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Location

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Date Posted

Macomb County

I’d like a better understanding. I was under the impression clubs do all right through things like membership dues. I had no idea seed auctions were a vital source of revenue for them. I figured seed auctions were a source of extra revenue.

I, for one, would be happy to donate to more clubs, (in the form of joining and paying membership dues), if I knew they were hurting. Even if they’re too far away for me to attend their events.

As it is, this was the first time I heard about their struggles and resentments. Especially that seed is their only currency.

I don’t think there’s a grower on this site who doesn’t want all clubs to succeed. I would appreciate a better explanation, if someone is willing to provide one.

11/9/2011 2:03:27 PM

Southeast

Dues help. Lets say you have 100 members @ $20 each and your first prize is $1000 or $5000 for a big club. In that case you don't even come close to budget.

11/9/2011 2:28:01 PM

Stanwood, Washington

Its all a closed system. Clubs are funded by Seed Auctions but pretty much everyone who is paying big money for seeds at a seed auction is a club member as well. What is the point of doing fundraising if you are raising the funds from yourself? Seems like everything would be alot better off if clubs just supported themselves directly through membership dues and seeds were exchanged freely and inexpensively. This would be the best way to ensure that seeds get grown which is the best thing for the sport. Instead Seeds have become viewed as a sort of currency and you see people hoarding huge seed collections that they will never grow.

11/9/2011 2:59:35 PM

[email protected]

Many clubs make a large part of their income from seed auctions. For the bigger clubs the seed auctions are probably a bit less of a big deal yet still important. For many of the smaller/newer clubs they are vital to their survival. It should also be noted that many clubs have less than 100 members. That is why they are such a big deal.

11/9/2011 5:26:11 PM

South Hero, VT

The Vermont Giant Pumpkin Growers Association has @50 members, many of them not in Vermont. Our yearly seed auction is our primary fund raiser, and it wasn't until recently we decided to start looking into more ways to keep our mission on a sound track.

I would be interested in hearing how other clubs raise money other than seed auctions.

We are doing fine financially right now, and we want to keep it that way in the future.

11/9/2011 6:03:19 PM

Muddy Waters

Sell your fruits at the end of season,Ive done it for years,You can get up to a 1$ a pound for kins,Big imported veggie markets,classy greenhouse's,wealthy people who spoil there kids.list goes on & on.You have all spring & summer to find buyers,its not hard if you try.They will let you take seeds they dont have a use for them.

11/9/2011 8:25:32 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

HJ, first time I saw any evidence of yer report was at Allardt this year!!! Never had one of these folks at BWF!!! This guy bought several 300-500 # pkns, and more than several Melons!!!! He said that he runs a Chef's show in Chicago, and needed stuff for the Chef's to carve!!! He had a BIG old truck, and was still loading stuff when I left!!! Jack, & HJ...would be sweet, to have someone like this at BWF!!! But, not sure if anyone there would sell their Pride & Joy!!! Peace, Wayne

11/9/2011 8:49:58 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

GJ, our lil club has no membership fees!!! We pay out every $ we get thru our seed auction (here on bp.com) every year, at our lil weighoff at Bear Wallow Farm!!! Of course some of the $'s go to rental fees, for scales, and tow motors & our GPC fees!!!! Running a weigh-off is not Free!!! Peace, Wayne
ask again, and i will certainly give you more details!!! I think I can convince our auditor, to send you a copy of our expense report, that includes every $ ever gained, or spent from our lil club!!!! 5 Years!!!

11/9/2011 8:58:47 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

Captain 97, I agree with you about seed hording. I posted something about it and got nailed by about 20 people. Many of them came at me personaly. I still remember who they are and will remember that for a long time. I got seeds from a seed drive and couldn't possibly plant all the seeds there. I gave them away to growers that where willing to plant them. It all comes,down to this. If you bought a seed uou do what you want with it. i'm sure if clubs could support themselves through memberships,then they would. If they can't them don't have a huge winning prize. Personally i'd drop the cash prizes and find another way to reward the grower. Maybe with a bunch of donated garden ammendments from corperations.

11/10/2011 8:10:58 AM

Macomb County

Thanks everyone, I've got a much better picture now!

11/10/2011 4:34:30 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Handy, I wouldn't sell mine. I got offers this year from the local farmers market after the Post did an article. Having a display is too important to me. And, I had my display in my back yard cause I am paranoid so nobody really even saw it. lol. I just sit back there with a few beers, stare at it and say "yep, I grew those".

11/10/2011 6:33:26 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Email me Jack, Ill send you my club newsletter, better yet, down load them from

www.ColoradoPumpkins.com

Over 100 fantastic members now. What once was only one pumpkin over 1000 pounds now has grown to a Jareds site last year that their top 10 average was over 1000 lbs. Those club members did it. Over 6000 spectators this year at Jareds our first weigh off site 6 years ago when the closest one was Anamosa Iowa before.
Four new state records last year, 2 this year. 4 out of the 5 years Dave Stelts has told me in Niagara....sorry Wiz...yoru sites came in second for The Most Improved Site Award...And like Jeff on survivor.....we got nothing for yah!...lol

I thank all those who have helped me grow this club, and most of all.....Ron (Yoda) and PapZ (Darth Vader) Wallace
whom I have modeled the RMGVG after.....Eddy, and so many others too.

Over 7000$ spent on purchasing club teeZ alone.......YO! And we arent done! Till someone in Colorado and the challenged states.......getZ a coat!
Proud to be a Rocky Mountain Gaint Vegetable Grower, and I hope the members are too....

http://giant.coloradopumpkins.com/2012ClubMembershipPromotion.pdf

11/10/2011 6:48:16 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

A sad week Wiz...no response from Giant Jack!!! LOL Peace, Wayne !!! Hopefully some, w/ a better picture will realize what a great job you are doing with the Rocky Mountain GVG group, and join up!!! Peace, Wayne
PS...Luke...Sweet!!!

11/15/2011 3:06:30 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Captain, it would be neat to have it happen that way!!"Seems like everything would be alot better off if clubs just supported themselves directly through membership dues and seeds were exchanged freely and inexpensively." Just quoted you, and hope this helps!!! Here in Kentucky, we have no club (dues or fees), just invite everyone to our lil weighoff!!! We have NO funding thru club dues or fees...also have NO sponsors!!! We survive w/$'s generated thru our seed auction/s!!! Yes we now have a couple, I guess!!! One for the weighoff, and a back corner one to help raise funds for our Growers Seminar!!! We are a small group, that has dun well!!! Thanks to auctions here on bp.com!!! Kudo's to Ken D. for helping us GROW!!! Peace, Wayne

11/15/2011 11:59:10 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

btw, over 100 folks atteneded our growers seminar in 2/11!!! Not bad for us!!! We are Proud, and will "hopefully" get it dun again...Feb,2012!!! Stay tuned...am hearing rumors...of REAL HEAVY HITTERS!!! To be speakers at KGPG Growers Seminar in 2/12!!!
PS...shop at Tom's site, order stuff...no shipping charges if you pick it up at the seminar....if Tom agree's to haul it awl to KY!!!! Again!!! BIG ASS TRUCK LOAD!!! LOL
PPS. no disrespect meant to any of the speakers at the 2011 seminar!!! Hopefully the soil ammendments, will be available again also!!!! Tuns!!!! LOL Humic & Kelp?

11/16/2011 12:14:36 AM