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On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

I think the GPC should give out some sort of a one time only award for all growers able to exceed the 1000 pound mark. The heavy hitters may make light of this but there still are a lot of growers out there who believe this is a worthwhile achievement and a lot of other growers who have not yet been able to accomplish this feat. I had previously suggested some sort of a ring as an award for the biggest pumpkin of the year. That went nowhere but maybe this will catch on? I still believe the ring was a good idea but it may have been ahead of its time. Recognition of those exceeding 1000 pounds, the little guys, is long overdue in my mind.

4/10/2012 5:18:52 PM

Linden, Mi.,

For sure ! OVERDUE !

4/10/2012 5:59:27 PM

The North Coast

I hear that...I can die a happy man if there was 4 figures in front of my name.

4/10/2012 6:16:15 PM

Hinckley MN

Maybe we need to have a certificate for the 1000lb club, the 1500lb club and the 2000lb club? I guess that last one is very small club...and they give a jacket for that.

A certificate that each weighoff can print for anyones first 1000lb fruit would be great. Each GPC weighoff could be responsible for awarding the certificates. The certificate form can be in the weighoff prize pack from the GPC.

Thats a good idea Marv!

4/10/2012 6:41:50 PM

Omaha, Ne.

Agreed a 1000 lbs kin as to be earned they don't happen without doing some hard work.
Plus I could get one this year....OK, maybe next year.

4/10/2012 7:17:46 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

I heard there was a great guy online here (Peace, Wayne) who took it upon himself and designed a 1/2 to patch that he proudly sends out to folks that finally break the 1000 lb mark (still a great feat in pumpkin growing) and I hope he is still doing it.

Wayne...hopefully 2012 is the year North Shore Boyz gets the coveted 1/2 ton award patch.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=339390

4/10/2012 9:51:47 PM

Upa Creek, MO

What about a 1\8 ton award or medal for us light-hitters?

4/10/2012 10:24:56 PM

Alabama

I agree with Luke but maybe a 1/4 ton it's hard to grow pumpkins in the south(:

4/11/2012 12:01:59 AM

New Zealand

silly question regarding one ton.
as there are different measures around the world, is one ton a 1000kgs or 2204lbs? or is it 2000lbs like those in the states use? one tonne or one ton?
sooner or later this will be an issue.

4/11/2012 3:13:32 AM

Upa Creek, MO

PB, I was just kidding, I am already in the 1/4 ton club. lol

Macivo, in general, I think it means 2000 pounds when used on BP.

4/11/2012 8:44:29 AM

Western PA

The ovgpg club gives out tee shirts at our spring meeting for 800 pound club, 900, etc. Everytime you break into another 100 pound bracket, you get another shirt.

I think that is very nice.

4/11/2012 9:06:17 AM

Ireland

I think thats a good idea Marv
Micheal

4/11/2012 12:43:01 PM

Alabama

Luke I know you were kidding, I'm in the 1/4 ton too.

4/11/2012 12:43:20 PM

Mass

Team Pumpkin gave me a nice certificate and patch for reaching that milestone at their weighoff.

4/11/2012 7:45:09 PM

Johnston, Iowa

A one time award of some kind for cracking four figures (1,0000 pounds) would be a measure of encouragement and recognition that would be greatly appreciated . . . for those of us that have not hit his milestone . . . yet.

4/11/2012 8:53:53 PM

Claysburg , PA

Still tryin to get mine.

4/11/2012 9:57:14 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

We have been giving out patches and T-shirts at the PGPGA weighoffs for maybe 3 or 4 years for reaching 1000 pounds. The really heavy hitters don't get it and for the most part they are in the decision making positions. Initially I tried to get the GPC to do this but it never caught on Maybe they could reconsider? One year I even took the shirts and patches to the Niagara Meeting. Maybe some of you will recall? Marv

4/11/2012 10:28:37 PM

Rhode Island

some type of recognition for a growers first 1,000 pound pumpkin, etc, while a great thought i think would be very difficult to manage by the gpc. to much record keeping and additional unwanted work for sure.

i like the idea of each individual site doing there thing awarding as they see fit to there contestants.

most sites go out of there way to include growers of smaller pumpkins.
in the sngpg for example we have a end of season contest where all members ( world wide ) compete for cash awards in individual weigh catagories from 100 pounds up to the ceiling of weights.( three awards per weigh catagory) very well received and close to $3,700.00 is allocated to this contest.all so that growers of all size pumpkins have additional chances to win something.

many clubs also give out awards as some have mentioned above ---all greatly appreciated for sure.id even go so far as to suggest clubs think about having a seperate set of ribbons/etc? for top ten pumpkins 1,000 pounds and under.something to think about?

to me thats the way to go.do it in house and for your weigh-off contestants.whatever fits best for your clubs weigh-off situation.

we all tend to be copy-cats so if you find a great way to also reward these growers? other clubs would take note as well.
pap

4/12/2012 8:37:07 AM

Ohio

I think if someone tries to grow atleast 3 plants and ends up getting skunked that year, then the GPC should give out a 25lb frozen turkey a gift certificate to a Mcdonalds breakfast and a coupon for 20% off for a oil change somewhere.

4/12/2012 8:52:36 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

A one time award would not be difficult to manage at all IMO. It could be a simple patch or certificate kept locally at each GPC site and given to 1st time achievers of 1000 lbs. at the time of the weigh off results.

In house is great, not all growers belong to clubs.

Contest for monetary awards are also fine, but this award is for a specific milestone that most of us are still aiming for.

At the Frerich Farm weigh off there were 16 pumpkins that were 1000 lbs. or more and I didn't recognize any first timers. The number of awards/certificates/patches given out would be much smaller than some may think.

4/12/2012 9:48:53 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Hmmmmm

4/12/2012 10:34:25 AM

Nottingham, UK

Damn, I grew a 494 last year so I guess I must be a featherweight hitter striving to be a lightweight hitter (1/4 ton = 551lbs)

Beating a PB is the goal for most of us but to have that 1000lb achievment acknowledge would be quite something.

I do think that individual sites should take care of certificating though

4/12/2012 10:54:27 AM

Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada

The only problem I see with awarding it at the site level is that it is still recognition only in a regional form. I think this post was meant to bring forward the idea of recognizing growers at the GPC level so that their accomplishment of meeting the 1000 pound mark is acknowledged by the governing body and announced to the entire pumpkin growing community.

4/13/2012 12:07:30 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

I don't follow.....when you weigh your pumpkin at a GPC sanctioned weigh-off, you are getting recognition at the GPC level, regardless of where it is held.

as Dick said, it would be quite a chore for the GPC to monitor and keep track of every person who grew a 1000 lb'er for the first time, let alone send out the award to the recipients. Receiving it locally from a GPC rep or event organizer ( on behalf of the GPC ) is the only way it will happen.

Why would it need to be announced to the entire pumpkin growing community?

4/13/2012 12:56:18 PM

Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada

I think we are discussing the same point Andy - unfortunately I wasn't clear obviously because I was actually agreeing with you - lol! I was saying that it should come from the GPC - not from the individual sites. Where it is physically awarded could be at the site, of course.

The way it is right now, the sites awarding the 1000 pound certificates or patches or whatever, are incurring the costs of these prizes. The GPC is not recognizing this accomplishment at present.

4/13/2012 2:24:36 PM