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Princeton Kentucky

The short time I've been here I've noticed a few posts of participation drop and this may be due to growing conditions and the general economy blah blah's. I saw where in Ohio a post of canceling an event due to lack of grower participation. Would it be possible in these areas (If Needed) maybe someone who represents the GPC and or just area growers could cordinate with local Agriculture departments (AG Classes of High Schools) to get the Students entrested in A G growing, maybe give a short lecture of the Hobby and weigh off events and prizes and even hand out seeds to the intrested students. I feel this could even spill over to competition between rivaling schools to come to the GPC weigh offs. I'll just bet alot of students and parents would go for it and enjoy it. Schools just love a reason to say their better than thee other school, lol. Just an Idea to fill the Air..I feel this could be impleminted in Any Town World Wide easily. .You can tell me to shut up now, lol..... Excuse me while I go and buy some stock in the Atlantic Dill Growing Industries, lol

9/26/2012 11:31:38 AM

Lexington, Ky

Ironically, there's some big money up for grabs at a new Ohio weigh off that same weekend....let's see how much grower participation shows up.....LOL. It's becoming more and more about the money my friend. I would like to see the weigh offs spread the payout money down...it's too top heavy in my book (First thru Third). The same guys win the same 5K (insert amount) year in and year out.

Good ideas though Joseph, you're heart is in the right place.

9/26/2012 12:56:50 PM

canal winchester ohio

If your referring to new Bremen canceling because of Hamilton weighoff that really doesn't hold water. New Bremen was this Sat and Hamilton is next Fri and are taking previously weighed pumpkins so they would in no way overlaped

9/26/2012 1:30:31 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

1320,

Your point is well taken. Clubs on one hand want to attract the largest pumpkins they can to their weigh-off and offer up the largest first place prize money they can. Some growers would travel hundreds of miles to compete if the payout was worth it. On the other hand, members of the club want to receive at least SOMETHING for all the hard work they put into the hobby and paying further down accomplishes that end. It's a real balancing act for the club coordinator.

We have the luxury of two different weigh-offs in our area, one for locals and one GPC event. It only makes sense that you make your GPC event as big as you can make it and, let's face it, money is the key.

Having said all that, I'd still prefer to win the local weigh-off, competing against the friends I've known and shared experiences with over the years.

9/26/2012 2:16:13 PM

Colorado

Media exposure -tv,internet and news articles are what creates interest in the hobby.When word gets out of the size of this years world champion more growers will follow.

9/26/2012 2:22:00 PM

Princeton Kentucky

1320..I agree with you on the money..Hell thats one of the reasons I'm showin up, lol. I posted this topic not to judge the hard work that is obviosly being done out there but maybe to throw a simple Idea out there, lol. Funny how its never seems to be a good Idea to do that and again I've never won a popularity contest doing so..you think I'd learn, lol. huffspumpkins, yes New Bremen along with other comments from past posts did inspire the topic and as far as a Hamilton weigh off...Didn't have a clue that one was even out there, lol..sorry. Not trying to disturb the good happenings that go on in the GPC as of now..I'm very impressed at what they do. cojoe, TV and main stream media is good advertisment, I agree, I personaly think younger people have there heads in their phones texting rather than watching tv to here about the hobby on the news. Show me a High Schooler that sits and watches the news and I'd say you have a rare body, lol. Again just thought I'd throw it out there and knew it would ruffle some cuffs, lol. The High schoolers around here in AG Classes and in 4H would probably jump at the opportunity to raise a Giant and be proud to show it with their name recognition at the County Fairs. (Crawlin back in my hole)..for now, lol.

9/26/2012 2:46:22 PM

Lexington, Ky

Hamilton claims to be adhereing to GPC guidelines which would eliminate previously weighed pumpkins but they do specifically say they will accept them, my bad.

I still think that the Hamilton weigh off holds water for those that have only time/money enough to attend one weigh off...

9/26/2012 3:47:11 PM

Zurich, Ontario Canada

I think it's too bad that there aren't more kids growing. It would get them away from the tv, face book, you tube and give them a sense of acomplishment for there hard work. It is very valuable time they could be spending with there parents also!!! I give out giant seeds to all the kids when they go out trick or treating. Last year out of 60 kids there was only one that planted the seeds, and he was my nephew!!!

9/26/2012 5:19:45 PM

Maine

The official GPC weighoff in Damariscotta, Maine, supports young growers...gives away free "plantlet" to get them going around Mother's Day, complete with growing instructions...and what a great thing to teach them...to strive for a goal, work hard and see the results....

9/26/2012 9:04:52 PM

Princeton Kentucky

phat jo, I concure with your analogy, great Idea..sad statistics Anne..Very Cool Ideas!!! I think maybe thats where I was trying to get too with this topic.

9/26/2012 9:23:23 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Its going to take more than kids to boost participation. Most kids don't have the patience or will to grow a chia pet. What we need is more middle age families...and growers to get other people to grow and help them suceed

9/26/2012 10:32:20 PM

Eugene,OR

I forced my kid to grow a greenie this year!

9/26/2012 10:41:53 PM

Muddy Waters

The same guys that win every year.Put there heart & soul And all they got into this great hobby.If you want to win put more into it.As for the weigh-offs a bunch of sites spread out thin is not probably going to work.You need bigger clubs to keep it 1st class.These smaller sites should unite & go 1st class.I bet you see a new face in the top 3 at OVGPG this year as you usually do.There are no shoe ins.Well maybe 1.lol

9/27/2012 5:53:01 AM

Muddy Waters

The small sites going under is not do to lack of interest in this hobby.It's do to to many sites in one area.This hobby is growing fast.With the hydro stores now in place it will grow really fast the next ten years.The local store manager is going to give me a run for my money next year he claims.I said Yes!bring it on I told him .All are welcome to join.I have been approached by many wanting me to start a new weigh-off in Michigan.I could put together a 10,000 purse in a short time as I know many wealthy business owners who would sponsor this site.I can also have been told I can talk the bark off a tree.lol& could sell ice cubes to Eskimos.lol.I told the local chamber of commerce.Not interested! I will put my efforts into growing & showing.Michigan has enough sites already in place.I will go to the nearest weigh-off with all the bells & whistles.Just saying folks you may want to help your local site grow rather then start a new one.If they dont want help.Put all your energy into growing.Works for me.

9/27/2012 6:16:12 AM

Madisonville, TN

I teach Agriculture at my local high school. In the past most of our departments concentration has been in livestock. I have been trying to push horticulture. Most people don't have enough land to raise livestock but do have enough space for a garden. This year my daughter grew giant watermelons for a FFA project. I was very successful and went over great at the school. After seeing my daughters photos in the newspaper and seeing her melons at the Tennessee Valley Fair, I have had quite a few students interested in getting started growing giants. I am trying to get a plot growing at our school so more student can participate, but time is very limited. We have to teach a strict state curriculum and it doesn't leave much time for other projects. It all about popularity at the high school level. My daughter is a star athlete at the school and after the other students saw that it was a "cool" thing to do, they want in on it. Sure there were a few students that said it was just "redneck", but we'll leave them to there phones and probation officers. There are still good ole country boys and girls in our schools that like to farm, so there is still hope.

9/27/2012 8:34:15 AM

Muddy Waters

Great idea Joesph,sorry I ranted on there.Yes Great Idea get the kids involved!

9/27/2012 11:37:20 AM

Princeton Kentucky

Handyhomegrown you make alot of valid points..thats what I like about forums you get all side of the Idea spectrum..Cool..,,,cloudwalker..LOL,LOL..Probies, LOL,LOL..sad but true...Sounds like your a Hell of a good person too...Good luck and take care of those KIDS!!!Thanks everyone for your input and thoughts..Good Luck To All!! PS 1843.5...BAAZINGA!!! USA, USA, USA!!!! (For Now) LOL

9/28/2012 6:56:03 PM