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Oak Grove, Mn

Tom McDowell has responded to my email and he is on board for the first ever "Best Looking Tomato" award. His suggestion is to call it the Alexander Livingston award. This is a grower that back in the late 1800's turned tomatoes into a commercially viable fruit. His efforts helped bring tomatoes to what is so common in our diet today. The award name is still open for discussion, but I feel this is a good suggestion.

Tom has told me he is working on identifying a credible judge. This award will be probably awarded with points for red color and overall tomato character.

Prize is yet to be determined but if any local growers have a tomato that they think looks really pretty, bring it in. If you win the "Livingston" award it will be something special.

Still about a week to make your guess the winning weight at the Gale Woods weighoff. Looks like we won't have Porkchops monster to take first. First place could be really close amongst the Minnesota growers.

Can't wait for next weekend. I hope to see alot of tomatoes entered. Big or Beauty...bring them all in.

9/29/2017 6:30:45 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Rules for the A L award
Must weigh at least 1 pound

9/29/2017 9:44:21 PM

Minnesota

I think the 1 lb minimum is a good idea.

9/29/2017 11:52:38 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I have seen an updated prize list. The Alexander LIvingston prize will be $25 for the person that brings in the "best looking tomato". Should be some very good looking ones out there that weigh at least one pound.

9/30/2017 6:55:47 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

When you say the tomato must be red makes me think back about the original definitions of what was a gourd and what was a pumpkin. There are a lot of tomatoes that are not red. There are also many variations of red such as dark red, light red, pinkish red etc. Imagine a dog show where only black dogs were considered. Hmmmmm, am I thinking too much?

9/30/2017 9:00:57 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

Nobody really knows what the rules will be going forward. This year will be up to the whatever judge is appointed. This is new territory for tomato weighoffs. It is a chance for some of the smaller growers to participate and still have a chance for a prize. Depending how the award goes this year will determine if it goes forward for future years. If it turns into a fight it won't continue. The biggest thing is for us to have fun and enjoy the chance to meet other growers. At this years weigh off the growers can brainstorm and think how to make it better.

9/30/2017 2:57:17 PM

Bloomington, IN USA

I think the Alexander Livingston name for the award is an excellent choice.
It is parallel to the Howard Dill award and it's therefore appropriate that it be for the most beautiful red tomato.
The shade of red that is the most appealing to the judge(s) is the winner.
If you read about A. Hamilton, one of his achievements was producing tomatoes with smooth rounded margins which were considered beautiful.
Congrats Bnot for making it fun!

9/30/2017 4:48:08 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Just my personal (very humble) opinion, but I don't think color should be a qualifier for Pretty. Last year I grew an Orange Tomato (2.2#'s) that would qualify, except for color! Peace, Wayne

10/2/2017 1:12:29 AM

East Carbon, Utah

Having raised over 2,000 varieties, with at least 400 of those topping 1 lb., I've encountered a wide array of "beautiful" tomatoes that are not the standard red, round, smooth, slightly flattened - and frankly somewhat boring looking tomatoes. Deeply fluted yellow hearts; very flattened scalloped bi-colored; piriform orange fruits, green-when-ripe with gorgeous sunbursts, and on and on. Marv makes a great point about black dogs. "Beauty" is so subjective, and often is in the eye of the beholder. I once entered an ugly tomato contest and thought for sure I had the winner. Nope - finished like 6th place. Good luck trying to come up with objective criteria for "beautiful" while justifying the exclusion of varieties like Virginia Sweets!

10/8/2017 4:04:00 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

We didn't have any problem with the Alexander Livingston award. There were no arguments and everyone seemed to enjoy it. The judge was one of the park employees. The only criteria...she had to pick the one that she thought looked most beautiful. She chose quickly...I think she felt that deep red was the best looking. Next year, depending on the judge...it could be completely different.Maybe they will like a more interesting color combination. With only a week from deciding to have this prize until the weigh-off was not really enough time for the growers to bring in what they are capable of for beauty. Next year, I will have to grow a few plants just for the potential beauty. With only a 1 pound minimum weight..there could be a many choices for potential variety.

I don't think we need to over think this award...just need to try to grow what we think might be beautiful and hope that the judge has the same sense of beauty.

This is to be a fun award...not for something to create controversary

10/8/2017 8:31:37 AM