Message Board - BigPumpkins.com

Knopp, Germany

The European "GPC" weigh off in Ludwigsburg Germany was won by a pumpkin that had been weighed in Belgium before. Have you no shame GPC? Sure, the GPC results on this web site do not show that, but the money as first place went to a pumpkin that had been weighed before.

This is not correct. And I am made to be the bad guy. Shame on you GPC.

10/11/2017 1:57:46 PM

Central NY

Weighed before?... Or weighed at a contest before?.,,just checkin... Sounds like a clear violation..

10/11/2017 2:31:43 PM

Knopp, Germany

Weighed at a contest before.

10/11/2017 2:36:37 PM

Germany

Weighed at a contest before, Porkchop, because everything else wouldn´t make Owen be so upset. Haven´t been there and haven´t checked out about the prize money. Perhaps for others to get an idea what it´s all about (how much prize money went to the heaviest fruit, which had been at a different contest before, and how much prize money went to the first GPC entry at this GPC weigh-off), one should perhaps list the examples of prize money here. Even though it´s all about hobby, sports, rules and ethics, the prize money example might help the one or the other to eventually share Owen´s opinion.

10/11/2017 2:42:19 PM

Central NY

DQ...I'm sure the gpc will be having a talk with the ludwigsburg site...but it sounds like more of an issue with the grower and/or weighoff site...what can gpc do?... Reprimand them?...not allow them gpc status?...ban all german growers?...except you two of course...either way...I feel Ya ...I say post the growers name and we"ll all go egg his house on Halloween...who's with me??

10/11/2017 2:52:46 PM

Germany

Ok, after a little search here´s the prize money thing:
According to the EGVGA newsletter, prize money for the heaviest fruit was 1.500 Euros. The official GPC contest winner (which is listed as 1st place in the GPC charts for this event) actually was the 2nd heaviest fruit and thus received 700 Euros prize money (again, data according to the EGVGA newsletter).

10/11/2017 2:55:33 PM

Knopp, Germany

Porkchop, a GPC Executive Committee Member is at that weighoff each year. What do you say now?

10/11/2017 2:57:10 PM

Germany

...and now imagine the following scenario: Growers from all over Europe carry their pumpkins to this European contest, the heaviest maybe 7 fruit receive prize money (even though they already had been weighed at previous contests), finally there´s a new entry (which then becomes 1st according to GPC rules) and receives maybe 150 Euros prize money.

10/11/2017 2:58:43 PM

Knopp, Germany

What is about my first post that is not understood?

The GPC supports this. Period.

Have you seen the GPC deny it?

10/11/2017 2:59:25 PM

Germany

With a different system of prize money (two categories, 'GPC' and 'site award', the latter not exceeding the GPC prize money) this part of the world would look much friendlier, I guess. Let´s assume they would have the following prize money system: 1000, 750, 500, 300, 200, 150, 100 Euros for each of the categories, then the heaviest one (previously weighed) would have received 1000 Euros, the 2nd heaviest (and 1st according to GPC) would have received 1.750 Euros.

10/11/2017 3:03:01 PM

Knopp, Germany

Porkchop, my name is owen olsen, I want you to egg my house, will be nothing compared to what happened to my pumpkin.

This is not a joke, nor something to be made light about. There are growers in Germany and Europe that really believe this is the norm, this is the way it is, they think the GPC controls all.

10/11/2017 3:06:43 PM

Central NY

I have not seen the gpc deny it , but I haven't checked thier website ...I don't think they are set up that way...if there was a gpc member there then they should have been made aware of the situation...if they were aware and allowed it thennnn.,,that sucks...

10/11/2017 3:06:52 PM

Central NY

And so there's no confusion , I think I'm on yer side Owen ...

10/11/2017 3:09:23 PM

Knopp, Germany

So, to make the GPC have a good review this weigh off site weighs the pumpkins before the "show" which are given GPC status, but for the "show" the pumpkins that have been weighed at other GPC weigh offs that are heavier get the money.

There is no way this is right. And I can't believe that growers like Joe Jutras, Steve Daletas, Ron Wallace, Steve Perry, Werner, Paton, McMullen support this.

It is wrong.

10/11/2017 3:14:46 PM

Knopp, Germany

I want to explain the history behind this.

About a decade ago I tried to do what is being done now, a pre-weigh off to meet GPC rules, after discussion with the then GPC President and his Executive Committee it was determined that this was not the answer so the European Weigh Off opted out as a GPC site.

Then Beni Meier grew a big one, and middle in the season the GPC decided to grant this weigh off GPC rights. They obviously did not want to miss the PR opportunity.

I complained as there were other GPC weigh offs that had been correctly scheduled, but was brushed aside.

Since the Europeans have controlled the world record, the "European Weigh off" can do as it will, as long as it helps the GPC, even if it means ignoring the GPC rules.

10/11/2017 3:33:50 PM

Dave & Carol

Team Munson

The GPC does NOT tell the sites how to distribute their money & awards as long as the majority of the money is made available for all who compete.

The GPC only recognizes officially first weighed fruit for GPC records & GPC money. If a site wants to enter previously weighed pumpkins that is their call as long as only the first weighed get entered into GPC statistics. This is not encouraged but also is not against the rules if this angers you & other growers then boycott the weigh-off.

If you want to open a can of worms Owen then contact the 110 sites in the GPC & tell them you want to dictate how to spend their money.

Don't get me wrong I think the practice is wrong but till you have to look at all sides there is not much the GPC can do this would be a grower issue to resolve.

I am done talking about this & I thought you were as well Owen but just like shingles here we are festering again.

10/11/2017 3:38:15 PM

Knopp, Germany

Dave, the majority of the money is not made available to all that compete.

However, you have made a statement without knowing what is really going on, and you Dave have again made me look like a complainer in stead of a whistler blower.

Thanks Dave.

10/11/2017 3:45:16 PM

Central NY

Ohhhh.., I see what they are doing...prolly to attract more big pumpkins.,.if they weigh gpc first (even within the same show)...for less money, or no money, just a ribbon let's say ....then Next contest(same show).Everyone is avaible to win.,.(non gpc contest),,.is that what's up?

10/11/2017 3:46:18 PM

Knopp, Germany

And as far as festering, if this continues next year......

10/11/2017 3:46:39 PM

Knopp, Germany

Porkchop let me try to explain this as a outsider would see it.

You read a paper or web site and see there is a weigh off, GPC supported, the prize money is great. So you decided to go. When you get there you find out the "GPC" portion is just for BP.COM and that the money is given to pumpkins that had been weighed at other GPC weigh offs.

10/11/2017 3:50:16 PM

Central NY

Yea ... That's a site issue...not a gpc issue...start your own weighoff...that one sounds shady...

10/11/2017 3:51:32 PM

Central NY

They are skirting the rules...not breaking them...good for me if I have the biggest pumpkin though ...

10/11/2017 3:52:58 PM

Knopp, Germany

Then you complain, and the best growers in the world are against you, see the post from Dave Stelts.

How am I suppose to explain this to a new grower? LOL, the GPC does not even get it.

10/11/2017 3:53:43 PM

Central NY

Nobody's against you...don't be that guy...

10/11/2017 3:54:28 PM

Knopp, Germany

Porkchop, it is not a site issue. Ahhhhhhhh

10/11/2017 3:55:05 PM

Germany

It´s like running a marathon, and the first who arrives will be put on 3rd place, because two others are on #1 and #2, no, they didn´t run this time, oh no, they just came for a visit and entered their time from a previous marathon. Basically that´s what it is, isn´t it?

10/11/2017 3:55:38 PM

Central NY

No...

10/11/2017 3:59:12 PM

Germany

Porkchop, you call it a site issue. Not sure if it is one. When it reads

"Each site may have their prize payout structure as they choose as long as the main prizes are available to all growers entered in their weigh-off. The main prize structure shall be defined as the majority of the money and prizes available for all competing growers. Sites may, at their own discretion, offer additional regional bonuses not to exceed the value of the main prize structure"

...what does 'main prizes' mean? Is 'main prizes' the definition for the prizes for pumpkins which are entered into the competition according to GPC rules? At least I understand it that way, because when it reads "...available for all competing growers..." and the weigh-off is officially a GPC contest, then the officially competing growers are those who are competing according to GPC rules, aren´t they? The others have had their competition already, they simply entered their big pumpkin into a show.

10/11/2017 3:59:24 PM

Knopp, Germany

Ok, simple question, how many sites allow pumpkins from other GPC weigh offs to be allowed?

Dave Stelts, can you name me one?

10/11/2017 3:59:36 PM

Central NY

How many sites have two separate contests at the same show?...

10/11/2017 4:01:36 PM

Knopp, Germany

One.

10/11/2017 4:04:23 PM

Central NY

Sounds like they might have an issue...not a gpc issue..but def an issue

10/11/2017 4:05:05 PM

mellowpumpkin(Josiah Brandt)

Knopp, Germany

They are a GPC site. Not a GPC issue? Talk about I'll take the money but not the responsibility.

10/11/2017 4:10:39 PM

Rudolph

I actually was a bit confused when I seen a post on my Facebook feed that was congratulating Mathias on his 2228 (is this the fruit that was entered twice Owen?) I seen the picture and it was obviously a different event, so I thought to myself dang good job Mathias, the fruit looked exactly the same as the one entered 2 weeks prior... I actually took the time to compare pictures from both fruit... not sure if he entered it at another weigh off or was showing it off for the fest, but from the post I read it sounded like he entered and won.

10/11/2017 4:11:06 PM

Germany

That particular fruit. Exactly.

10/11/2017 4:12:17 PM

Central NY

sounds like the gpc portion of the event ends early...

10/11/2017 4:14:17 PM

Central NY

And won another gpc event?...prolly not...

10/11/2017 4:16:00 PM

Knopp, Germany

So let me get this clear, I can start a GpC weigh off, announce gosh knows what the prize money will be, and when the pumpkins show up give out the money as I wish, regardless of gpc rules. Second time weighed, etc. First time weighed pumpkins will be satisfied with a GPC ranking, but no money.

10/11/2017 4:16:38 PM

Germany

1 fruit, 2 weigh-offs, 1 entry into the GPC charts (from the first weigh-off), 2 times prize money (any mistakes in my summary?)

10/11/2017 4:18:02 PM

Knopp, Germany

It did Josiah, entered and won a GPC event....2 times.

10/11/2017 4:18:46 PM

IanP

Lymington UK

Owen
I called a meeting after your first post as promised. We spent a lot of our time discussing this weigh off and as a result I contacted the site.
It was to late to change this year but I hope next year it will change.
The whole idea of this weigh off is to give growers from all over Europe a chance to meet, talk pumpkins and enjoy and I commend them for it.
I hope next year they will have a GPC weigh off in the morning and a EGVGA weigh off in the afternoon.
This should clear up any confusion.
I did as promised, email you with this information but I got no email back.
Ian

10/11/2017 4:18:47 PM

mellowpumpkin(Josiah Brandt)

Germany

I guess a 'GPC prize structure' for that event didn´t exist, did it?

10/11/2017 4:19:12 PM

Rudolph

If this is what is happening... I'm very surprised Mathias would be doing it, of all people the person with the world record...doesn't it take away from the credibility of the fruit grown over seas?

10/11/2017 4:20:40 PM

Central NY

Not quite...but let's say there's 5000 euros avaible at that site for prize money...if they only allot 500euros for the "gpc " portion of the event that's all they allow...you get ribbons too...if they choose to give more prize money in the "next" contest that's thier choice...it still doesn't break the rules...it's obviius its two separate contests...what if they did them a day apart?...

10/11/2017 4:23:55 PM

Central NY

Lol moby ...credibility...troublemaker...

10/11/2017 4:25:36 PM

Germany

Porkchop, in this case two individual prize structures should have been announced (no matter if the two events happened on one day or two days apart), but I have seen only one prize struture.

10/11/2017 4:26:43 PM

Germany

'structure' (silly typo, sorry)

10/11/2017 4:27:31 PM

Knopp, Germany

To late to tell them they are against the GPC rules? They will ignore the GPC as always, Ian, can't you see what is wrong with this 2 weigh offs at the same site with in a few hours in one day idea? Sure I see where the GPC gets another entry fee and if they want to meet and greet fine.

But this is wrong. One site, one weigh off, one prize structure.

Again, I will not let this be forgotten, if it had not been for Beni meier, middle in the season, this would not be a GPC site today.

10/11/2017 4:28:23 PM

Central NY

See... There Ya go...Ian p is on it....good lookin out owen...

10/11/2017 4:29:15 PM

Central NY

Yes pumpking ...I'm sure they will be clear about the prize money next year ...def should announce that...I'm guessing that's all they will do ...still within the rules..

10/11/2017 4:31:19 PM

Knopp, Germany

Was the European Weigh Off a GPC Event? Yes.
Did a pumpkin that was weighed at a previous event win? Yes.
Did the GPC by pass there own rules by allowing this to happen? Yes.
Was this pumpkin recorded a second time by the GPC as official? No.
Did other pumpkins at his weigh off not get recognized by the public and with prize money? Yes, they did not get recognized.

10/11/2017 4:34:20 PM

Knopp, Germany

I guess this is normal in the USA and Canada. I think it is horrendous.

10/11/2017 4:37:14 PM

Knopp, Germany

BTW, do you know that this site has sent on there own cost sponsors to pick up pumpkins to ensure the pumpkins show up?

Not all pumpkins, just the ones that the site wants. Now if that doesn't sound like a GPC weigh off.....

10/11/2017 4:43:00 PM

john boy

virginia

I think Owen is right,,,,
It shouldn't be that way.

10/11/2017 4:45:40 PM

Central NY

No, it shouldn't be that way...sounds like it only happens in Germany...(except for hobbits neighbor)...he's a scumbag

10/11/2017 4:48:57 PM

Ned

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

do they have Ativan in Germany

10/11/2017 4:51:26 PM

Knopp, Germany

It does not happen at all German weigh offs!!!

10/11/2017 4:52:28 PM

Central NY

I hope not...

10/11/2017 4:54:06 PM

Knopp, Germany

If there is one grower out there that agrees with me then do not send me a email, send it to the GPC. I stopped going to this weigh off when they started this practice. If you think this is ok then wait till next fall, I will be back and just as much against this as ever.

10/11/2017 4:57:37 PM

Marv.

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Owen. I give you credit for not letting up on this because you feel it is wrong and from what I read it doesn't look right. Sounds like there is some hanky panky going on. One weigh-off site. Two contests minutes apart. Two sets of rules. Two sets of prizes. Enter your pumpkin in one or both contests. Doesn't matter if the pumpkin won elsewhere?Is that what you are saying? All of this so lots of growers will show up? GPC should figure this out and then fix it consistent with GPC rules. May even need a few lawyers present.

10/11/2017 4:58:10 PM

ClearlyMoronic (TeamTrenchant)

Knopp, Germany

Ned, I had to google what Ativan was.

I guess you think you are funny. I have other thoughts, but I will leave it at that.

10/11/2017 5:06:12 PM

Deal With It

It's always a good idea to force a public discussion of the rules.

10/11/2017 6:15:50 PM

So.Cal.Grower

Torrance, Ca.

So a pumpkin is weighed at a gpc event and places then the same pumpkin is being weighed at another gpc event and taking prize money? Is that what I'm reading ?

Or am I reading this wrong?

10/11/2017 8:22:47 PM

mellowpumpkin(Josiah Brandt)

Rudolph

My understanding is they enter at a gpc event then take there fruit to another gpc event but although it's posted as a gpc event there's a weigh off after that event that's not gpc so the prize money is put up for this event and they weigh the gpc fruit first to make it ok, then the second weigh off they weigh all the fruit that have already been weighed at other event...but the kicker is if you bring a fruit to this weigh off the prize money structure includes the fruit that have been weighed before... the 500 pound fruit may take first in the gpc event but once the other fruit are weighed they are bumped down and don't get the prize money that comes with first place, so basically they are bending rules to get more money in the pockets of the person that grew a huge fruit that year, this way the site gets tons of huge fruit to show off to the masses

10/11/2017 9:25:52 PM

So.Cal.Grower

Torrance, Ca.

Thanks Josiah.

You should of brought your Elk fruit to HMB then. lol

Could you imagine...

10/11/2017 11:02:19 PM

Big City Grower (Team coming out of retirement )

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Hmmmnnnn...... I can say that doesn't happen around this part of the world......

10/11/2017 11:43:05 PM

Knopp, Germany

So let me set the record straight, the GPC has verified this happens and they support it with Executive Committee member attendance at this weigh off. This is now a standard. It is only a question of time before other weigh offs, world wide, also deploy this tactic to get the biggest pumpkins to attend their weigh offs.

Put your heads in the sand. This has nothing to do with what part of the world one lives in, this is all about money.

10/12/2017 12:43:46 AM

Spudley (Scott)

Alaska

It's a common practice at most if not all of the major giant vegetable shows in the UK. You can haul/enter the same marrow/onion/beet/rutabaga/carrot/parsnip/cucumber cleaning up on the prize money. Kinda discourages folks from entering if the top spots are already taken ahead of time.

10/12/2017 5:06:26 AM

Spudley (Scott)

Alaska

Because we only have the one show we don't have that problem, lucky us. With our cabbage contests only one cabbage per family grown at the same physical location can be entered. Otherwise a large farming family could enter as many as they have kids for. It's set up that way to spread the prize money around. Not letting one family/person take it all. There will always be those who try and game the system.

10/12/2017 5:28:28 AM

Zebra Mussel

Ohio

Seems like this is a massive pumpkin show where the GPC membership is a small part and continued somewhat as a courtesy. Every new participant can still get an 'official' weight.

10/12/2017 6:16:47 AM

Germany

Zebra Mussel, one of the interesting aspects (which hasn´t been mentioned here, as far as I have seen) is that the same site already had a GPC weigh-off a week prior.

10/12/2017 6:56:17 AM

benny_p

Germany

For me Ludwigsburg is the nearest weighoff ( thats means a 2.5 to 3 hours drive). So far every year two Weighoffs , first GPC- sanctioned. Second weekend is combined with a EGVGA Grower Meeting , so called "European-Championship".
For all growers it was clearly announced that this EC is not a GPC event as preweighed fruits are allowed BUT that there is a GPC -Weighing before that - without Prize money- to give growers coming to the meeting a chance to get GPC weights for their fruits. ( For me personally thats the only chance to bring two pumpkins officially into GPC listings)
(BTW @ Big City : I can remember a new established Non-GPC site in Northamerica advertising that they have no problems with preweighed fruits, and they get some )
Now, how long has the break to be between GPC-WO and the non-GPC ; a week a day, few hours , ten minutes ??
Its stretching the rules, but I dont know if its breaking the rules.

PS : 2323.7 and 2624.6 were both first time weighed at Euro-Championship

10/12/2017 7:01:37 AM

Big City Grower (Team coming out of retirement )

Germany

Benny, good to have your insider knowledge available here (it will certainly help to make the whole thing much more transparent for many of us, including me as one who hasn´t attended this weigh-off yet).

- You mention that there´s no prize money for the GPC part of the European Championship. Has this been posted by the organizers (in order to make this fact transparent for those who enter their pumpkin into the GPC part)? (Haven´t found this explicit statement pointed out yet.) If that´s clearly pointed out, then it´s fair for those who attend the weigh-off because of prize money for their GPC entry (in this case those growers might wish to attend the weigh-off a week prior).
- You mention that the two weigh-offs are the only way for you to enter two pumpkins into the GC list. In my opinion, you could do the same with multiple pumpkins on one day, one for competition (prize money) and the others as EXH. Now one could argue that in case of two pumpkins you could still get some prize money at the 2nd weigh-off, but you could achieve the same if you entered the heaviest fruit of the first weigh-off into the European contest again. Just imagine you had two pumpkins of similar size, taking the slightly bigger one to the 2nd weigh-off but you find out that it´s 20% light. Taking both pumpkins to the 1st weigh-off would give you both the entries of officcial weights into the GPC list and the opportunity of entering the definitely heavier fruit into the 2nd competition. Is there any problem associated with bringing more than one fruit to the 1st weigh-off (do they allow only one fruit per grower, no EXH fruit)?

10/12/2017 7:20:48 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Benny not in Wisconsin... we run several top notch weigh offs I would encourage any Gpc rep and or any grower across the world to come to our events and I am sure anyone who visits will agree we run top notch events and they are all Gpc sanctioned.

10/12/2017 9:23:39 AM

IanP

Lymington UK

Although re-weighing pumpkins is not for me I do understand why it happens.
The GPC has no right to tell non GPC weigh offs what they can or can't do.
It doesn't matter if a GPC weigh off has no prize money.
We have a weigh off in London that will pay re-weighed pumpkins £1000 if they win.
If we win with no UK record at our GPC weigh off we will win £500
It's our choice where we take our pumpkins.
I personally find it very sad when people like Owen slate our very friendly organisation.
I just try to remember that there are so many growers that love what the GPC stands for and I for one love putting in more than I take out.
Ian

10/12/2017 12:53:36 PM

WiZZy

Little-TON - Colorado

Well said Ian.

10/12/2017 1:01:43 PM

Knopp, Germany

The European and German Weigh Offs advertise that they are a GPC weigh off, and also advertise their proud awards. Then when you show up you realize that you are competing against pumpkins for those awards that have been to other weigh offs.

How is owen slating the GPC? The GPC is doing it to itself. How can you advertise a weigh off as being GPC and allow pre weighed pumpkins?

Do you Ian think for a minute that I have not put in more then I have taken out?

Isn't the idea behind the GPC to ensure fairness?

Go ahead and make me the bad guy, the truth will haunt you.

What is happening in Ludwigsburg is wrong.

10/12/2017 1:12:16 PM

Q Tip

You guys this isn't rocket science....follow the money....If the person putting up the money for the event wants BIG pumpkins,then he wants BIG pumpkins....the GPC really doesn't mean anything to a "non-pumpkin grower"...People/The public want to see BIG pumpkins, they could care less if the pumpkin meets GPC guidelines or has already been weighed...This isn't a GPC issue.. Talk to the person who runs/sponsors the event and puts up the prize money Owen....That is who you need to convince this is wrong - NOT the GPC....It's like going into a grocery store and yelling at the check out boy because Oreo's changed the color of their packaging and you don't like it....Also, it's simple, you don't like it, don't go. (not saying I agree with what they do, but I don't understand why people are shocked by this)

10/12/2017 1:32:12 PM

Knopp, Germany

THE GREAT PUMPKIN COMMONWEALTH

The GPC represents the standard of fair and equal competition for all participating growers and sites without prejudice.

That is the first line of the GPC rules. How am I as a grower that believes this suppose to understand what is happening?

As a old friend used to say, it is easier to be a yes man then to tell your friends they are wrong.

Do what you want, it doesn't make it right, and for sure not fair.

10/12/2017 1:42:34 PM

Team Wexler

Lexington, Ky

This wouldn't be an issue if Owen grew the biggest pumpkin, correct?

10/12/2017 1:45:12 PM

Marv.

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Owen. Nothing unusual here. The guy with the money makes the rules. Happens all the time. Don't like the rules? The only real options are to not play or start your own game. Right or wrong has nothing to do with it. In this case there really is no right or wrong. It is just a game being played with the rules of the guy with the money.

10/12/2017 1:47:21 PM

Knopp, Germany

No Wexler, you are wrong, look at the weigh off results for the Gartenschau in Germany, I have a EXH pumpkin because I will not support the German or European weigh offs, even though I could have won money.

Thank you for bringing that up, I have morals and if I think something is wrong I do not stand by.

BTW, I have been doing that for years now.

10/12/2017 2:00:07 PM

Knopp, Germany

Sorry Marv, I believe there is a right and a wrong. We need standards at our weigh offs, but we also need fairness.

Money should not be the way to the future, having fun, teaching our children the difference between right and wrong.

10/12/2017 2:04:43 PM

Knopp, Germany

After taking some time I have decided to address Team Wexler again.

Your post is exactly what the public wants, attack me with no idea what is happening. I guess that you are now in good standing with the public.

I am not going to ever let the wrong make themselves into the right.

10/12/2017 3:37:06 PM

Central NY

Oh please...just don't go to that weighoff...problem solved

10/12/2017 5:37:43 PM

Marv.

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Owen. I know where you are coming from. But, you will probably end up on the manure end of the stick. Unfortunately, it really isn't always about right and wrong. Whatever you do, don't get pissed and leave the forum like others have before you.

10/12/2017 8:43:48 PM

Team Wexler

Lexington, Ky

Owen, please accept my apology, I didn't mean to be disrespectful, I appreciate that you're raising your voice. Sitting on the sidelines with silence fixes nothing....

10/12/2017 9:06:02 PM

Dutch Brad

Netherlands

I don't really want to get mixed up in this, but at the time the whole issue started I was still a member of the EGVGA board. Here are a few comments.
First of all, Owen has done a lot of good work in Germany promoting the hobby.
Secondly, the organiser of the European weigh-off is a commercial entity. He's there to make money. Period. This is generally speaking an unwanted situation.
Thirdly, the problem could be solved if there was more transparency. In all communication to the growers, make clear that there are two weigh-offs, the first one is solely GPC without prize money. The second one has nothing to do with GPC at all and the heaviest pumpkin wins. Advertise it as such and treat it as such.

10/13/2017 3:08:52 AM

Tomislav

Croatia, EU

Ha ha, the one with the money makes the rules.. sycophancy in all its glory.. Ending on the manure end because of sticking into manure, well yes, I agree.

10/13/2017 7:50:05 AM

baitman

Central Illinois

"European weigh-off is a commercial entity. He's there to make money."

will this eventually lead to a new organization competing with the GPC?

10/13/2017 8:55:01 AM

Knopp, Germany

Porkchop that has got to be the most wrong answer I have yet.

Marv, I am used to shoveling manure. If I leave this forum it is because I am 6 feet under.

Team Wexler, no need to apologize, you have the freedom of speech as well as I do. I would like to see you and your team get a new PB next year, at a fair weigh off.

Brad, I almost cannot believe I am saying this but you have done an excellent job of finding a answer that most will agree with. I don't, one weigh off site, one day otherwise the idea of a grower going to more then weigh off to reap the money will be done. And the weigh off site can still claim to be GPC.

Baitman I do not believe they are interested in making a new entity, why should they when they can use the GPC as a front without having to invest any money.

10/13/2017 12:29:16 PM

KC Kevin

Mission Viejo, CA

I think the solution is to go the weigh-off and kneel while the pumpkins are being weighed. But that's just me...

10/13/2017 1:08:35 PM

Knopp, Germany

What?

10/13/2017 1:46:23 PM

Central NY

Well it's either that or have faith that things will be different (better)moving foward..

10/13/2017 4:15:05 PM

Pumpkin JAM

Tinykinville

Not sure how this is so crazy a situation. But as I understand to be eligible for GPC prizes and awards it must be weighed first at GPC site. I at any other GPC would not be eligible for any other GPC awards at that site. However the site itself is allowed to award money as it sees fit! Meaning the GPC does not control site prize money! That would be a site issue. They only Control GPC awards so that would be ribbons, plaques or top end of the year GPC conference awards!

10/13/2017 10:09:11 PM

chariotofFire

Illinois

When weigh-off money is awarded, the rules are very important and the GPC (the credentialing body) made rules to make competitions fair. Another side is to eliminate prize money at GPC competitions! Money (or marketing) is not the priority in an idealistic competition, growers could participate in several weigh-offs since there's no 'skin' in the game.

10/14/2017 11:29:00 AM