As the name implies, The Wild Sonflower features thousands of pristine sunflowers. But there is also yarrow, feverfew, rudbeckia, snapdragons, strawflowers, statice, cornflower, cress, zinnias, and other bright beautiful blooms. 
And between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily, the Jane Lew flower farm is open for your picking pleasure. It’s all a labor of love with owner Tasha Cronin in the driver’s seat.
“I’ve always loved flowers and I like sharing them with everybody,” said Tasha, mother of two “wild sons,” 5-year-old Lane and 2-year-old Eli. “When we went to New York, I discovered a sunflower U-pick farm with all kinds of booths set up and I thought it was so neat, that I needed to do this at home.”
Home is the farm that has been owned by her husband Michael’s family since 1931. The Cronin Angus Farm is the main operation, but Tasha managed to talk her father-in-law into sacrificing part of his hayfield for her flower venture.
Last summer was somewhat of a trial run, but this year she is in full swing, and visitors are loving it. She grows everything from seed, starting her plants inside during late spring. In addition to the flower 
meadow – likely the inspiration for the name of the family’s lab puppy “Meadow” – Tasha has a flower shop where she dries flowers and will soon hold classes.
meadow – likely the inspiration for the name of the family’s lab puppy “Meadow” – Tasha has a flower shop where she dries flowers and will soon hold classes.Upcoming special events include a July 26 cookie decorating class with The Artful Bakery, LLC and a July 29 Kids’ U-Pick, which also includes a scavenger hunt, flower pot decorating, sunflower planting, barrel train rides, and s’mores. On Aug. 3, the farm will host a canvas paint class with Ember Arts featuring a cow and sunflower painting. Follow The Wild Sonflower Facebook page for details and registration.
Just starting this past week were Golden Hour U-Pick opportunities.
“I’m taking reservations. Groups can have the field to themselves from 6-9 p.m. and we’ll have a firepit and s’mores kit You can make your own bouquet, take as many pictures as you want, and just hang out,” Tasha said.
Chairs and table and picnic blankets are provided for enjoying food and beverage, brought by Golden Hour U-Pick visitors.
On nights reserved for Golden Hours, the farm will close at 6 p.m. rather than 8 p.m. Updates are provided on The Wild Son Flower Facebook page.
Tasha, who works as a full-time nurse at United Hospital Center, also owns a trailer which she has recently taken to Clarksburg Farmers Market and a Pop-Up Party at Market on Main in Bridgeport.
“It’s also available for rent for people to use at their own events,” she said. “Depending on the situation, I can come and do the bouquet bar or they can price it out depending on how many people are expected to be there and I can cut a bucket of stems and set everything up.”
U-pick price is $25 per cup with credit/debit card, PayPal, Venmo and cash accepted. Sunflowers can be included in bouquets or customers can purchase them for $2 per stem. On Golden Hour U-Picks and some special events, mason jars are provided rather than plastic cups. Garden snips are provided for use.
The Wild Sonflower is about 25 minutes from Bridgeport. Take the Jane Lew exit off I-79, turn left onto Hackers Creek Road, right onto Life’s Run Road, then a right turn into Cronin Farm.
Julie Perine can be reached at 304-848-7200 ext. 2 or julie@connect-bridgeport.com.
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