sun and track it through a process called heliotropism
- They are self-pollinating.
- A seed head actually consists of thousands of mini flowers.
- More than just cutting flowers, the seeds are used for sunflower oil, livestock feed, food for birds and squirrels, and of course, a delicious snack for humans.
Bergsbaken Farms
Bergsbaken Farms is a family-owned and operated functional farm growing corn, black oil sunflower seed, sweet corn, and more in Cecil.
- Distance: 40 miles / 50 minutes from Appleton
- Distance: 40 miles / 50 minutes from Oshkosh
- Distance: 30 miles / 35 minutes from Green Bay
The farm is hosting its Annual Sunflower Festival Friday, July 28th – Sunday, July 30th, 2023, from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is just $3 per person. They welcome you to bring along your favorite photographer for your family photos for an additional fee and do have some photo props on hand.
Event Features: Viewing platforms, wagon rides, bounce houses, face painting, pick your own sunflowers, live music, concessions, dog friendly.
- Bergsbaken Farms, W2095 County Road E, Cecil
Kelley Country Creamery
Kelley Country Creamery is a functional dairy farm with pastured cows and has award-winning ice cream, making this potentially the sweetest road trip on our list! You can enjoy your ice cream treat on their beautiful porch overlooking their hillside pastures after catching a peek of ice cream being made in through the viewing window in the ice cream parlor.
- Distance: 45 miles / 40 minutes from Appleton
- Distance: 25 miles / 30 minutes from Oshkosh
- Distance: 80 miles / 1 hour from Green Bay
Sunflowers Taking Flight starts Monday, July 24, 2023, through Sunday, August 6, 2023. This event supports Old Glory Honor Flights through flower bouquet sales, hats, and tee shirts. Note: Admission and all other purchases are cash only.
- Kelley Country Creamery, W5215 Co Rd B, Fond du Lac, 920-923-1715
Polly’s Pumpkin Patch
Polly’s Pumpkin Patch is a small family farm located just North of Chilton on Highway 57. It is a fun fall destination with activities all season long.
- Distance: 30 miles / 40 minutes from Appleton
- Distance: 40 miles / 50 minutes from Oshkosh
- Distance: 35 miles / 45 minutes from Green Bay
Polly’s added a sunflower field to the farm! There are 10 different stops along the sunflower paths for various photo opportunities.
Visit animals and take a ride down the slide, then refresh in the store with apple cider donuts and drinks. Saturday and Sunday hot dogs and grilled cheese are available for lunch.
2023 UPDATE: “As of July 19 we are unsure our field will be able to open this year due to no rain. Stay tuned, though. If we get some rain things may turn around!”
- Polly’s Pumpkin Patch, N4367 Highway 57, Chilton
Other Sunflower Farms in Wisconsin
- Babbette’s Seeds of Hope, Eau Claire
- Lannon Sunflower Farm, Menomonee Falls
- Oak Rest Farms Sunflowers, Burlington
- 2023 Update (Facebook): “Hello, Everyone, I know several of you have reached out to us. I apologize for my late response as we were waiting to see if we should open this year. Unfortunately, after careful consideration, we have decided it’s best not to open the family farm this season. Mother Nature didn’t provide us with the rain we needed this spring to produce our normal sized Sunflowers. Besides the lack of rain this year our family has been considerably inconvenienced with a city construction project in the right away in front of the farm. There has been a large dewatering projects which has been another significant strain on the water table for the Happy Field and the historical family farm. Our family doesn’t feel it’s safe to invite people onto our property with the narrow temporary driveway. Everyone’s safety is extremely important and it’s very hard to see around the equipment which we feel is a liability. We will miss seeing all of our regular families. Next year we will make sure to prepare the field to get those big beautiful flowers back. We greatly appreciate your support over the years.”
- Eugster’s Farm Market Inc, Stoughton
Drive-by Flower Spotting
- De Pere: Corner of Ridge Street and Main Street.
- Door County: HWY 57 in Door County in Institute.
READ MORE: Gardens In and Around Northeast Wisconsin
