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March 27, 2019

Love sunflowers? North Branford wants you to visit

PHOTO | allfreedownload.com
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

The town of North Branford is planting seeds to make itself a tourist attraction — for sunflower lovers.

Local leaders recently announced “Destination North Branford: The Sunflower Project,” which aims to establish the town as the place to go for sunflower-splashed scenery.

The North Branford Economic Development Commission and volunteers will distribute 500,000 free seeds in the coming weeks. Local families and businesses can get them at locations around town so they can start their own sunflower gardens.

Economic Development Coordinator Roger Salway said the main purpose is to attract visitors to North Branford.

“It is a rural community, and we have over 120 farms, many with farmstands where they sell vegetables and fruit,” Salway said. “We hope visitors will come to see the sunflowers, which will help build the economy. Hopefully they will shop here and go to our restaurants. We want to make it an appealing place for people to come, visit, shop and open a business.”

Elisabeth Caplan, commission chair, said North Branford is known as the sunflower capital of Connecticut. The town has already garnered a reputation for its sunflowers, with thousands coming each year to visit the local flower fields at Augur Farm and Cecarelli Farm in particular.

“We want to share the beauty of our sunflower fields and growing agricultural destinations — including our farm stands, farm wineries, farm breweries, farm-to-table restaurants and other attractions — with the rest of New England,” Caplan said in an announcement.

Officials are also planning to have sunflower-themed events throughout the year to promote agritourism and economic growth. The goal is to also beautify the town and attract native pollinators such as bees.

Salway said the town is grateful for the support for the project from local farms, businesses and residents. The Chas C. Hart Seed Co. in Wethersfield donated sunflower seeds for distribution, for example.

“The immediate overwhelming support from the business community and volunteers demonstrates our town’s passion for sunflowers and our agricultural business community,” Salway said.

Organizers have set up the pages “Destination North Branford: The Sunflower Project” on Instagram and Facebook, so anyone can see the latest on the projects and upcoming events and activities.

For more information or to get involved, contact Salway’s office at 203-484-1034 or email him at edc@townofnorthbranfordct.com.

Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com

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