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The sunflower project has drawn an estimated 10,000 visitors in just one week.

The project, which planted 1.2 million sunflowers, is increasing tourism and boosting local businesses.

The harvested seeds will be used by Wilds Sonshine Factory in Kane to create spirits.

GIRARD — Cal Pifer was having dinner at Sara's Restaurant at Presque Isle on Aug. 11 when he heard people at the next table talking about the sunflowers in Girard.

Pifer is executive director of the Hagen History Center and planned the sunflower project, which planted seeds for 1.2 million sunflowers at the center's Girard campus this past spring. The goal was to reactivate the center's historic Battles Farm and bring new visitors to town.

It's working.

The project earned a 2025 Grassroots Advocacy

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