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Team Munson

In 2005 Ken D. made a program that made it possible to enter all the information at the weigh-off site that could be up loaded to this site for public viewing. In the 8 years that have passed Ken in conjunction with the GPC has worked tirelessly to make the execution of this program as easy as possible for all to use.

It amazes me that the the growers & sites know that filling this information out COMPLETELY & ACURATLY with in 24 hours after completion of the sites weigh-off is the progam no questions. Yet here we are year after year waiting on sites to even get the basics (growers name & weight) for weeks after the weigh-off is complete. Please remember that prior to 2005 all results had to hand written & faxed in as soon as the weigh-off was complete or they did not get credit for their weights.

Now more than ever with the AGGC taking a year off the community needs this information to done completely. Help us help you to capture all results and statistics so we can fill the void of information the AGGC will leave this year.

When you get to a site do not wait to see who is gathering the information, measuring pumpkins, filling in the BP spread sheet... be proactive & find out who is in charge of this & ensure it is getting done & uploaded at the site.

If you have a site that does not have info on BP call them & find out why:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/WeighoffSiteList.aspx?y=2012&st=GPC

Thank you for taking time to feel our pain,
The GPC Executive Committee

9/12/2012 9:13:43 AM

Wi

Cmon folks help them out. There is ZERO reason not to fill in the spreadsheet in REAL TIME at the weigh-off!

9/12/2012 9:45:11 AM

i was given given some gpc newsletters from early days, back before the interent was ever thought of
reading thru them you had 4 hours after weighoff completed to report in results.

9/12/2012 9:51:12 AM

Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada

Port Elgin has not received the BP program for the 2012 year. Will it be coming soon?

9/12/2012 10:11:56 AM

Western NY

Ken has been emailing the software out. He is pre-loading grower info from the previous year, and with some additional tweaks, I must say the new software version is going to be MUCH easier on the person doing the typing now. I would expect the weighoffs for the weekend of the 29th to be receiving their emails starting early next week.

9/12/2012 10:22:23 AM

I have used the software in its early years, and it is not very difficult. With a little help, even someone that is not very into computers/spreadsheets/software installation should have no problem. I have not used the software in recent years, but it sounds like it's getting improved.

I am guessing that some sites simply don't have internet access, or perhaps don't have members that are as interested as "staying connected" online as some other sites do. But, when you sign up for the GPC, there are requirements and rules, as with any organization. Sometimes special coordination and planning needs to be made to get the data online, and that's all a part of the GPC weigh off process.
The GPC has chosen to modernize the weigh off data with the use of the internet. Personally, I think it's progressive and needs to be embraced.
Even if some aren't as into BP, the internet, sharing their pumpkin growing online, etc., that's fine and it's a personal choice. However, the rules and requirements that they chose to be a part of still need to be followed.

9/12/2012 10:56:59 AM

Connecticut, USA

Yes, I am in the process of setting up and sending out the software for the 2012 sites. With nearly 100 sites, it is time consuming to pre-load growers from last year and test each site. This too will be further automated in time. As Dave said, we make it better every year.

Sally, I thought you were going to send Excel files again this year for the Port Elgin weighoffs?

9/12/2012 12:39:58 PM

Jericho Vermont

I understand your concerns Dave as a Non paid President of an organization I am happy to be part of. I also do my best every year to get as much in depth information from our Vermont growers as possible to enter in to a very nice laid out database. But I do want to make a couple of points as well.
Technology and time:
Our weigh off is at an outdoor venue that does not have wifi and we don't have the appropriate tools to enter data efficiently during the event. After the weigh off we support a club gathering at a restaurant followed by a charity regatta that takes up the next day. So best case for me is evenings the next week to data enter along with the regular busy life chores.
It is what it is:
I am guessing over 50% of the growers weighing in at our weigh off have little idea of the exact seed and the cross (that is if they actually protected the cross)
I am a passionate grower of our hobby and love data as much as the next person. But there are variables out of our control.
My two cents!
John

9/12/2012 2:06:39 PM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

Anybody bringing a pumpkin to a GPC weigh-off, should add their personal information, and as much information about the pumpkin they brought to registration page here on BP..
At the end of a long day, it will make it easier on the person doing the uploading

9/12/2012 2:43:22 PM

Team Munson

John if 1 person attending the weigh-off has a laptop you can down load the progam on it. Take your lap top to the site enter the data & sinc to the web when you have internet connection. With many places now having Wifi for free it is possible to up load your results while socializing with your friends. At the very least it would take 5 minutes or less when you get home to connect to the internet & sync to the web.

If you do not have all the information then only enter what you have we understand you can't squeeze blood from a turnip. The responsibility to the GPC & the growing community is to have a system in place at the site to register all pumpkins & collect all the asked for data you can & enter it in a timely manner.

If you are having issues getting the organizational end of your weigh-off prepared so you can execute this process please feel free to contact myself or any GPC committee memember. We will be glad to help with ideas & tips that have proven effective over the years.

9/12/2012 4:48:06 PM

Wi

How do I get the software? My weigh off is next week.

9/12/2012 9:47:06 PM

do you remember filling out the gpc application and filling it in 100% and sending it back to me thats what we go from

9/12/2012 10:11:38 PM

Connecticut, USA

Leines, you will be getting an email from me with the details within a day or so for your weigh-off on 9/22.

9/13/2012 5:52:10 AM

Muddy Waters

Yes I had thought of growing a kin or two on the AGC list,but when I researched the Kin there were no stats on it.So I will not grow that kin.If you want your giants grown by more people make sure your weigh -off is doing there job.Theres a guy on every corner with a laptop or the skills to do this within a couple days,just ask around for help.Theres people who love to help out a worthy cause if asked.I myself ask at every weigh-off.Whos taking stats??

9/13/2012 5:54:28 AM

Cologne Brescia Italy

Sorry i was in 48 hours of delay
We don't have a internet connettion in our
Weght off site, but now we work for to have
It for the new year
Also i forgot to take a part of the paper were
Was write some informatio at the end of the weight off. ( measures for to
be' right) so i got to take one more day for to post everything in GPC
Sorry!! And Sorry for my english too
Sergio festa della zucca di sale italy

9/13/2012 10:24:43 AM

President - GPC

ThankZ sergio!

9/13/2012 12:42:30 PM

Polson, Montana

We do not have wi fi close to the weigh off but I can do it with the little gadget from Verizon that does via my cell phone. First year gonna give it a try.

9/13/2012 10:09:44 PM

Team Munson

Please remember the person in charge of the BP spread sheet for each site is responsible for inputing the data & uploading the results. That does not mean they have to do it personally but rather they will be the ones that the GPC will contact for incomplete results.

This person should have access to a laptop or know a person who will let them use one, down load the program to the laptop. You can then take the lap top to the site enter all the data at the site then sync to the web when you get home. The only requirement at the site for this process is electric in case the battery runs low.

Fellow growers we need to stop making excuses & start creating answers this is the program please embrace it & make it happen.

9/14/2012 8:52:50 AM

Cologne Brescia Italy

Ok!!

9/14/2012 9:36:45 AM

Wi

Ken I still have not received the software. Thanks
Chad octoberfestpumpkins@gmail.com

9/16/2012 10:37:06 PM

Connecticut, USA

Chad, email me directly. I sent it to the email address you have registered on this website.
ken@bigpumpkins.com

9/17/2012 2:47:34 PM