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Location

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Date Posted

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

When many of us first started growing pumpkins the weighoff sites were few in number and the prizes were relatively small compared to today. Now we have an increasing number of weighoff sites and sizeable prizes. Sites are competing for the larger pumpkins by offering bigger prizes. So now, we not only have growers competing for the big prizes and by weighing at several different sites but we have sites increasing the prizes to attract the bigger pumpkins. I don't know if this is good or bad. It used to be just about growing big pumpkins but now it seems to be much more. Am I wrong? Increasing the number of sites does, in my opinion, attract more people to pumpkin growing. Sponsors and seed raffle dollars provide the revenue for prizes but it seems to me there may be a limit. Will the availability of dollars for prizes ultimately limit the number of weighoff sites? Will the best sites relative to biggest weights be the ones most able to raise prize money? Should we be thinking about some limits? Limits on the number of sites? Limits on prizes offered? Limits to the number of contests a grower can enter? Who knows? I sure as hell don't but I wonder. Anyone else thinking about this or do I just have too much free time on my hands? I'd like to know what some of you think. Marv

1/12/2011 1:47:37 PM

Long Island,New York

Marv- No sane person would argue with me if I said my views were a little out of line with the average grower. That said I have always questioned the "we need to expand and get more and more and more growers involved". When giant pumpkins cease to be an oddity where will we be?

1/12/2011 4:00:01 PM

Hamburg, NY

"Anyone else thinking about this"

Marv,

For more than 30 years!

1/12/2011 4:40:52 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

I've read this post and then stopped, and thought, and tried to find out where I stand.

I have day-dreamed about a televised national competition. I think everyone from ESPN to HGTV to Discovery would be interested. On the other hand, I've also dreamed of having a simple weighoff that was populated with only the people in my hometown. I see great value in either situation.

Prize money is overrated.

I hope people will remember the joy in the journey. The best time is when we can get out in the patch on a perfect day and put our daily work in. Then raise your hands up to a beautiful blue sky, take a deep breath, and ponder how wonderful it is to be alive.

1/12/2011 5:32:10 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Ya you may have some extra time there Marv!!! It's all good! I'll never see any big prize money, but Tom wishes I do! Someday, maybe...... BSD, David

1/12/2011 6:59:42 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

My thoughtZ as well...I will never add money to my weigh off priZes fundZ aZ long as there ever there ever a WiZ there WaZ....because because because because.....BECAUSE>.....I believe that money corruptZ all....and besideZ....I would need to be equal to all my weigh off sites and we dont got that much $$$....SO....thatZ why WiZ sendZ out RMGVG rewardZ for thoZe who help us GROWZ'em BIG and help spread the pumpkin word....I know Im alittle bit of a hat wearing fool and a bit shy of center weight but thatZ why....we need to GrowZ'Em BIG and think outside the $$$ BOX on weigh offs. A bit off subject but:

I would like to see awards for every new State champ out there every year. If you break your state record and Grew it bigger, then darnit...it may not be enough for a coat.....but you need recognition at Niagara by your name being read....and a special patch that has your weight, state and something special on it for recognition or a certificate and a fancy patch....something. I love all you guys I see on stage every year but the same states continue......

1/12/2011 7:07:04 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

The North poleZ will have to realign before a grower in many challenged states will ever get close to getting a purty ORANGE GPC coat or a nice bomber jacket....we are gonna keep trying but......I would like to see additional recognitions to go out to challenged states as well....

I stay up late at night just thinking that I need to pak up and move before Ole WIZ will ever get a coat...At times to me it gets to be a bummer seeing someone with a GPC coat and a dozen recognition patches on it, and with our successes at ALTITUDE we cant get close......WE are just as far away as we were when Master Wallace broke the 1500 lb barrier from the WORLD record.......to grow our sport bigger...I think we need to include some how...recognition to thoZe who are not growing in the orange belt states but grow them BIG...For instance...grow one in WYOMING...for a challenge.....How bout at 6500 feet...?? or with Hail balls in Colorado....tornados in Kansas....HEat waves in Texas, New Mexico, AriZona...and all the other challenged states.........! Just my thinkin....SPread the world of the GrowZem BIG....

ThoughZ?

1/12/2011 7:07:10 PM

Polson, Montana

Wiz you are right we do start at a disadvantage; but still try. Its still pleases me that I can work through the problems and grow a decent pumpkin. I know that I will probably never grow a world champion, but I live in a wonderful place with mountains only 4 miles away. The view to die for. I'll take paradise over larger pumpkins. I came from the south but will never leave the west.

1/12/2011 8:33:43 PM

South Hero, VT

WIZ, the North magnetic pole is moving about 25 miles a year, your orange coat is only a matter of time.

1/12/2011 8:53:48 PM

Western PA

Marv, I would start off by saying I agree this stuff is getting out of control (Ex: Weigh-off prizes, auctions from nov. to mar., the ridicules prices of seeds,)

I personally grow strictly because I like growing, I could care less If I win one dime for finishing first place! give me a trophy, ribbon and a picture of me with my pumpkin and I would be as happy as a pig in sh$%.

The INFLATED seed prices are the root of it all. if the people don't pay ridicules amounts for seeds then the prize money will be lowered. first year seeds are not just being sought out by growers, but they are being marketed as the next big seed and the prices are being artificially inflated by this marketing.

There is no reason at all for a first year out unproven seed to go for triple digits.

Just my views.

Bash me If you want, but at least speak your opinion first.

1/12/2011 11:06:04 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I tend to disagree...the growth of this sport/hobby is (JMHO) on it's upcurve!!! Thanks to this site, more and more folks, (some serious, some not) are into AG's!!! Each and every year, more GPC weighoff's come into play, more and more folks bid on seeds!!! Which fund the weighoff's!!! As long as Ken D. can be funded properly, to purchase larger servers, I don't see an end to this growth in the near future!!! Will be a long time b/4 these incredible Orange (or other colors) Pkns/Squash will stop to be a source of amazement to adults & kids!!! The smiles from lil kids are "Priceless"!!! As is the Pride that grower's show, when they do well!!!
PPicker, no bashing here, but thinkin that as the pkn grows larger, the $'s get larger!!! Not that I like it, but it is what it is!! Peace, Wayne

1/12/2011 11:30:54 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

BTW, PPicker ... if ya would email me [email protected] I got a small gift that might put a smile on yer face!!!!! Peace, Wayne

1/12/2011 11:32:10 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Great points being made here. I don't have much to add, but am reading with interest.

1/13/2011 1:33:13 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Being out in the middle of nowhere, we need someplace to go to recognize the area growers.... some places there are several weighoffs over the season within three hours of a grower; that is a luxury. Limits on prizes... drive three hours at current gas prices dragging that lump, be nice to pay gas... seed prices, won't go there. Plenty are still circulating amongst those that have and those that want to grow.

You want recognition, look to your local group. I still do plan on locally issued patches; for local growers. Only way I'm getting a jacket or blazer is to sew my own, so. I'd rather do 'the walk' alongside what was in my patch yesterday and today is hanging on the forklift off the lift ring on the the way to or from that scale. Especially coming back and knowing the magic number, PRICELESS.

My .000002 cents worth.

1/13/2011 4:17:42 PM

New Zealand

in New Zealand growing giant pumpkins is a relatively unknown hobby. the very few folks who do grow mostly buy their seeds from american websites.... just like me.
we pay between $7 for three 800lber seeds to $50 for a 1400lber seed.
prize money in NZ is like $100 for first prize and a ribbon.
my question is after reading all your posts.... what do premium seeds cost and what sort of prize money is on offer in the USA?
just curious as we folks down under dont really have a concept of what is happening in the states.
cheers

1/15/2011 8:42:52 PM

Mass

Macivo, look at some of the auction results on the Seed auctions and raffle board posts to see what some of the seeds sell for. The GPC info page has info on weighoffs and prize structures.

1/16/2011 7:54:14 AM

Muddy Waters

This will end up a reality show before its over,It will get real Big without prize money it would go very very slow.That would be fine with me,but thats not reality.

1/16/2011 10:23:08 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I thought we already had our 15 min of reality show with the Hallmark Movie? 1880 Silver and all....

1/17/2011 12:06:12 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

I like the current direction the hobby is going. More and More people are taking an intrest in the weigh offs. esp. in Warren R.I. it seems that the weight off has been attracting people all over New England and the New York area. people love to see the heavy hitters take the stage. Its awesome to see people bring their families and enjoy the day.

1/17/2011 12:41:51 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Also, and has been almost a week, but just re-read the Wiz's original post!!!! and sorta agree, that maybe, possibly the GPC, could come up w/ some small prizes for each state champ, or new record setter per state!!! I realize what the GPC already does is incredible!!!! But, maybe ? Peace, Wayne

1/19/2011 12:19:00 AM