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Waterville, Ohio

It should come as no surprise that the giant pumpkin demographic is primarily composed of middle aged men (although there are certainly our exceptions.) Where does this leave the future of our beloved hobby? I applaud all of the growers that have taught their sons and daughters about the time,effort and dedication that growing a giant requires. I believe any interest in younger generations is a healthy distraction from a technology driven society. Teaching our youth the hands on skills and knowledge that their efforts produce will ensure future success in our hobby and enable them to be more driven and self sustainable adults.

With this being said, I believe it's time we recognize or contribute to younger growers by creating a GPC award in their honor. Such as the rookie of the year awards, one in which a younger member of our community is awarded for their effort. A general guideline could be based on top weight by a grower with an age of 17 or under or a combined weight of at least two officially weighed fruit.

Any input or comments are greatly encouraged as I would love to see this idea take hold.

- David Hertzfeld

1/1/2014 3:09:14 PM

Muddy Waters

http://greatpumpkincommonwealth.com/ I would take your idea to this website.You will get farther sending your idea to the GPC committee members. Good idea!

1/1/2014 4:22:54 PM

Waterville, Ohio

Thanks Mark.. Just wanted to get an overall consensus before hand. I know there are many awards already in place (each of which costs money) I certainly think this would be one that's beneficial to the community.

1/1/2014 4:33:45 PM

aurora, IL

Maybe pumpkin with the thickest stem.

1/1/2014 6:49:03 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

David, this idea has been discussed at several of the last weigh-offs I've attended. I like and support the idea of 17 and below with the option of declaring to go into the Adult group. The problems that were discussed were. How do we know that they did the work to grow it. Sounds great but paying another Class down to five places gets a bit spendy.
Will this just be giant pumpkins or are we going to include all GPC categories. The MN State fair has adult & youth 17 and under giant pumpkins only. (non GPC)

1/1/2014 7:18:16 PM

Springfield, Missouri

David,

Great idea! What about a mentor of the year award? I started growing in middle school, and my biggest problem was finding a growing space. My parents were not very keen on me digging up the backyard and spending money on soil amendments. There are a lot of great people throughout this community that helped me get started, why not recognize them too.

Logan

1/1/2014 7:36:52 PM

Springfield, Missouri

David,

Great idea! What about a mentor of the year award? I started growing in middle school, and my biggest problem was finding a growing space. My parents were not very keen on me digging up the backyard and spending money on soil amendments. There are a lot of great people throughout this community that helped me get started, why not recognize them too.

Logan

1/1/2014 7:36:53 PM

Commack, NY

We have a youth division at our weighoff (15 and under). It's worked pretty well so far, probably because the payoff for that class is nowhere near the adult division.

1/1/2014 9:04:49 PM

Waterville, Ohio

To keep it simple and true to its origins, I would say it should be for pumpkins only. Doing so would be a starting point and classes could be added if so desired.
I've seen individual contests with separate categories for under 17, typically it becomes a father/son duo. However my intention isn't for individual sites, but an overall award through the GPC (Youth of the Year) to accompany Grower of the Year, Rookie etc..
This could be as simple as having a D.O.B field in the usual registration form.
As far as knowing who actually grew it, honesty would have to be heavily relied upon.
Is it possible that a young grower recieved extra help during the season if a parent or close family friend was another grower.

Absolutely, it could also be that they have a 24/7 mentor on hand to guide and instruct on the hobby. (Along with necessary fertilizers,irrigation,fungicides etc..)
The creation of an award like this would be for recognition and encouragement of younger growers. Perhaps to curb any unfairness competitors could be nominated..

I appreciate the feedback so far, listening to the pros and cons helps to make necessary adjustments before a letter is even written.

1/1/2014 9:46:46 PM

Waterville, Ohio

Logan,
There are definently some great mentors out their, unfortunatly finding one in your area can be the hardest part. When I think of the best of the best, I believe it's the reason the hall of fame was created. These were growers that produced great weights, but most importantly contributed to the hobby and helped fellow growers.

1/1/2014 9:53:55 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

David, prblms arrize when doing this type of deallio, is attempted? Will you be going to each of the kid's growing areas on a regular basis to make sure the kid's are doing the work? I truly want yer efforts to work out on the positive side !!!! Peace, Wayne

1/2/2014 3:05:40 AM

Muddy Waters

No club will try & enforce honesty on there awards to that degree Wayne.You just have the award set up and the guidelines & hope most have integrity.All the classes could have cheaters.I could have siliconed my 2 maters together this year and had a 4.75 mater,but I wouldn't feel good about that.Just saying, You make the award if possible,Some times its just too much to do.Funds are limited for all clubs & organizations.Its a Great idea,We need more youth involved and they are are future.But we can only do so much.

1/2/2014 8:19:00 AM

Granite Bay-California

Ummm, how does a 7 year old grow a 1000lb pumpkin?? I've seen it a few times at different contest and just wonder who really grew it.

1/2/2014 10:53:14 AM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Maybe we are just over thinking this. Just have everyone enter as normal and have an extra award for the largest brought by a 17 or younger grower. Keep it small maybe $50 or $100.
As parents/grandparents/brothers etc. to mentor a child is to assist them until they understand the process. I mentored my grandson last year and only showed him what to do when he was there maybe once every ten days for 2 hours. It was hard not to work on the plant in between and many things went undone.

1/2/2014 11:53:45 PM