Wisconsin farmer plants over 2 million sunflowers to help bring joy during the pandemic

Let's be honest, 2020 has been a washout.

On January 1, it was all "new year, new me", but by the end of March, we were all really hoping that humans had the ability to hibernate.

However, despite ongoing pandemic, countless celebrity deaths, protests, and turbulent political climate, one farmer in Wisconsin was determined to bring some joy to his community.

Scott Thompson runs the for-profit family farm, Thompson Strawberry Farms, which usually allows guests to pick their own strawberries throughout the summer, or raspberries and pumpkins throughout the fall.

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However, as CNN reports, after the pandemic had such a negative impact on the people across the nation - and the world - Thompson and his wife decided they were going to try and bring a smile to the faces of their customers.

And running through ideas, the couple eventually decided to bring sunshine to people's lives through sunflowers - over 2 million of them.

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That's right, the Thompsons planted over 2 million of the bright flowers across 15 of their fields. In total, the sunflower fields span over 22 acres.

Now, customers are able to visit the farm and - while adhering to social distancing rule - stroll through the fields and pick any sunflowers they wish.

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Speaking to CNN, Thompson said: "We just did it... and we just kept building.

"As the season went on, the pandemic never went anywhere, and we thought people might be looking for something to do. And what a great way to social distance and... smile, basically."

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Over the 70 years the Thompsons have been running the farm, located in Kenosha County, this is the first time they have featured flowers.

Since the start of August, the farm has allowed customers to pick sunflowers by the dozen for $25 per car (up to six people) - an offer that is continuing to run through September

Additional flowers may be picked for an extra charge, and zinnias are also available to be picked.

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Photography sessions are also permitted in the Thompsons' fields, so long as visitors cover the cost of the clients and tag the farm in any social media posts.

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And the venture has been a great success, with Thompson telling CNN that people have traveled from both near and far to see the spectacular fields. One woman even claimed to have visited the farm from Chicago in an effort to escape the city.

Thompson said: "I'm just glad we get to have a business people are happy to come to - and get away from the city."

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And despite the fact the sunflower season will soon be coming to an end, Thompson did say that he's confident they will offering the sunflower experience annually.

"One of the things that's so cool about this is everyone is so happy," he said.

"We get all these comments on Facebook, or if I'm out in the field, everybody is like, 'Thanks for doing this,' [and] 'This is what I needed.'

"People are so happy to be out there and have a place to go."

Thank you, Farmer Thompson! You've spread a lot of joy across your 22 acres!