From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Muddy Waters

Please post below if you HAVE bought a seed at auction.Please tells why you have.This includes heavy hitters past & present.Please share your thoughts reasons for supporting the clubs

12/17/2017 10:03:56 AM

Torrance, Ca.

To support the club or weigh off holding the auction. Its not easy pulling money together for weigh offs and this is a nice way to harvest a big chunk.

12/17/2017 10:28:53 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Bought from ALOT of clubs over the years..... I have a very large heart for this sport and supporting it is the only way it will grow...

12/17/2017 11:04:31 AM

Emerald City

There have been some people out there that have been amazing to me over the years. Therefore, I really want to make an extra special point to support their clubs annually. The bonus is also getting some really great seeds in the process. I also like to support clubs in general since I know all the time, hard work, and energy that they put into their club events. Without the clubs, the growing landscape would look completely different and we all wouldn't be where we are at today. I've noticed generally declining prices in auctions over the past several years(unless there is a super seed, like the 2145 out there). There are also more and more clubs getting into the process. There are also more seeds to choose from. Now, more than ever, I find it that much more critical to support clubs in order to keep them going.

12/17/2017 11:13:34 AM

Fenton, MI

I always buy some seeds from auctions just to support some of the clubs. Could I get some of the same seeds from the growers ( maybe ) but it really helps the clubs to do what they do for our sport that we love doing.

12/17/2017 11:16:01 AM

Canada

I have bought seeds from the clubs I belong to and the weigh offs that I go to or buy raffle tickets from the club or weigh offs. If we dont support them they wont be able to cover their cost and continue to function

12/17/2017 12:01:53 PM

NE Wisconsin

Going to be my first year growing. Bought a Cutrupi lot because price was very reasonable, and the thought of growing a seed originating on a different continent was neat to me. I will for sure pick up a lot at the WI auction to support the club from my home state, just seems like the right thing to do.

Could I get some WI seeds free being a new grower, I'm sure I could. Paying $20 at an auction seems very reasonable to me knowing where it's going. I'm not interested in $100+ lots. I don't know enough about it yet. Me planting those premium seeds would be a waste right now, maybe in a few years. For now I'll gladly chip in $20 here and there for a few seeds.

12/17/2017 12:15:28 PM

stoughton WI

I bought one once, but Im no heavy hiiter. I just love seeds and pumpkins and pumpkin growers. We have support the clubs.

12/17/2017 1:11:47 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

You are in denial Rick...you love the excitement of bidding and collecting all the great seeds. In years past I have been very active in auctions. Thru the auctions I have acquired a majority of the absolute best genetic pool for tomatoes. So far, I haven't found a seed this year that excites me...but auction season is still young. Waiting for some of the old classics to show up...any 1161 Rodonis out there...any old Calai, Bobier, Eaton, Knauss seeds lost in a vault somewhere. I am sure sometime this auction seed there will be an auction where something will show up..that is the last chance to buy. Support your club, have fun....every auction season there is a lot which is perfect for every grower..whether your budget is $20 or $2000.

12/17/2017 1:46:03 PM

stoughton WI

Wildcat, email me and I'll see if I can hook you up with some wisconsin seeds.
Rickjoli@hotmail.com

12/17/2017 2:02:46 PM

Do not belong to any club but I buy more seeds than I want or need to help the clubs plus sometimes I am undecided on which seeds to plant.

12/17/2017 2:13:42 PM

Dillonvale, Ohio

I have bought seeds at both silent and live auctions, mainly from my local weigh off. I want to support them, they don't have the sponsors to pay for everything, they rely on auctions for their payouts. As I get better at growing and take more kins to other weigh offs, I will probably support them too.

12/17/2017 2:13:53 PM

Claysburg , PA

I usually get one or two seeds each year to support clubs . Not really expensive ones . And usually give some away .

12/17/2017 4:08:54 PM

Muddy Waters

& the survey says!!!! BEST BID FORWARD!! Support your favorite CLUB!!!

12/17/2017 6:55:54 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Being the president of a club, I have connections that I did not have many years ago. So it is easy for me to ask a HH for a particular seed. THAT WILL BE PLANTED IN THE SAME GIVEN YEAR. But it is a gamble starting just one seed if you really want to grow that plant, thus the need to buy another seed. I try to support particular clubs, but sometimes it comes down to price. Other times it comes down to timing, as most growers can't be in the auction chat every single night. I typically buy 2 or 3 seeds a year, and they are almost always orange, squash, FP or melons. that's just me though.

12/17/2017 8:29:06 PM

Rhode Island

years ago if someone mentioned pumpkin seeds being sold at auction we would have scratched our heads in wonder.at the time i did.

to my recall jim kuhn and his new hampshire giant pumpkin club was one of the first to hold a auction.
needless to say a trend was set in motion.

growers participate for many reasons. some for support, some for purchase only, some to resell for their auctions,etc.

any way you slice it auctions have helped many clubs gain much needed funds

pap

12/18/2017 11:04:44 AM

Colorado

Ive bought a lot of seeds over the last 10 years. Seeds/genetics are the blood of the hobby.I don't mind spreading some money to support the clubs and its fun predicting the next great cross.I end up giving a lot away,trading some- cause way too many seeds not enough plots. Ive bought a OAF lot every year-great charity and more seeds than one could ever grow.

12/18/2017 11:53:45 AM

Pittsburgh, PA

Never did the math but often wondered how much is actually profited by the club of each auction. I understand the clubs need to raise money and therefore I try to purchase seeds here and there through the auctions but honestly I wish there was another way for the clubs to raise money without the auctions. Some of these auctions are ridiculously long winded. Why people have to wait til a millisecond b4 the gavel is dropped to raise a bid is beyond me and it is maddening. The PVGP auction last night was well over 3 hours long. After a while, I just couldn't take it anymore.

Sorry I got off topic - rant over

12/18/2017 12:32:53 PM

Princeville, IL

Buy more than I should every year but generally not any of the high dollar seeds. Orange and fields for me.

12/18/2017 1:45:42 PM

Eugene,OR

I've bought many seeds from auctions over the years. If we don't support our clubs there will be no money for the programs which they put on...including the contests. If you love competitive giant pumpkin growing, then buying seeds at auction not only supports the clubs, but it gets you the seed stock you want/need to be competitive. It is a basically the definition of a win-win situation.

12/18/2017 1:48:09 PM

Grittyville, WA

Yeah I'm with that... As Vineman said its a win-win hopefully. It's great when they throw in freebies or do trivia to put the fun in fundraiser.

But really seriously... go to your club meetings find out how much your club has, how tthe money is being spent, and if there is a shortage, consider any alternatives (like outside sponsorship?) to make the club viable and happy for everyone.

12/18/2017 2:58:01 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Bubba, have in the past & will this year & in the future! My question is why you don't want folks to know what the prices are? Peace, Wayne
KGPG would not be one of the top notch CC weigh-off's if not for auctions...including results from those auctions!!Serious!!

12/19/2017 12:52:08 AM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

I don't think the club support is the issue here. I think its just far too many seeds available and only X amount of $ to go around.
Dollar for dollar, I would bet the grand total increases every year. Where the problem comes into play is the shear number of Auctions and seed sales.
Way back when we had the first auction Larry Checkon and the Pennsylvania growers that started this, Then it went to what we have today.
34 auctions on line with many double and triple lots, We probably have 15 posted auctions, then we have club seed sales, add in private seed sales and we probably have the equivalent of over 100- 32 lot auctions, Oh yes auctions used to only have 25 lots on average. Now 35-45. This is commerce please and simple. Like it or not It's the way it is. Creative fundraising is a must because we probably maxed out 3 or 4 years ago. It's only going to get leaner.

12/19/2017 5:15:53 PM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

continued from above
I think all auction participants and in fact clubs should really pay attention to what Pap Wallace has in store for the GPC auction coming up.
He has done something different and it is actually geared for the clubs in a round about way. I'm throwing out this teaser just so you do pay attention to his lot configuration when they get posted. Some of the clubs may want to actually participate as buyers. maybe 3 or 4 growers can team up also. It will be one for the ages for sure

12/19/2017 5:31:31 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

Yes, AG seeds are a dime a dozen now. Lot increases are from diverse types of seeds now available that bring in as much, if not more $ than AG's. Tomato's, bushel gourds, ect will fill in the blanks as the AG market floods. Things need to be creative to keep up these days.

12/19/2017 9:13:19 PM

NE Arkansas

I buy stuff all the time. I support alot of clubs a little. I'm subject to say oh! i want that and bid... and then give it away... but i do feel some auctions need to speed up...

12/19/2017 11:16:45 PM

NE Arkansas

But I need to add this... had it not been for a grower selling seeds on eBay I prolly would have never got involved in this.

12/19/2017 11:19:43 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Even though I don't support clubs much anymore, I do miss supporting the Extreme Pumpkin Store.... that was a resource that gave back even when not in the same location.

12/20/2017 8:46:12 AM