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Mastic Beach, New York

What are the benefits?

1/5/2008 12:21:20 PM

Rhode Island

billy

glad you asked

mainly i see the gpc benefits as a governing body where by all site weigh-offs follow a standard set of rules and regulations.
if you weigh-off at a gpc site and someone bests you at another gpc site? you know it was on the up and up.
presently the gpc is expanding very rapidly going to close to 60 sites in 2007 from a starting point of 24 in 2005

a major expansion is also being undertaken in canada and europe as well

also --- the gpc awards many different individuals for their accomplishmebts each year. plus ribbons,hd award, green swuash awards are also available at the sites

id suggest looking up the gpc on this site as well. everything is listed

pap

1/5/2008 1:52:50 PM

Santa Rosa California

i like the fact there are prizes for prettiest pumpkin and other prizes not just for weight it must make it easier to bring an pumpkin to i hope that are local fair will become an gpc weigh off or half moon bay

1/5/2008 2:03:21 PM

Sparta, NC

Our weighoff is one of the newer GPC sites. I think it helps that everyone is following the same set of rules and regulations. You also enter your info from the weighoff and its posted here on BP. Plus the awards that pap mentioned above. It may also help attract growers from different areas other than local growers to your weighoff.

1/5/2008 2:07:09 PM

Dresden, Ohio

Is there a website where you can find all of the GPC sites? Thanks.

1/5/2008 2:43:17 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Sambo, us here in Ky. were a 1st year GPC site also...nice set of ribbons, and way better turn out than we expected...GPC makes it a level playing field...hope we can grow as the GPC grows!!!
PS...billy....great set of ribbons for 1-10 at your weigh off plus one for prettiest...your weighoff decides how to give that one, and one for heaviest true green squash. And a big giant GPC banner to display!!! Peace, Wayne

1/5/2008 2:44:13 PM

Western NY

An interactive map of 2007 GPC sites can be found here:

http://www.zeemaps.com/map.do?group=31672

I will be updating the information found here for 2008 sometime in March, and all changes will hopefully be finished by July at the site renewal deadline. This will also be incorporated into the GPC website, which is currently being retooled.

Billy - give me a call if you have any questions.

Andy

1/5/2008 2:53:04 PM

Dresden, Ohio

Thanks Andy!

1/5/2008 4:16:28 PM

Connecticut, USA

Or you could even click the big GPC logo on the home page of this site. That might work.

1/5/2008 4:30:12 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Sorta thinkin(usually gets me in trouble), Ken D., is da MAN!!!.. also Andy, sorta thinin that KGPGA will movin up to the top level...in '08!!! Peace, Wayne

1/5/2008 6:22:17 PM

Commack, NY

Are there any plans for:
1) bringing back the first place plaques for each site?
2) awarding additional prize monies say from 1st place down to ...... as opposed to just the top grower in the gpc and the grower with the highest weight for there biggest 3 pumpkins?

Many of those 60 sites wont have a snowballs chance in hell of ever having a grower coming in first place out of the entire gpc, or having the three largest pumpkins. Sure that site fee goes to the cost of the ribbons, and the banner, and on some level its nice to be part of something big, but (and this is not a shot at anyone) it seems that a big chunk of all that $$ is invariably going to end up with the guys that are in the upper echelon of our sport. Im not saying they didnt earn every penny of it, they sure as hell did, but what about all of your regular growers in other states that realistically have little if any chance to be the top dog?, what is their motivation to be part of the gpc?
many independent sites use modified versions of gpc rules, along with certified scales and witnesses, aside from being part of a larger organization, and having the same banner and ribbons, what would be the benefits?

1/5/2008 9:09:15 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

GPC site fees are way too low for us to start paying for the site prizes. At Penfield we shell out $1000, 750 & 500 for Pumpkins & another $950 for Squash. That's $3200. We pay the GPC the highest level which is just $300 but in return we get beautiful ribbons & other benefits.

As a GPC Committee Member I can assure you that we don't currently have the resources to pay additional site awards even though we really wish we could.

Your current GPC board members have some lofty goals to make sure there is "added value" in patronizing GPC sites. For the current situation we think that most growers are satisfied in playing in the big league rather than the bush league & that isn't meant to be a shot at the local ag fairs. But it is what it is. Growers who go to GPC weigh-offs know that they're competing against the strongest players in a prestigious setting that is run by a qualified staff. They'll be ranked among the finest growers in the world. And that seems to be the point.

Look here:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/WeighoffResultsGPC.aspx?c=P&y=2007

There are 1379 pumpkins listed here representing the seasonal results of a LOT of growers. Yeah, I only ranked 399 & 560 but only I can fix that. LOL Ranking higher at a lower level contest isn't going to make me feel better. Indeed I think I'd feel cheap.

1/5/2008 9:46:55 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I applaud the efforts of the GPC and its committee members. The GPC is invaluable in promoting the hobby of growing giant pumpkins.

The only problem I have with GPC-sanctioned weigh-offs is that anybody in the world can come to your weigh-off and take the top prize money. Not only that, but one grower can go to several sites and take ALL the top prize money.

I'm not a heavy-hitter in any sense of the term, but I put in a lot of time, effort, and research into this insane pursuit and don't relish the thought of being beaten at a weigh-off in Ohio by someone from, say, the state of Washington.

My personal goal from the very moment I decided to give growing AG's a try was to win Circleville, which happens to be a non-GPC site. It remains my goal. Circleville represents the growers from the local area and has a very rich history dating back to the early part of the century. This is why, if I have any say-so at all, Circleville will never be GPC-sanctioned until the GPC allows us to keep our current rules intact.

I weigh at the SOGPG site as well, but my largest will always be weighed at Circleville. Circleville uses the same certified scales as most other weigh-offs, so no one can say the results are skewed. Not only that, but some very esteemed growers such as Dr. Bob Liggett, Ken Speakman, and Buddy Conley also weigh their largest pumpkins there. It isn't about the money.

If I have a mistaken idea about the GPC here or if anything I've stated is not true, then someone chime in and set me straight.

1/5/2008 10:18:24 PM

Clinton, Iowa

Hey Giant pumpkin dude
I do believe what you have stated is true EXCEPT when it comes to Topsfield . They are GPC but I don;t believe the rules apply to them for letting someone from another state (other then "New England" ) like you mentioned say Washington come in and weigh and Win. I do believe this was addressed and or was planning on being addressed in the future. Not sure where it stands for 2008 but it will be interesting to see how that plays out. Anyone know where that stands as far as the Topsfield weigh off goes? Thanks
DAN
Ps I know this is a long standing weigh off and has been this way for years. not stiring an stuff up yet . just knew there were some issues in 2007 and I think I heard the rules were going to be revisited for this GPC site.??

1/5/2008 10:37:28 PM

Western NY

Joe - you are correct, and I believe many of the points you touched on are reasons this thread had started.

Danny - yes, Topsfield had been in somewhat of a gray area regarding this. Under GPC rules, they should let anyone in, however, nobody had tested it, even after it came up as a topic last fall.

One way or another, this will be addressed in black and white before spring. Discussions such as this help.

1/5/2008 10:42:51 PM

Commack, NY

perhaps it wasnt clear in my above post, so let me clarify. i never thought for one minute that the gpc should pay for the individual site prizes, but paying down to say 20th place in the gpc overall,(this is in addition to whatever the local site pays in prize) gives your average joe, (whose last name isnt pukos or jutras) something to shoot for, (aside from being the biggest in the world), which realistically is out of reach for probably 99% of the people out there that put a seed in the ground.

Its been my understanding that the GPC as an organization currently only pays monies to the person that comes in first in the GPC overall, and to the person who has the three largest fruit combined at different GPC weighoffs.

Correct me if im wrong, but if i went to a GPC weighoff site in 2007, and i received $100 for first place from my local venue and i grew a 1688.......basically all i would have gotten is my $100, correct?

The GPC is an ever-evolving organization. Alot of changes have been made in the last few years, and most of them have been for the better, but like anything else, there is always room for improvement.

Half moon bay isnt gpc, do you not have some of the strongest players in the world there? sure you do. is it not a prestigous setting? sure it is. Its been around for over 35 years, they dont have a qualified staff? I dont think anyone here would refer to HMB as "bush league".

for the record, im not looking to take on the masses here, im just trying to interject some other thoughts, which may, or may not result in a positive response from others with the ability to make change happen. I have in the past competed at GPC events and have nothing against it, but i can get my butt kicked by the best in the world whether its gpc or not. a sound pumpkin on a certified scale with witnesses is still a sound pumpkin on a certified scale with witnesses, gpc or not.

1/5/2008 10:42:56 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

My own weigh-off pays the first two places to out of state growers every year. To be blunt, RI rocks CT at the scales. Some of our guys complain that we do all this fund raising only to pay it to RI growers. My come back? Grow bigger pumpkins. Winning is more fun than crying even if it does take more effort.

The GPC will be revisiting the "out of towner" rules this winter. Some folks will be happy, others won't. But it will be the same for all sites whether they like the rule or not. There have been some misunderstandings but fair is fair.

1/5/2008 10:50:19 PM

Commack, NY

Joe,
well said, and i couldnt agree more, and as Andy touched on, what you stated was part of the impetus for this thread in the first place.

1/5/2008 10:52:40 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Scott

If you grew a 1688 & took it to a local ag fair for $100 then you deserve every bit of the beating you got. LOL Seriously though, there are other prizes & plaques. Look here:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Attachments/GPC_LevelsRulesPrizes2007.pdf

Your idea about expanding the NUMBER of payouts makes sense if we have the cash to pull it off.

We have a Committee Meeting tomorrow morning. I'll bring it up.

1/5/2008 11:03:53 PM

Commack, NY

Maybe it might be a good idea for whoever is interested, to post what they would like to see at a GPC sanctioned event to make there experience a better one. I think that some good points have been touched upon so far. Obviously not every suggestion can be implemented, but there are alot of voices out there with im sure some really great ideas that maybe heavn't been heard.

1/5/2008 11:19:30 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Very good thread going here. Thanks Andy, Scott, Steve, and Dan. Maybe some issues can be aired out here and improvements made. You're all great guys.

1/5/2008 11:47:20 PM

Colorado

scott a. good idea.everyone involved in the gpc has the best interests of the sport hobby as their main objective.a what would be good from the gpc thread is a great idea. sinc. joe scherber

1/6/2008 12:26:31 AM

Steve, Your statement "Some folks will be happy, others won't. But it will be the same for all sites whether they like the rule or not" conflicts with the President of the GPC's wise Statement

"The Topsfield Fair is a charter member of the GPC and has been a valued weigh-off site scince the GPC's inception. This issue will be revisited in the winter with the Topsfield Fair board and I feel confident a mutually acceptable agreement can be reached" http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=213217

"The GPC gives each site the flexibility to have prize money and payouts as they chose". That's the compromise.

Your club can do as it chooses. Topsfield that's been around since 1818 can do as it chooses.

1/6/2008 12:33:27 AM

Mastic Beach, New York

this tread had nothing to do about money..SCOTT .was gonna show vinny the bensfits of the GPC (wieght off side of view).2 local heavy hitters was taking the year off, i figure we could draw couple growers from CT OR RI to help with a bigger turn out and please Vinny..not everything should be about you..you said your taking the year off competitive? I was gonna lay out (outa pocket) to pay for ribbons/small trophies to help keep the other growers interested to come back year after year....well that idea got thrown out with todays garbage!

1/6/2008 10:07:35 AM

Commack, NY

Billy,
what are you talking about?

first off i DID offer to pay for ribbons out of my own pocket for this years' weighoff, Vinny said he would take care of it. He never did, how does that have anything to do with me? or any particular days' garbage for that matter?

Secondly, who was the one that bought the wireless
Microphone that we used at the weighoff? Me, out of my own pocket. I also brought the lifting ring and straps.

What exacly was it that you did to help the weighoff?

oh yeah, now i remember, you went behind my back to Hicks to circumvent my views on going GPC or not. I provided you with my concerns the other night on the phone, and asked you to come up with reasons why this is a good idea. you couldnt come up with your own, so you posted this thread. If you dont think im being impartial about this, i'll be happy to forward you the email that i sent to vinny regarding GPC. He inquired, and i responded, in a professional manner.

Isn't it interesting that the exact same concerns that i brought to your attention the other night are the same ones that surfaced in this thread?

im TRYING to be constructive about this, and possibly make this a better situation for everyone, not just our local weighoff, and you go and personally/publicly bash me.?

that's very thoughtful of you, considering that you have done NOTHING to help. Unless of course you consider going behind my back to vinny, under the guise of "well i knew you were busy, so i was trying to help" as helping.
so why exactly was it then that you didnt call me and tell me thats what you were going to do? Considering that ive been the contact person since day one?

1/6/2008 11:29:35 AM

Commack, NY

you're right billy, its not about money......but just out of curiousty, why exactly was it that you didnt show up at hicks a few years back? WE were all trying to get the weighoff going, WE all did our part to put on a good show, and you were mysteriously nowhere to be found? i wonder if that had anything to do with the fact that you knew you wouldnt be in the money? And im supposed to believe that when the big boys show up with there "small" pumpkins to compete for the top grower award, pushing ALL of us out of the money, that you're going to participate? Gimme a break Billy.
If you want to make this better, we should all work together. you going behind my back doesnt help. you bashing me in a public forum doesnt help.

1/6/2008 11:29:57 AM

Western NY

Before this gets out of hand, I believe the site owner should be contacted for his opinion on what he wants the guiding philosophy of his site to be. He/she/they will always be an important key in any site.

1/6/2008 12:47:29 PM

Mastic Beach, New York

Scott i never went behind anybody back...i never talk to vinny about gpc..hell ask Andy if i ever contacted him about gpc weight off..because my wife was looking into matter!she was trying to help..i brought my tarp and straps to help load pumpkins,but you were useing yours. you never told me about the ribbons,i was coming up with my idea.so i was bashing you on that! at the weight off did you ask me to do anything?NO i thought i was helping with loading and unloading pumpkins on the scale..and telling the guys which pumpkin take next..talking about bashing someone..you cant tell me which weight off to go to!bring the same pumpkin to the next weighoff is no fun! still cant see where i bashing you?

1/6/2008 1:08:48 PM

Ohio

i have one question. Wasnt the GPC started as a governing body? To try to make all the rules the same from weigh-off to weigh-off?

This was to keep the people from cheating,to make it fair for all of us.From site to site. They,The GPC are a group of guys that just want to see the pumpkin growing sport grow. So they set the rules, color,fruit health, how deep the cracks can be so on and so on

So i think everone is depending on the GPC to much. At least for money anyway. I say if you want rules changed or dont like the "other guys" coming in and kickin your butt. Then dont join the GPC. NO one said you had to.

You can be like the Circlville Pummpkin Show, Do it you own way! The Gpc will never please everyone, They are here to just set the guidelines for which we can run our weigh-offs

1/6/2008 1:24:05 PM

Commack, NY

At the end of the day, its up to Hicks to decide which direction to go in. End of story. Whatever the decision, i will still participate, and strategize accordingly.

I never told you where to take your pumpkins, and there were only a couple of fruit this year that were previously weighed, which was to get more fruit there, plain and simple....incidentally NONE of them were mine, however, i agree with decision, it's within our rules, and support it 100%.

okay, so you didnt go behind my back, Krista did, that's much better. By you not telling me, considering my involvment with the development of this site from the very beginning, is going behind my back, case closed. "helping".....that's the biggest joke of all time, for if it were truly helping, we would have and should have done it together. You did, oh im sorry, Krista did what she did becuase my opinion differred from your own. As i told you the other day, i am prepared to, and will give both sides of the opinion when asked.

You could have "helped' a few years ago, but decided instead to stay home when you knew you wouldnt be in the money.

1/6/2008 1:42:54 PM

Mastic Beach, New York

You could have "helped' a few years ago, but decided instead to stay home when you knew you wouldnt be in the money...nope that wasnt it...it was because you posted a partial list of winners ,only top 4. how about the growers that were there..forgotten about..never to be seen again

1/6/2008 2:41:09 PM

Commack, NY

you can be part of the problem, or part of the solution, the choice is yours, im done with this petty BS

1/6/2008 2:46:46 PM

Frankfort Ohio

Everyone has its own idea of how to run weighoff sites sense the gpc has started the pumpkin growing has gotten alot better one is because of the teaching of growing and the other the rules set in place . The amount of growers has grown ten fold . that means growers are trying harder and spending more to compete that is what its about working harder to get the pumpkins bigger in the past there has been cheeting at Circleville thats why rules are there GPC RULES to exact! The pumpkinshow will never be aGPC site either I love the Pumpkin Show But ! it is diffrent and that is a good reason .

1/6/2008 4:49:40 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Amen Tony!

1/6/2008 6:59:19 PM

Utah

Steve said "Grow bigger pumpkins."... easy for you to say.

at least you live in an area where it is possible to compete for GPC prize money... many growers don't, myself included.

1/9/2008 12:30:13 AM