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Rhode Island

having been a gpc executive for a few years i am very proud of what the gpc has done since reinventing itself in 2005.
even though i am no longer active in the gpc executive committee i remain very loyal to their programs and interests. it is for that reason i make this post for everyones commentary.
i believe its weather and location that is the biggest factor when determining a growers or clubs chances for success regarding competition at the gpc level.
to that end i would like to suggest that the gpc executive committee examine the possibility of holding
regional competitions. heres an example of what i mean.
everyone knows that weather patterns dont change a whole lot from year to year. growing conditions in one area is no where near what they are in another each and every year.
growers in the northern states dont get the great spring and fall weather while people growing in the south get way to hot.
out west there is a different set of circumstance to deal with, canada depending on the area can be brutal.
im suggesting that the gpc take a look at breaking down the present competitions like most improved site,grower of the year,gpc champion and regional competition,to recognize a winner in each of the different regions?
example for individual awards
most improved regional site
regional grower of the year
regional champion
example for regions ( im sure andy wolf could break it down even better than i )
international/europe
canada southern
canada northern
west coast-usa
ny-pa-southwest-usa
new england-usa
great lakes-usa
central/midwest-usa
it should not matter where you weight it? where you grew it is the determining factor of your regional placement.

thanks
dick wallace

3/9/2009 11:36:22 AM

Western NY

Thanks Dick, lot of good ideas there.

I suppose this is a good time for me to also let everyone know that the 2009 GPC prize list is now up on our website: http://www.greatpumpkincommonwealth.com/prize.php

Of particular note is a new award - the "Master Grower". This will be based on a grower's combined efforts in all categories (Pumpkin, Squash, Field Pumpkin, Tomato, Watermelon, and Long Gourd) using a points system to be as fair as possible. Although I am still finishing the details of the points system, I can say this will put most regions on a level playing field, as it will treat a 200 pound watermelon the same as a 1000 pound pumpkin, for example.

Our "Most Improved Site" award has been one of our best examples of one which shows no favoritism to larger sites, as it is based on the percentage increase of the top 10 averages. So, a site which had a tta of 400 pounds last year and 500 this year scores the same as a site going from 1000 pounds to 1250 as a tta. In fact, the runner up last year (Littleton, CO) was also the 4th place finisher in this category the previous year, something no other site has come close to. It is a testament to the great efforts behind their club to maximize their weights in some of the most harsh conditions out there.

Breaking growers down into regions is a very tough task, but probably not impossible. As a starting point, we could examine the top 10 list compilation (http://ipga.us/TTAPumpkins.htm), and go from there.

We'll take any and all suggestions. We love ideas to work on!

Andy

3/9/2009 1:02:26 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

A idea I have the catagory on region,midwest. How about plain states, then mountain states(like Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Montana,)

Also on the midwest, how about dry and wet states.lol Kansas, neb, ok ,tx, nd,sd, Wet midwest states ex. mo, ill, ind,etc

But I love the idea way to go. Keep up the good work.

3/9/2009 2:08:59 PM

Rhode Island

i realize the gpc cant delute to the point of to many individual areas because it could be a nightmare to administrate.
i do agree with the captain however that some form of regional breakdown could better serve the gpc competition and its member sites and growers.

3/9/2009 6:23:51 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Dick,

Great idea the regional concept. Just look at the pronounced difference between RI & MA/CT/LI. I'm not making excuses for us but there really is something specail about RI that seems to go beyond skill & dedication. Don't get me wrong. You won't find more dedicated or skilled growers than the RI boys, but I really believe the maritime environment combined with that RI sandy loam really favors DAGs.

State by state would be easy enough here in NE but some areas would prove more challenging.

It's a subject worth more discusion.

Anyone else?

3/10/2009 11:12:43 PM

Minnesota

I like the idea for the u.s.a. as north, south, east & west, regions/division, once that is established it could be broke down even more.

4/4/2009 8:53:14 AM

Nicholls Georgia

it would work great i think

4/4/2009 9:20:27 AM