‘You Can’t Frown at a Sunflower’: Koelling Family welcomes visitors to annual Simply Sunflower Field Day
ORD, Neb. - For more than 120 years, the Koelling family has worked the same farmland about 10 miles south of Ord.
Like many operations across the state, the farm once focused on corn, soybeans and cattle. But a bright yellow crop is transforming both the family farm and the way they connect with their community.
The Koellings are fourth-generation farmers, with roots tracing back to Germany. Over the decades they’ve worked to balance production with conservation.
That’s how sunflowers entered the picture.
“We wanted to add something to build the soil rather than deplete it,” said Alan Koelling. “Sunflowers are actually a soil builder. They also help with weed control simply because of the timing and the type of rotation,” he added.
By planting sunflowers into rye stubble, the Koelling take advantage of the rye’s natural weed-controlling properties, reducing the need for herbicides while still producing a healthy crop.
Conservation crops after soybeans and off-season grazing for cattle are also part of the farm’s soil stewardship approach. “What it produces takes care of us,” said Alan. “So if we take care of the soil, it’ll take care of us.”
The sunflowers soon became more than just a conservation tool. Once the Koellings realized the market for sunflowers was limited in Central Nebraska, they decided to cold press the oil themselves.
“We discovered sunflower oil has cooking and other properties that are superior to almost all of the other oils as far as health-wise- It’s got 41% vitamin E," said Alan.
"We not only sell it as cooking oil, but also to soap companies and others who use it in their products,” added Jeanette Koelling.
Now their oil is sold in more than 1,200 stores across 20 states. Their daughter Sierra, the family’s marketing and sales director, has played a key role in expanding the business far beyond Nebraska.
While the business continues to grow, the Koellings say it’s about more than just sales- It’s about making the farm resilient for future generations.
“We hope we’ll be here for a fifth and sixth generation,” said Alan. “It’s gotten more challenging with higher technology and costs, so we look for things that make us more self-sufficient and regenerative.”
Sunflowers weren’t originally part of the family’s vision. Jeannette decorated her kitchen with sunflower motifs, but at the time, Alan wasn’t impressed. “He thought of them as weeds,” Jeanette laughed. “But these are different. They’re beautiful and they produce wonderful oil.”
The family also wants to share that beauty with others. Each year they host a Simply Sunflower Field Day, where visitors can walk the rows, take family photos and learn more about the crop.
The event includes tours, story time, and plenty of opportunities for pictures. Plus, every guest goes home with a bottle of sunflower oil, which is included in the $10 admission fee.
The sunflowers are only in peak bloom for about two to three weeks, which makes the timing of the event special.
In addition to the flowers, visitors may spot monarchs, honeybees, lacewings, and other pollinators that thrive in the pesticide-free fields.
“It’s one of my favorite days of the year,” said Alan. “It’s so fun to see people get away from their day-to-day hassles. You can’t frown at a sunflower!”
From soil health to smiles in the field, the Koellings say sunflowers have given them far more than they expected.
What began as a way to improve the land has become both a thriving business and a way to preserve the family legacy.
Full information on Saturday's event can be found here.