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Rhode Island

a good previous post that marv made regarding where the hobby is heading.
there certainly has been been a mini explosion of more clubs, more weigh-offs, more auctions and seed promotional packages over the last ten years.

personally i think a very large portion of the reason for everything he discussed, larger weigh-off prizes-- amount of club seed auctions--club seed sales etc, can be attributed to one area------communication.

the internet, this big pumpkins site and three how to publications by don langevin are the three biggest reasons why the hobby is where it is today.

information sharing, seeds requests, auctions on line, club seed promos advertized (for free in most case ) via the general discussions posts, etc,all contributed.
if there were no seed sales, seed promos. seed auctions, seed swaps,all of which raise a lot of funds for many many clubs?, then in most cases there would be no growth.
we would be on a stagnated low level, information starved group that we had in the seventies, eighties and part of the ninties as well.
in answer to marves post. i dont see anything ending anytime soon. clubs that want the biggest pumpkins will still want the biggest prize schedule. the top seeds will continue to demand big bucks as long as growers new or old have disposable income to play with.
if anything at all i see certain growers selling their seeds in the future rather than giving them away for the cost of a bubble pack. again its supply vs demand here as well.
thats just the way its heading

pap

1/13/2011 8:23:58 PM

Massachusetts

true, pap, if not for this site, i would still be buying my "giant pumpkin seeds" from lowes or home depot, if not for people like you, i would not have the great seeds to grow, trade, or help someone else into this great hobby! if not for all the growers out there giving their seeds away, and great people that i talk to on this site i would be lost on how to grow these giants!
i hope the sport of growing ag's continues to grow! and grow!..,scott

1/13/2011 8:59:23 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

pap, & Scott...as previously posted...I agree!!! (I Think) We are because of what we do as a group, on the upside of the curve!!! pap, I hope yer awl seeing eye (growers selling their seeds in the future rather than giving them away, does not see truly)!!! Although, we are seeing some of that already!!! Best wishes to the future of this incredible sport, Hobby? Peace, Wayne

1/13/2011 11:15:03 PM

3 acre corner in Whittaker,Mi USA ([email protected])

Pap...you hit the nail on the head. Growth and change seem to be an inevitability that we all must adapt to. Where is this hobby headed 10 years from now....who knows! Personally speaking, I've gained more friends and treasured memories with my family as well as new friends than any notoriety or top prize money could ever compare to!! The journey through life is always more cherished than the culmination of its entirety...anonymous.

(I still would like the grow the biggest punkin in the world at least once though!!haha). Erik

1/13/2011 11:26:05 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I think this website, and the willingness of everyone to share, whether it be information (answering questions, links, etc) or seed or what have you... that is the biggest step forward.

It'll be interesting to see where things go...

1/13/2011 11:40:18 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Darth PapZster...I agree with you.....

The internet and this great site haZ done wonderZ for the growth of our hobby...handZ down....Great seedZ and sharing the wealth of information has continued to pay off in bigger weightZ and greater overall successes as we embrace the information technology before us.

Wont be long when the Ole PreZidente SteltZ twitterZ us all from the UK....lol..... Oh I can see it in two yearZ...once magnetic north settles ..... WiZ tweetZ....2000 lbs...I did it!! AN orange jacket........lol

SeriouZly....If not for the seed auctions the RMGVG would not have been able to GrowZEm BIG and send out all thoZe tee shirtZ and cupZ to thoZe who helped us grow into a BIG time growing club....I thank All thoZe who helped us to do so. And in turn thoZe great growers have sent me great genetics to once again auction here in late March. With thoZe funds we will continue to grow forward, and give the club more optionZ to put smileZ on more faces. Allow WiZ more expouZure...Oh Yeah...

Supply and demand, demand and supply....the free enterpriZe and freedom iZ what has made thiZ country great.....We dont need more ruleZ and regulationZ..can't WE police ourselves? I have met so many great people off this site...just yesterday I got a wooden pumpkin....from Kennythe Heat......

1/14/2011 2:08:54 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Cant tell you how much that made my day...What comeZ around...growZ around....ThankZ K!

4 H clubZ now contacting WiZ wanting seedZ....I gottem for them... Garden CenterZ wanting growing classes,,,doing that....Emails from New Mexico wanting to hold their own weigh off this year...thereZ even more coming.....

When I started the RMGVG I paid for everything out of my pocket....why? because the passion is there.... sitting dormant......the desire to grow...and spread the word...Seed auctions threw pure oxygen on that fire....and BP stoked the flameZ.... and good deedZ like what KennytheHeat did for me, or Dennis did on christmas Well....just......blowZ me away and stokeZ the fire fire more.....I just wish I could spend my entire time dedicated to growing this hobby.....Cant rest until everyone wearZ a GrowZem BIG on their back....and drinkZ from a GrowZem BIG mug...

1/14/2011 2:18:57 PM

Redmond, Washington; U.S.A.

All the people Here on this post and all of the rest of the BP community are tops in my books. Anyone who knows me knows I will talk pumpkins for days. I have so much fun growing the big ones. The people BP are the best. And also finally yes, the auctions helped save our PNWGPG club. But also I never forget that it is people like our GREAT President Ron Barker, also Wiz & Pap and the rest on this post and ALL the volunteers that make the weigh-offs happen when the buck hits the blind. Go Seahawks.

1/14/2011 9:41:47 PM

milford, CT,

Pap,..I agree that it is inevitable that selling seeds is coming..BUT..I am going to miss meeting the person who GAVE me a seed I requested and being able to thank them for their generosity and bragging about how they helped me. That same conversation doesn't have the same depth if you have to spend hundreds of dollars to get the seed. I personally am not looking forward to losing the friendly trading of seeds and the friendships developed. "The best things in life are free"

1/15/2011 3:07:15 PM

Rhode Island

i agree. ron and i have helped and been helped by seed sharing shown between friends and strangers alike.

we always believed that when at all possible and when asked if you have it to spare then fill the request. there are still many, many growers who will do likewise for sure.

some seed bubblers will of course hoard or re-trade but they are in a minority.many will plant what the yask for.

look at all the generous growers who when asked have donated seeds for many years now for my annual oaf "coats for kids " seed promo sale.

where would this charity be without these friends and their contributions of potentially valuable seeds.

pap

1/15/2011 4:03:46 PM

South East

I wonder pap, where is the hobby heading? promoting the hobby of growing giant pumpkins? what do we want it to grow in to. Olympic? a proffesional division? what is this hobbys potential? Every second home in the US growing an ag?

Or should it be just a hobby for people who like to garden? a personal quest for the biggest one you can grow. A family affair that creates new friends and helps you grow yourself.

Maybe this hobby shouldent grow, but stay like is. A self regulating community with its own unwritten codes and morals, for the little guy who likes to spend time in his garden.

1/20/2011 10:29:03 PM