Have you ever driven past a sunflower field and felt an instant sense of joy? Sixth-generation farmer Derek Patrick bet on that feeling when he started his own sunflower farm called Sunflowers of Lisbon. Inspired by the movie Field of Dreams, his philosophy was simple: “If you build it, they will come.” And they certainly did.
Derek, who is a sixth-generation farmer, works full-time on his family’s dairy and grain farm, Maple-Dell Farm. While he enjoys working on the family farm, he wanted to create something of his own and this led him to sunflowers.
Eight years ago, Derek and his wife Jenny rented their first parcel of land in Lisbon and planted their first sunflower crop. Today, Derek farms about 60 acres of sunflower fields across three different locations: Woodbine/Lisbon, Maple Lawn and the newest addition in Glenwood, which opened in 2025.
Derek chose to plant Black Oil sunflowers for a number of reasons. “They are the most accessible and produce a classic, beautiful flower that visitors love,” Derek says. These sunflowers create a beautiful visual landscape with the fields in bloom from summer through fall, ensuring a long season for visitors to enjoy.
From the beginning, the couple envisioned the farm as an agritourism site. “I knew that in this part of western Howard County, people were going to love it,” he says. “And, they do!” The farm is a place where people can enjoy a day in nature. When the fields are in bloom, the farm is open every day from morning until dark. Visitors can cut their own flowers, walk through the fields and take photos in the golden blooms. Derek even sets up various props throughout the field to help people capture the perfect shot.
One of the best parts about the Patrick’s sunflower fields is the extended season. The three locations rotate, so there are almost always sunflowers in bloom. The first crop is typically ready by mid-June, with the last crop blooming in mid-October. There may be short gaps, maybe a week, as equipment is moved between fields.
“It may sound silly, but I like seeing happy people,” he says. “People have so much fun, it’s unbelievable. It brings so much joy.” It’s an experience that leaves a lasting impression on everyone who visits. As Derek puts it, “You can’t be mad at a field of sunflowers!”
Hungry for more? Read about another flower farm. More farms to visit.
