The Sunflower Initiative 2024

The Sunflower Initiative

Thank you for taking a brave step in this new chapter of your life. This contest is to show students that careful planning and hard work pays off, whether it be in life, or in education.


Take care of your little sunnies and watch it bloom in 15 - 17 weeks. In this process, you will see how far a little dedication can take you, just like in your University career.


3 winners will be chosen to receive ONE $100 PRESTO voucher, and TWO $50 PRESTO vouchers. Please set a reminder for the deadline on Sunday, October 13th, 2024 (right before TMU Reading Week!!!) to submit a picture of your sunflower.


Send the picture to "community@greenbuffalofarms.com" with the subject line "The Sunflower Initiative 2024 - [YOUR NAME]".


Follow these simple instructions to keep your sunflower alive:

  • Water twice a day - Sunnies love their water, but giving too much water will cause puddling and you will drown the roots.

  • Put them in a sunny spot - Sunflower seedlings will always face the sun when they're young. Is that cool or what?

  • Transfer to a medium pot (4 - 5 inches in diameter) after the third set of leaves bloom - they'll grow taller and taller with more sets of leaves.


Seed to Harvest: The Stages of the Sunflower Life Cycle


The sunflower life cycle consists of many stages. First, a seed is planted in the soil. Then, after a couple of weeks, the first green shoots of a young sunflower will rise up from the ground.


Slowly but surely, the tiny plant will grow leaves, a bud, and eventually - after roughly three months - a golden flower. But that’s not the end of the sunflower’s story, not by a long shot.

Let’s take a look at the sunflower life cycle in a bit more detail, and discover what happens after a sunflower blooms...


  • Seed - One day.


The sunflower life cycle begins with a seed.


  • Germination - One week after planting.


Soon after they’re planted, sunflower seeds start absorbing moisture through their shells. As they soak up more and more water, their shells begin to crack open, as they’re unable to contain the extra moisture. The sunflower’s roots emerge first - their role is to stabilize the plant and absorb vital nutrients from the soil.


  • Seedling -Two to five weeks after planting.


Once the roots have absorbed plenty of water, a small shoot will make its way out of the ground. This tiny plant - known as a “seedling” - is made up of a thin stem and two leaves.


During this stage, as the stem grows taller and taller, the plant will grow many more leaves. The fledgling sunflower uses its leaves to absorb sunlight, which it turns into food via photosynthesis.


Seedlings are extremely vulnerable to environmental factors, such as extreme temperatures (high and low), lack of water, and insects.


  • Bud - Five to 10 weeks after planting.


Also known as the “reproductive phase,” this stage is when a small bud develops at the tip of the stem. At first, the bud will be closed, but over time it will open up to display the bright golden petals within.


Did you know that, during the reproductive phase, sunflowers physically move towards sunlight? It’s true - as the sun drifts across the sky, sunflowers will change position to make sure they’re getting as much sunlight as possible. This behavior - known as heliotropism - is how sunflowers got their name.


  • Full bloom - 10 to 13 weeks after planting.


After two to three months, sunflowers begin to flower. Typically, sunflowers stay in bloom for three weeks, but you might get a full month if you’re lucky.


At this stage, sunflowers are like a shining beacon for bees, butterflies, beetles, and a whole host of other pint-sized pollinators. Attracted by the vibrant petals, these insects come to drink nectar from the centre of the sunflower.


In the process, their furry bodies pick up pollen from the male part of the plant (known as anthers), which they carry to the next plant. There, the bees deposit the pollen onto the female parts of the flower (known as stigma), which fertilizes the plant and ensures that it’ll produce fruit and seeds in the future.


  • Wilt - 13 to 15 weeks after planting.


All good things must come to an end. At 13 to 15 weeks, the petals turn from bright yellow to rusty brown, and the head of the sunflower starts to droop.


  • Regeneration, or harvest - 15 to 17 weeks after planting.


During the regeneration (or reproduction) stage, the sunflower withers completely, shedding its seeds on the soil below. Some will embed themselves in the ground, some will scatter on the breeze, while others will be eaten by birds and squirrels. This process - known as seed dispersal - allows the sunflower life cycle to begin all over again.


*source https://www.twinkl.co.in/teaching-wiki/sunflower-life-cycle




1. Organizer

The organization and management of the contest is the responsibility of Green Buffalo Farms Inc.

2. Participants

The contest is open to all persons of legal age who meet the requirements specified in the contest rules.

3. Contest Mechanics

To participate in the contest, participants must follow the following instructions:

  • Follow the organizer's Instagram account @greenbuffalofarms

  • "Like" the contest post

  • Comment “SUNFLOWER”

  • Keep the sunflower seedling alive until the end of the contest


4. Participation Period

The participation period for the contest begins on August 26th, 2024 and ends on August 27th, 2024. Entries received outside this period will not be considered for the contest.

5. Prize

The prize of the contest will consist of:

ONE $100 PRESTO voucher, and TWO $50 PRESTO vouchers.

The prizes are personal, non-transferable, and cannot be exchanged for its cash value.

6. Winner Selection

The winner will be chosen by the organizer using a panel of judges from all participants who have met the contest requirements. The participant must submit a picture of the sunflower to show how much it has grown. Submission dates start on October 10th, 2024 to October 13th, 2024. The winner will be announced on October 14th, 2024 through a post on Instagram and contacted directly through email and/or phone call.
All entries are FINAL. The decisions of the judges are entirely their own and are final.

7. Communication with the Winner and Prize Delivery

The participant agrees that we may contact you via email or telephone to announce the winner and you consent to such contact. Further, you consent to receive such emails and/or phone calls at the email and/or telephone number you entered in your account. In the event that contact is not made within 7 days, another winner will be assigned.

8. Treatment of Personal Data

The personal data provided by the participants will be processed by the organizer in accordance with the provisions of the applicable regulations on the protection of personal data.

9. Modifications and Cancellation of the contest

The organizer reserves the right to make modifications to these legal terms at any time, provided that they do not harm the participants' rights. Likewise, the organizer reserves the right to cancel or postpone the contest in case of force majeure or unforeseen circumstances that make it necessary.

10. Liability

The organizer is not responsible for any possible damages, harm or injuries that participants may suffer during the development of the contest or as a consequence of their participation in it. Likewise, the organizer is not responsible for the improper or fraudulent use of the prizes by the winners.

11. Acceptance of the legal terms

Participation in the contest implies full and unconditional acceptance of these legal terms. Failure to comply with any of the rules or requirements set forth in these legal terms will result in the participant's exclusion from the contest.

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