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Springfield, Missouri

It seem that Mark's post has raised issues with regard to funding clubs and weigh-offs. I thought it might be worthwhile to discuss and formulate alternative ways to fund clubs and weigh-offs. Let's please refrain from discussing whether selling your own seeds is scrupulous or not.

Clubs could go to their city,county, and/or local chamber of commerce and discuss the feasibility of a "local fall/harvest festival". Booth space could be sold to local vendors, and that money could be used to augment prizes or setup cost for the weigh-off. I believe this is how Pumpkin Daze (in Republic, MO) operates...

4/24/2017 12:00:17 AM

Netherlands

The Dutch weigh-off has two main sponsors. Our biggest sponsor is Canna (a fertilizer and substrate company) which organizes the event together with us, pays the GPC fees and main prize money for the pumpkins and does part of the promotion/advertising. They also rent the forklift and scale and handle the entry forms.

The second sponsor is the Botanical Gardens which supply the space, sound system and the other part of the promotion/advertising.

The Dutch pumpkin club supplies the trophies for the giant vegetable classes, the lifting rings and straps along with the lifting crew, does the administration and runs the website.

Our main sponsor charges €5 per person that enters an AG. The giant veg are free. In return they have a booth at the weigh-off.

The Botanical Gardens get extra income from entrance fees from the extra visitors. One of the two (not sure which) also receives money from different vendors who have a booth there. The Botanical Gardens also makes a profit from the catering.

Our pumpkin club makes its profits from a small silent auction and by selling seeds on Don's website (international buyers) and our own website (Dutch and Belgian buyers). We work on a budget of only a few hundred dollars per year.

4/24/2017 3:49:22 AM

Mn

You could auction off a date night with MobyMike or SoCal. I am sure that would bring at least $10 to $15. Something to think about.

4/24/2017 1:15:19 PM

Johnston, Iowa

MO, I think you have a good point. The weigh-offs that I've been to I think have the potential for increased revenue from vendor booths. Seems like a no-brainer!

4/24/2017 7:27:54 PM

Torrance, Ca.

I'm cool with that if Mike is.

I'd hope to bring at least 20 bucks but this may not happen without the Mike beard! lol

4/24/2017 8:03:20 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I suggest that clubs make a serious effort to spend a bit less per year than they receive. I have seen the non-profit financial statement from a club that has been around for many decades. This club has invested a portion of the funds received every year. I won't say the club...but after years of investing a small amount, they now have 100,000's dollars in assets. Earnings from these investments should keep them going forever.

4/24/2017 8:16:07 PM

valparaiso, in

I doubt that this would ever happen, but instead of having so many auctions the Clubs should hold regional auctions on here. There are just flat out too many auctions. Auctions in the chat room, auctions in the message boards, clubs having their own sections to hold week long auctions, and let's not forget the clubs that host auctions of seed sales on their own sites. Just too many auctions. Then you have the Flava Flav hype boyz in the auctions. This seed deserves to be sold for more money. This seed did this. This seed did that. Shut up, and let the auction run. If the seed deserves more money bid on it yourself. You are ruining the auction doing that crap. You are turning a couple hour auction into 4+ hours. You guys are turning people away from the already crowded auctions.
With that said Clubs that are close together should coordinate to host a bigger auction on one night. Try to have 1 auction a weekend instead of 3. Then divide the money up however you want. Fewer auctions will mean more money brought in at those auctions. But the Clubs will never do this. If nothing else lose the Hype Men.

4/25/2017 12:02:52 AM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

I don't see any problem with the amount of auctions, it is your option to participate. The more auctions the more good seeds are available to growers. I do agree that all online auctions go thru Ken and put under the club name and not just posted on BP.

4/25/2017 10:43:00 PM