From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Ut

So who keeps state records? I called the state fair and they don’t. We have a pumpkin growing society and they don’t keep records for watermelons. Nor could either of these groups tell me who to call. I’d like to know what our state record is- maybe there isn’t one? Any thoughts?

8/30/2011 6:05:46 PM

Ut

Big Papi has me thinking about it since he took Vermont with 101 and I'm measureing a ways over 100 lbs according to chart and still growing.

8/30/2011 6:08:28 PM

Alabama

Contact the USDA office in your state or the local County Extension Agent if you have one.

8/30/2011 7:35:35 PM

Ut

Thanks Cliff. Congrats on your big win by the way. That was exciting to follow. -Kyle

8/30/2011 8:01:35 PM

Jamul

I tried the California state ag board and local county department. No one had that state record data. I was told to contact the National Watermelon Promotion Office in Florida!
Growing these things just isn't big out here...which means I could be in the ballpark with the couple of 150ish melons I have. Could be nowhere close.

8/30/2011 9:20:19 PM

Jamul

http://www.watermelon.org/

8/30/2011 9:23:02 PM

Bowdon, GA

Same here in GA (nobody knows)maybe the GWG could keep up with it?

8/30/2011 10:27:20 PM

Muddy Waters

Nobody keeps records!State employees dont care its just a job to them!You will have to find an old farmer,whos gone for the last 40 years & ask them.

8/31/2011 5:50:31 AM

Watervalley Ms

This is what i did (GOT IT WEIGHED ON CERTIFIED SCALES) had some witnesses verfied the weight and that it was weighed on certfied scales ,had them sign and got it notarized,and put it in my local chamber of commerce. That was what i was told to do.

8/31/2011 6:24:09 AM

Watervalley Ms

I also sent a copy of the notary to largest melon producing county in the state.

8/31/2011 6:30:15 AM

Muddy Waters

Take it to a GPC site! They keep records!!

8/31/2011 6:45:28 AM

Trinity River Bottom

Seems there are no records kept here in Texas either..I plan on just claiming it thru one of our papers... See if anyone disputes it..lol

8/31/2011 8:30:05 AM

Lexington,IN

Get an interview with a local newspaper, picture included and in the interview say something like "No one could tell me what the Utah record is for heaviest watermelon. Therefore since this is the biggest I have heard of being produced in Utah, I am claiming this as the new Utah record". If you are wrong, the person who grew a bigger one will challenge you, if not, I say you got the record...Good Luck!

8/31/2011 10:28:41 AM

Ut

Very good, thankyou everyone. I called a dozen agencies and have an email out to GWGs. Nothing yet so I bet there's no record. I like the newspaper and notary ideas. If it comes to that I think I'll wait till I grow one over 200 pounds though(or 300!) so I have something worth barking over. Right now I really just wanted to see what the target is. Next year...

8/31/2011 2:07:54 PM

sevierville, Tn

Kyle, Only records for melons seem to be the GPC & James White has a database too. We were trying to get something (GWG & GPC) online. Maybe we will this winter when the seasons over (Andy ??)

Some states probally do, but mostly here in the south.

This is in answer to your GWG email, i posted it here as it is of interest to all.

8/31/2011 3:06:24 PM

sevierville, Tn

here is a link to the gpc sites worldwide

http://greatpumpkincommonwealth.com/territory.php

you can chose by area or date

8/31/2011 3:08:07 PM

sevierville, Tn

There doesn't seem to be any entries in the GPC since 2005 for melons from Utah. Now there are probally ones weighed at state/local fairs.

8/31/2011 3:15:14 PM

Ut

Thanks Chris. Yes that would be great to just have them listed on the site by state and by world record. Not that you know anything about world records right:) It looks like if(when) I get a really good one one of these years I'm headed to Colorado.

8/31/2011 5:21:33 PM

Lexington, Ky

Gordon Tanner might be the one to contact there. The IGPA site shows a vacancy for the Utah watermelon record. Your State Fair might be a source of past weights.

8/31/2011 5:53:19 PM

Jamul

Watermelondentist, I have had the same thought about not wanting a small state record melon. On the other hand it gives people something to beat no matter what it is, and could generate more interest/fun? In California's case, thanks to this thread, I was able to find that someone grew one at least as big as 168.5. That was found by following the link Chris gave.

8/31/2011 10:46:11 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Chris...sorta sounds like the "new" GWG site is gonna have to step up & do this!!! I know it's a big deal!!! But, I sorta think that you's guy's have the "How to" to get it done!!! One more auction, hire a webmaster to collect "awl the facts"!!! Peace, Wayne

9/1/2011 1:21:31 AM

Jamul

I agree with, Wayne!

9/1/2011 10:09:49 AM

Ut

Absolutely. In addition to keeping the records posted on the site for each state, you could consider allowing certain groups willing to follow specific requirements to weigh and certify melons not able to get to a GPC site. For example you could allow our local pumpkin group (Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers) to weigh and certify melons to be posted on your site. Of course you’d only do this for trusted organizations willing to follow certain standards, and maybe if it’s a world record we would need to take it to a GPC site. You could even include photos of the taping if needed, and a form to fill out and have signed. Just a thought. It would allow melons to get weighed and entered without driving to another state for many of us. It may be more administration than you want, but you can let the motivated growers do much of the work. For example I would be the one to contact my local pumpkin society and get them to comply to your guidelines etc... What say ye? Maybe one day?

9/1/2011 2:12:08 PM

Ut

and this would get more small melons logged that aren't worth driving 10 hours so people will have something to beat and help create interest, as Rustico suggested

9/1/2011 2:18:17 PM

sevierville, Tn

Its on the winter to do list ;)

9/1/2011 2:45:51 PM

formerly RGG

Thanks Chris. I think this will help promote the Giant Watermelon Growers Club. It should help bring in a lot of new members, especially from other countries. Let's keep the club moving forward and expanding. I am glad you founding members are looking to the future and keeping it a dynamic organization.

9/1/2011 5:02:31 PM

Ut

Very good. All in favor of declaring the GWG as the official records holder for giant watermelons grown on or in close proximity to planet earth say aye. Aye. Giant watermelon growers of the world unite and take over. Let me know what I can do. I suppose I can start by becoming a member.

9/1/2011 11:39:22 PM

sevierville, Tn

I say we limit it to earth for the time being, Mars can have their own GWG. MGWG etc ;)

9/2/2011 2:24:09 PM

Muddy Waters

We can even narrow it down smaller than that.North & south Pole not included in Global Weigh -off!

9/2/2011 7:42:56 PM

formerly RGG

I agree Mark and let's leave out all the oceans while we're at it! lol

9/2/2011 9:45:07 PM

Ut

Fine, I wanted to put ‘of the whole universe’ on the end of everything, but we can narrow it down for now. But I want our own message board and a t-shirt that says, “pumpkin growers don’t have any melons”. I’m not sure exactly what that means, but it's good right? :) I'm designing it as we speak- my first great contribution to melonhood.

9/3/2011 3:33:15 PM

formerly RGG

That's good Kyle. Also,I think we need a ball cap that reads "Giant Watermelon Growers" or "Giant Watermelon Growers Club" or perhaps " I Grow Big Pink Melons". :-)

9/3/2011 5:43:47 PM

Bowdon, GA

I want a weigh off on Jupiter. I might could grow a heavy melon where there is increased gravitational force.

9/6/2011 10:29:21 PM

Ut

Now you’re talking. With a little math I figure my melon would be right around 300 pounds on Jupiter! Do you accept melons weighed on Certified Scales for Jupiter? That makes me the solar system record holder- sorry yal.

9/7/2011 12:14:23 PM