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Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada

The agenda for this year's International Giant Vegetable Growers' Convention is now posted at: http://www.pumpkinfest.org/page.php?page=seminar

1/27/2011 11:20:49 AM

Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada

We are pleased this year to welcome Joe Ailts as a presenter of: “Science Behind the Giants”
Plant physiology and genetics are complicated scientific topics that have significant implications for successfully growing giant pumpkins. Often times, the most fundamental of these scientific principles remain shrouded in mystery, due to the fact that most grower enthusiasts do not have basic science backgrounds that allow them to grasp these concepts. There exists a disconnect between researchers who present/discuss scientific information related to the hobby and the grower audience who seeks to understand and apply scientific principles.

As a giant pumpkin enthusiast whose professional career entails communicating complex scientific principles in common lay person language, Joe Ailts will present fundamental principles of plant physiology and genetics. He will apply these principles to the hobby of growing giant pumpkins, through the use of visuals and analogies, with the intent to educate and facilitate further discussions pertaining to these topics. There will be a reasonable amount of time for interactive questions and answers to support audience interaction.

By attending this presentation the audience will become familiar with jargon associated with plant physiology and genetics and begin to understand basic mechanisms of plant nutrient transport, growth, and pollination/fertilization, as well as become familiar with the role genetics play in pumpkin growth.

Joe Ailts graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in biotechnology, with an emphasis in plant physiology. Joe has been growing Atlantic Giant pumpkins since 2000, having achieved a personal best 1422.5lbs in 2010. Joe co-founded the St. Croix Grower’s Association in 2005 and currently serves as the organization’s President. He resides in Deer Park, WI with his wife and three boys and is currently employed at NeuroScience, Inc as the Director of Medical Edu

1/27/2011 11:21:51 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Sounds great! Wish I could be there!

1/27/2011 12:53:47 PM

Massillon, Ohio

Yes....it sure does sound great! I'm looking forward to Joe's presentation. His explanations on the BP threads have been factual and presented in an way that was easy to understand.

1/27/2011 3:30:51 PM