The sunflowers are finally blooming and Babbette’s “Seeds of Hope” sunflower maze could finally open this past weekend (Aug. 26-27).
The maze was created to honor Babbette Jaquish, who died in 2014 after a nine-year battle with multiple myeloma. It was established by her family, and is located on the family farm at W5725 State Road 85 in Eau Claire.
In addition to the maze itself, the farm features observation towers, antique tractors, hay rides and several photo shoot areas. New this year will be a picking patch and access to the equipment Babbette’s family uses to plant and harvest sunflowers as part of keeping alive her dream of a world without cancer.
The family has planted hundreds of acres in sunflowers, which Babbette loved. In addition to providing beauty, the sunflowers help raise money for cancer research and the support of cancer patients.
The sunflower maze is free but guests are encouraged to make a free will donation. Money collected at the farm will go to the Babbette’s Seeds of Hope Fund at the Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF).
The Jaquish family packages and sells the sunflower seeds, and a portion of those proceeds goes to support the fight against cancer through donations to hospitals, research and patient advocacy organizations. Seeds can be purchased through the project’s website at www.babbettesseedsofhope.com.
Online donations can be made through the ECCF website (www.eccommunityfoundation.org) or by mailing a check made out to “ECCF/Seeds of Hope” to the Foundation at 306 S. Barstow St., Suite 104, Eau Claire 54701.