Re: INDIANA STATE RECORD/ Integrity ?
WOW What happen when I go to class and work in the field for a while. There
are so many stupid emails I dont have time to read them all.
Delete.Delete.Delete...........
My thoughts on my pumpkin are obviously not important, but I have a few
comments just so I feel better.
It would have been nice had my pumpkin even fit in the lifter device(I guess
that one is 100% my fault:-). Had it fit, we probably wouldnt be having this
discussion today. The pumpkin was hoisted out of the field the night before.
It was rainy, and cold. We were as careful with it as possible, but it did
get quite a jostle. We had lifted it with a homemade lifter just like the
one that was used on everyone but my and Brad's fruit, but with handles
attached to a strap instead of straps attached to a central ring. If we had
used the lifter I dont feel the bottom would have given out, because when we
rocked it up for the judge to inspect the bottom, it should have given out
then if it was going to.
Reason we picked my pumpkin:
The pumpkin was growing 15-20 lbs a day when I severed the main vine(severed
at 1006 est). At about 950 lbs estimate, it began to develop a dill ring.
Every so slowly, over the next 3 or 4 days, I decided to sever the vine and
"take the state record and run" I did not like the way the dill ring was
developing. I had just seen what a devastating affect a virtually unseeable
dill ring had done to someone that has helped me greatly through the season.
Now for this whole state record debate. Do I agree with the IPGA ruling? NO
But.......Who really cares? I dont!! It doesnt make one bit of difference
who rules what to me. The judge certified it, so it is an Indiana state
record, whether or not anyone likes it. At first I really kinda cared about
the IPGA recognizing it, but now my pumpkin has been degraded to the point
where it doesnt matter to me. I am 20 years old, and have already proved
myself as a grower. That makes me feel very good about my accomplishments.
Next year will be no different than this year(unless we get our seemingly
annual hail storm....lol). To me what is the difference of whether or not I
get the state record this year or next year(assuming I can do it again). If
all goes well, I may get a fruit that weighs over the state record on Oct 5
anyway.
Please dont clog up the list anymore. Instead of bickering or whatever, go
to work and make a few extra bucks, and send it to Africa to feed some hungry
kid. Do something that really matters in the whole scheme of things.
Tom Beachy
End of Topic
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