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Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

This is in no way meant to be a negative post. Most of us saw this coming....the playing field is definitely leveling. I only tuned in for a short time to see the "Team Pumpkin" auction.
1554 Rose- $20
1556 Rodonis
1502 wallace
1843 Geddes- all three for $65
1409 Miller-$45
1622 Young and 1207 Young for $40
985 Werner- $35
1288 Wallace-$20
1466 Jutras and 1647 Wallace for $35

These Premier seeds would have fetched a much higher price only one year ago. The number of quality seeds/growers has grown to the extent that clubs will need to be more creative in their fund raising efforts. A true testament to how much this hobby/obsession has grown in such a short time.

12/15/2012 9:54:52 PM

South East

More realistic prices for high quality seeds will be better for the hobby off growing giant pumpkins in general , as all growers, experienced or new, will have acces to top seeds for a reasonable price.
The seed auction decline started last year and wil plummet further as more and more quality seeds will flood the market. And like in all hobby's or business segments some top dogs will survive,,several will remain rare, or exeptional producers and become highly sought after. All in all the drop in auction prices might be a bad thing for immediate club revenues but a good thing for growing in general. After all: who really has the cash in this economy to lay down several hundred bucks for a single seed?
If you feel like you really want to support a club, im shure they wont mind checks or cash, lol.
Just our two cents.

12/15/2012 11:04:29 PM

Alabama

I think its the economic decline people just can't afford them.

12/15/2012 11:28:49 PM

Rhode Island

agree with the cooks. seed auctions are no different than any popular product.

at first everyone wants one and the price is high. after a period of time prices will drop.

i remember paying over $800.00 for one of the first flat screen hd tv`s now, they sell for $400.00 and under.

the great proven seeds however will always fetch good money for the clubs.if anything thats what the clubs need to go after.

pap

12/16/2012 9:59:19 AM

formerly RGG

Of course people with money are always going to be willing to pay a high price for well proven and scarce seeds. But, Pap and the Finders are right in that there are lots of great crosses out there and so great genetics are easy to come by. Some growers would almost pay to have their seeds grown by others. The clubs will survive of course. And I believe the best clubs will find a way to raise sufficient funds to keep their prize monies very interesting. JMHO

12/16/2012 12:10:55 PM

Rhode Island

to take it a step further

name association plays a big part when requesting seeds.
dito for clubs selling/auctioning requests as well.many new/newer growers will bid based on a growers good name as well, not just because of the seed he or she has donated to auction.

as prices tumble ( for what ever reason ) and offerings get watered down, the clubs that can put up proven and/or hard to get seeds will be the ones that have the most success.

in the end though?all clubs are chasing the almighty dollar.
cant blame um because the more money you have ,the larger your prize purse, the more big pumpkins you could get.
that is a formula that will never change.

hes a suggestion for clubs seeking valuable seeds for auction. inquire of yall your members.ask them for avaluable seed or two that they might donate for auction.review their offering(if any)and advise ya or nay in return.

be creative
pap

12/17/2012 11:16:19 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Did that already Pap. It can work but you will find the same people are the ones digging deep. I do like your idea, gave me a few of my own.

Hope that I/we don't come across the wrong way. Our club always makes due with whatever we have and all of our weigh offs have been successful.

12/17/2012 1:11:47 PM

Hampstead, NC 28443

I rarely feel the need to respond, but I think this is a well done thread that deserves comment by many. There is alot of truth in many statements on this thread. The price of a seed being less money definitely lets more people in on a seed with true potential. This does increase participation and levels the playing field to some extent. Remember, it is not what you pay for the seed, but that you work hard once it is in the ground. Money, when used correctly, can incentive people in many ways. Some are driven by the prize, others are driven by the event and ribbons. Both require money.
Clubs can utilize these moneys to expand their membership, provide seminars, and really help the new person coming into this hobby. Some say it is a sport, some say it is a hobby. To each their own obsessions.
Creativeness and networking are the key to any auction. Individual successes within the club can help that overall. We have seen one club this month pull in about $10K in 2 nights of auction. This same club has much to offer others in the form of their member's seeds. This is proof that if you grow your club, the money will follow. Be creative but do not lose sight that this is fun and if it stays fun, it will grow on it's own.

12/17/2012 1:45:30 PM

Long Island,New York

Now I see it a little differently....not a surprise to those who know me...lol. Team Pumpkin uses a different kind of auction where they sometimes determine the max bid on a seed and first one there wins it....not always highest price someone is willing to pay. There's also a reverse bidding program they use on some seeds. Seems to be more of a fun auction and an auction for the grower (to get good seeds at fair price)than an auction for the winner (the guy who wins the money in Oct).

12/17/2012 4:38:08 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Glenn...we have a drinkin game at the RMGVG auctionZ...we see thingZ differently afterwardZ too....lol

12/17/2012 5:07:40 PM

Putnam Ct.

I agree with LIpumpkin's post. Our auction had a lot of capped lots to get the seeds into growers hands that otherwise may not have the opportunity or funds to buy the seeds they want. The auction was a success for team-pumpkin we met our goal and hopefully made it fun for all who attended! Thank you again for your support!

12/17/2012 5:34:53 PM

Wallingford,CT

First let me say that no one should take the prices in the Team-Pumpkin auction as an indicator of the current fair market value for any seed. If we were trying to get top dollar for each lot it would defeat our purposes and with 42 lots it would take forever.

This year Team-Pumpkin sponsored 2 GPC weigh offs in Connecticut. With a modest number of members everyone pitches in as it is a Team effort. We strive to recruit and encourage new growers so everyone benefits from the growth. The hobby that we all enjoy will become top heavy and stagnate without new lifeblood. All the clubs look for new growers. At Team-Pumpkin we actively recruit them by having seminars, patch tours, and a Q&A table at both our weigh-offs. We actively mentor them and encourage everyone to bring the fruit of their labor to the weigh off regardless of size. There are several obstacles for every new grower one of which is the acquisition of quality seeds. Team-Pumpkin configures the auction to be fun and in part affordable for new(er) growers to participatejust look at lot 5.5 . As Lipumpkin and Green Gene have already pointed out we do some things different in the auction to promote affordable seed distribution. We still need operating funds like all the other clubs to support our activities such as our website, grower seminars and seedling hand outs.

The feedback we get from the auction has all been very positive. Yes Pap we try to be creative.
Bart
Team-Pumpkin

12/17/2012 10:05:52 PM

Connecticut

Team-Pumpkin tries to promote growers of all level, especially those starting out or struggling. We offer tips on our website (www.Team-Pumpkin.org) and have a different set of auction rules than most (which can be read at: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Attachments/Team-Pumpkin_Auction_2012.pdf)

Our goal is to get quality seeds into the hands of new growers at affordable prices to eliminate this as a variable in the trials and tribulations of giant pumpkin growing. Yes, we still need to generate funds, but from what I have heard so far the real payouts have been in the positive comments from happy growers reassuring us that our original goal was accomplished.

12/18/2012 8:58:45 AM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

"These Premier seeds would have fetched a much higher price only one year ago. The number of quality seeds/growers has grown to the extent that clubs will need to be more creative in their fund raising efforts. A true testament to how much this hobby/obsession has grown in such a short time."

You guys don't have to explain or justify anything. We have double the auctions as we did five years ago and a lot more elite growers. For these reasons the prices had to come down, not just at the Team Pumpkin auction.

12/18/2012 9:21:18 AM

Cameron

The GVGO has been hosting a raffle since it's inception & we've had a great response to it from the growers in the past. They have told me that they like the raffle because they can't afford to pay the prices that they get at auctions. For $5 you could win any of todays top seeds (1725 Harp, Quinn's top seeds, Wallace seeds & many, many more) in our raffle.

It seems this year that the prices are so low in the auctions that we are starting to see our raffle numbers down by quite a bit. I expect a minus of 25-30% difference from our previous years. A sign of the times I guess.

The main thing growers should do is to support your local club as much as possible & help out whenever you can.

Good luck with your fundraisers

Phil
GVGO

12/18/2012 11:19:09 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Bart is the man and has been very encouraging with this being my first year out!

What ever you guys are doing at Team-Pumpkin,,,, keep it up,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, it got me fired up!!!

Sorry to get off track but had to give praise where praise was due! :):)

You toooooo Matt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks :)

12/18/2012 1:08:28 PM