Ching LeeCalifornia Farm Bureau FederationDespite the continuing war between Russia and Ukraine, major seed companies are not turning their backs on farmers in the two nations. Ukrainian growers may still face considerable difficulty amid the conflict, but both countries remain destinations for California-grown seeds.That means California farmers can expect to produce contract seeds for the Black Sea region, including sunflowers, which remain a major crop in Russia and Ukraine. With more rainfall this winter, California sunflower acreage is expected to rise.Nearly all sunflowers grown commercially in California are harvested as certified planting seeds used by other farmers who grow the crop. Sunflowers grown elsewhere are most often used to make cooking oil by crushing the
