Beaver Dam Farm Sunflowers Newsletter Excerpts

Greetings and Happy New Year. Our first batch of seeds that were planted on July 14, 2020 were harvested on December 28. We had a bountiful crop this year and seed production doubled from last year. Here are a few photos from the harvesting process. Once clean they are bagged, sealed and labeled with our labels. We stack 48 bags to a pallet and shrink wrap them so they can be delivered to all of our distributors. If you are looking to purchase seed it will be available after January 11 in 20 pound bags for $15 at Northwest Hardware locations, Ikenberry Orchards in Daleville, The Best Place Antique Store in Buchanan, Rockingham Coop in Troutville and Brughs Mill Country Store in Fincastle.

Vendors:

Interested in participating in the 2021 Sunflower Festival? Our application process is looking a little different this year. You may apply by sending us an email for the app or messaging us on Facebook for the link. All items must still be hand made.

Monaghan is one of 40 under 40 in Roanoker Magazine

Candace Monaghan, 38 / Designer/Owner, Candace Monaghan Fine Art & DesignCandace Monaghan earned her Associates Degree in Communication Design from Virginia Western Community College, and has owned her own design business for the last 13 years. Also known in Botetourt for her Paint Nights and Children’s Art Camp, she has painted 17 of the well-known Hokie birds throughout the New River Valley, and was a Small Business of the Year nominee in 2019. Most notably, she created the Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival on her family’s farm in 2016, which has since grown to over 20,000 visitors from over 22 states in two weekends in 2020. It has become the largest artisan and sunflower festival on the East Coast, and includes handmade crafters and food vendors, as well as 21 acres of black oil sunflowers with hayrides, photos, farm animals and kids’ activities. From the Nomination: “She keeps payroll and completes bookkeeping for her family owned farm in Buchanan. … She creates and designs printed materials such as logos, stationary packages, magazines, brochures, etc. … In 2015 her Dad decided he wanted to grow some sunflowers on the family farm and she brought a vision to life in 2016 when the Beaver Dam Sunflower Festival was born … She finds beauty and art in everything and she shares her love with others. She educates and shares her artwork with others and is very involved in the community. As you venture around Botetourt County you never know where you will find her work.”How does your passion impact our community?Monaghan: “I love bringing people together and making them smile! By opening up our farm in September and having thou-sands out to see the sunflowers I am able to do just that. It is a welcomed breath of fresh air for people of all ages.”

First Scholarship Awarded

n 2019 the first Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Scholarship was awarded to a JRHS graduate that was pursuing an education in an agriculture related field. James River and Lord Botetourt High School seniors are encouraged to apply. This scholarship was started as a way to remember and pay tribute to the past, present and future farmers of Beaver Dam Farm. Students can check with their guidance office or email us at BeaverDamSunflowers@gmail.com for the application.  Applications are due April 1, 2021.

www.beaverdamsunflowers.com for the entire newsetter

Submitted by Candace Monaghan, Photo by cathy Benson