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Sunflowers Represent Growing Profit Potential for Farmers

Researchers recently unlocked the genetic code of the plant to help locate the specific genes that control self-pollination. (Photo by Amy Mayer, Harvest Public Media)
Researchers recently unlocked the genetic code of the plant to help locate the specific genes that control self-pollination. (Photo by Amy Mayer, Harvest Public Media)

We are proud of our sunflowers here in Kansas. They are beautiful and the seeds are tasty and nutritious. But sunflowers are also a global commodity crop with a growing demand, though they’re currently a minor player in the United States. Researchers have unlocked the genetic code of the entire plant, which could lead to better hybrid seeds—making sunflowers even more appealing to farmers. Harvest Public Media’s Amy Mayer reports.


Learn more about this story -- and discover other stories affecting the rural Midwest -- at HarvestPublicMedia.org. Harvest Public Media is a reporting collaboration focused on issues of food, fuel and field. Harvest covers agriculture-related topics through a network of reporters and partner stations throughout the Midwest.