What is Sow Seeds of Unity?
Sow Seeds of Unity is a grassroots movement dedicated to inspiring the American people to take action against the rise of autocracy and authoritarianism across the world through the symbol of the sunflower. All democracies are fragile and it is crucial that we work together to preserve the rights of citizens in our own country as well as abroad.
As the sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine and flowers have long been associated with peace, the sunflower is the perfect way to help Ukraine and anyone who is fighting against autocracy. It is a movement by the people, for the people! We would greatly appreciate your support and encourage you to spread the word to your friends and family.
Seeds of Unity recognizes the importance of the current presidential campaign in the United States for the future of America and the world. Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz represent a new way forward for America. With them, we're not going back to a time of division and animosity between fellow Americans. They represent the unity of the American people working towards the common goal of fairness and equality for all.
Senator Sherrod Brown, running for reelection to represent Ohio, is fighting to restore the dignity of work for all Americans. Vice President Harris and Governor Walz, like Senator Brown, believe in the rights of all American workers. They understand that when the American people work together towards a common goal, we all succeed together. When we fight, we win.
Seeds of Unity recently visited Waldameer Amusement Park, a family oriented amusement park in Erie, Pennsylvania. What we saw there is the real America - people of all ages, all races, all religions, all backgrounds many socioeconomic classes, and from countries all over the world. What we saw were people unaffected by the divisiveness, hatred, fear-mongering and falsehoods that are being portrayed about fellow Americans. We saw people with their picnics set out on tables unguarded, people unafraid of those around them and people peacefully interacting with each other regardless of their backgrounds. This is the real America, a new way forward, not a return to the past of misunderstandings, prejudices and unfounded fears. A step backwards into a world of hatred and fear-mongering allows the rise of autocratic leaders, not only in America, but all over the world.
Want to join the movement and pass out seed packets? Have an organization that can link with Seeds of Unity? Click the button below to contact us!
Continue reading for more information about who we are, our mission, why this movement is so important for the future of our country and the world, and how you can get involved.
Who We Are
Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24th of 2022 is the most recent sign of growing autocracy all over the world. As a young democracy, Ukraine is an ideological threat to autocratic leaders like Vladimir Putin. In recent years, other autocratic leaders, like Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, Xi Jinping of China, Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus, and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda have tightened their grip on their countries, crushing opposition, silencing dissidents, and destroying any semblance of democratic elections. Often, as they grow richer and more powerful, their citizens are left to suffer.
That is why Sow Seeds of Unity is aspiring to bring people together from all backgrounds across the United States to unite and stand against autocracy, starting with supporting Ukraine. Sow Seeds of Unity uses the symbol of the sunflower to symbolize the united hope of all who cherish the democratic ideals of freedom, justice, and equality.
With sunflowers sprouting all over neighborhoods across the country, people will recognize they're part of a larger community and movement. It is our goal to use the symbol of the sunflower to remind each other of the noble ideals this country and all other democracies strive to embody, and of the role that each one of us plays in maintaining the dignity and integrity of democracy, here and abroad.
The sunflower symbolizes adoration, longevity, and loyalty, qualities which are associated with its namesake, the Sun. Indeed, it’s scientific name is Helianthus annus, and it is well known for its heliotropism, meaning that it turns to face the sun. Thus, like the sunflower, we hope that together we can turn towards a brighter future.
The sunflower is native to the Americas, with over 70 diverse varieties and is known to thrive in a wide variety of conditions. The beauty of the sunflower is in the wide range of sizes, colors and shapes that the flower grows in the Americas. Despite these differences, all sunflowers are hardy, and resilient, but also vibrant and cheerful. Thus, we hope to remind U.S. citizens of the diversity in our country, and that vibrancy and resilience arises from that diversity.
Although the sunflower is native to North America, it has been grown in Ukraine since the mid-18th century and is so popular there that it has become a national symbol. Throughout Ukraine's history, the sunflower has been used as a symbol of peace. Sunflowers were used to mark Ukraine's complete nuclear disarmament in the 1990s after the fall of the Soviet Union and today, people around the world are using the sunflower to stand in solidarity with Ukraine as it fends off Putin's assault.
We hope that the symbol of the sunflower can be the start of a movement towards a more peaceful, free world, where all people are treated with the equality, fairness and dignity they deserve. We hope the movement and message of hope can spread through the planting and growth of sunflowers all across the country.
We must work together for the benefit of all and reclaim the freedom and dignity of democracy that the world has lost to the rise of autocratic leaders.
Plant a movement. Change the world.
Join with Sow Seeds of Unity
Getting Started with your Sunflower Seeds
Want to join the movement, but don't know where to start? Let us help you get your very own sunflowers seeds.
Planting and Care Instructions
Once you get your seeds, planting and caring for your seeds is easy. We can help you learn the best techniques to grow your seeds into beautiful sunflowers.
Become a lead advocate!
We need people to help us spread the message and plant a movement! So we are recruiting passionate leaders who want to make a change to help us distribute seeds all over the country! Click below to find out more about how you can join our team.
Share your Story
The movement relies on shared stories of inspiration and hope. Share your story of how sunflowers inspired you to get move involved in and promote unity in your community on our Facebook page! Please like and follow for more information about what you can do to plant seeds of unity.
Get Involved
Sow Seeds of Unity is a grassroots movement that is open to anyone to get involved in! All you have to do is contact us to receive your free packet of seeds and you can plant your own movement in your hometown. But the movement doesn't stop with planting a seed. Learn more about why it is more crucial than ever before to be involved in your community and aware of what is going on in our country. Find out how you can be a more aware and active citizen.