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Wallingford,CT

earn a specific merit badge." "The GPC should look into this. I'm sure that there is a whole lot more folks out there pretty irritated with this current set up that favors only those who just happen to live in the "sweet spot" areas. This is an outstanding time to really promote the GPC and addressing this issue would defiantly be a major step in the right direction to do so. " One that I thought was really off was from some one in NY that stated he thought the jacket policy was fair and that there will be some unhappy people. Well, if it is all fair and square for all growers who are the unhappy people and what are they unhappy about? This gets better. My husband passed on a Niagara convention story to me. That at the awards night they did award all of the 1400 pound growers a 1400 pound club patch. I could not figure out why at first. Not a f****g peep about this anywhere that this was happening. So about half of these growers will put their patch on their jacket and the other half will have a nice coffee mug coaster to use. There was a post from someone in Ontario that nailed it. He or she said, "Maybe the rule should read the "current" world record of the previous year then everyone would know what goal they are shooting for." The problem is, that IS what the 2009 AWARD RULES ALREADY STATED. "Grower Jacket & Patches Awarded to the growers who are in the current top 300 Pound weight Class, as compared to the EXISTING world record" It said what it said, anything after that does not matter. NO translation needed here. EXISTING means EXISTING, NOT what may or will be. So when those jacketless 1400 pound club growers finally grow a 1500 pound pumpkin do they get a 1500 pound patch so they can have matching coasters?

8/2/2010 6:46:02 PM

Las Cruces NM

Well, they are right that 1400lb pound patches shouldn't have been given out in 2009 as they should have been 1500lb patches. 1400lb patches/jackets should have only been given out in 2008 and 2007. But it doesn't really say above for what year the 1400lb patches were given out? In anycase, the bylaws state: These officers have sole empowerment to make and implement any rules, bylaws, or direction they feel necessary to uphold the ideals of the GPC. So they would be empowered to give out 1400lb patches instead of 1500lb patches. BTW, current GPC rules say (and quite simular to last years):

Grower Jackets & Patches: Awarded to the growers who are in the current top 300 pound weight class, as compared to the world record of that year. For example, if the 2010 world record is 1850 pounds, jackets will be awarded to growers of pumpkins 1600 pounds and up. If the record stands at 1725, growers of pumpkins 1500 pounds and heavier will be awarded jackets. A grower will only be awarded one jacket; in following years patches will be awarded to the grower to add to their jacket with the same weight class requirements. These patches will denote the weight class achieved for that year.

So bart, that letter was from a whiner, and there's going to be some ... Just have to let the old dogs lay -- FIDO!

8/2/2010 9:20:01 PM

Ohio

I received that letter also,(snail mail) about a anonymous person saying hes getting the shaft. Its funny how its just one person that is doing the complaining and not one person that I know of is backing him.


Things are never going to be perfect and you cant make everyone happy, thats never going to happen. But I do have to say this for the men/women around the world who donate their ''FREE'' time to ''TRY'' and make things as fair as they can, I think they do a hell of a job. Keep up the good work.

8/2/2010 10:40:26 PM

Fresno, CA

I didn't even realize there was a patch system for this. I thought the great thing about growing a 1,400 pound pumpkin was being able to say the words, 'I grew a 1,400 pound pumpkin'.

8/2/2010 11:37:44 PM

Rhode Island

this is not little league. everyone does not get a trophy just for showing up.1,400 pound club is still a great accomplishment jacket or not.

8/3/2010 6:59:28 AM

Somers, CT

"this is not little league." Dick, you mean the parents don't fight?
I would just ignor it. I say, if he wants to hit from the blue tees, he may have to move north if that is where he thinks the biguns are grown.

8/3/2010 7:49:10 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I got the 'last year's letter' with 10 copies of maps and such to 'pass on' and I got two copies of 'this year's letter', one was directed to our weighoff.

I don't ask for coddling, I'm in an area where competition AG's are extreme growing. I live HERE and I grow HERE. If someone feels there is injustice then look to your own club IMO.

About the 1400# 2009, patches... I thought it rather nice and generous they did hand them out.

I can now make patches, our club is considering issuing patches to OUR members AND to winners in OUR weighoffs... I may never wear the Orange Blazer, but I can wear one of OUR patches with pride. Is THAT self serving? I don't think so.

This isn't a playground, this is the real world. A lot of hard work by a lot of people have gotten the system to where it is now.

Moral: the system tries to be fair. I think they're doing a good job, taking everything into consideration. If you feel you're out of the running--work/grow differently, MOVE, or quit growing.

My .000002 cents worth.

8/3/2010 8:42:40 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

The reward is growing a big pumpkin. You cant take that from anyone. The friendships and personal connections have been worth it. I don't need anything to tell people what i've grown. I to grow in an area of the country where we have heavy hitters. I'm a minnow in a tank of Whales. Even though i'm a small player I still get treated like I'm a contributor. What I have seen is the so called wanna be and have nots, they become the heavy hitters and World Champs. Then people send bubble packs asking for their seeds.

8/3/2010 9:41:55 AM

Washington

Jack and I got the letter several days ago. The person referred to only those who live in the 'sweet' spots would be able to grow these giants that big. Maybe we need a 'sour grapes' award too! LOL Sherry

8/3/2010 12:32:26 PM

Rhode Island

sherry
all i know is somewhere theres a village missing an idiot.
a grower passed that remark on to me and it seems fitting for someone who would put this much work into a sour grapes campain.
if they put that much effort into growing they migh actually get a jacket at some point?
pap

8/4/2010 7:01:30 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Are we growing these things for a Jacket or the enjoyment of growing them...really this person needs to get their priorities straight.

8/4/2010 1:25:52 PM

Redmond, Washington; U.S.A.

Unfortunately, I got the letter sent to me the other day also. I am still just hoping to break 1,200 lbs. this year. I just read it and tossed it. It was rude.

8/4/2010 9:22:09 PM

New Brunswick

Got this letter today. So there are still some out there. Someone went to a lot of trouble and expense for there foolishness. Why bother the rest of us.

8/5/2010 5:04:07 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Walking that scale bender along on a forklift ride, priceless.

Putting a toddler down next to a pumpkin that's coach sized, priceless.

Being THE place to visit for halloween and everyone needs to stand with the carved behemoths on the trailer for pictures in their costumes, priceless.

Oh yeah, I got a plaque and a ribbon too. Kewl.

Meeting other growers at the weighoff, priceless.

Who needs this letter campaign?
Gitcher perspective back, mon!

8/7/2010 11:47:26 AM