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Mokena, IL

GPC Growers 🌱

Take Survey - https://gpc1.org/gpc-membership-survey-2/

See Cindy's Video - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fv86GalQ0ao

We’re exploring a yearly GPC membership program as an investment in the long-term stability and growth of our giant growing community. This would help support key services like real-time leaderboard stats, standardized judging, and international weigh-off coordination—while also expanding grower recognition and supporting events like the International Growers Convention.

Deadline to take survey - May 1, 2026

Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey—your feedback will help shape the future of the GPC.

Thank you for your continued support!

4/16/2026 11:18:34 AM

Connecticut, USA

Thanks for making this survey available to all growers.

Everyone should take a few minutes and let the GPC know your opinions on this important survey.

Does the GPC have plans to publish the results of this survey?

4/20/2026 7:31:59 AM

Knopp, Germany

Has the GPC ever made their decisions available before they made them?

4/20/2026 12:07:35 PM

Knopp, Germany

I have decided to make my point as clear as possible for all growers, new and old. I have been a International Grower since 2001, I am also one of if not the first person to bring a GPC event to Germany, maybe even Europe. I have never been contacted by a International GPC Representative on ideas of what the GPC has planned and how it will affect our weigh offs. I was contacted by Mr. Stelts and for this I thank him. The rules in the early days were not easy, he did his best, however even he could not get everyone on one sheet of paper, not his fault, the idea of a world wide committee is never going to work. Look at all the different professional sports, each country has their own rules and regulations. I will leave this post with this, I, when I was responsible for a site would take a picture of the scales to show they had been calibrated. When was the last time anyone has done that?

4/20/2026 12:29:13 PM

Lloydminster/AB

Requiring membership is to put it politely moronic and would likely end our weighoffs membership in the GPC.

4/20/2026 1:33:47 PM

Grittyville, WA

There could be a very minimal gpc entry fee but for me it would have to be $5 or less. Not to be negative but the PGVG already charges a $20 fee for non members to enter an item at their weigh off. It pays for itself if you win a prize but it hits the newest/smallest growers hardest because they are also the least likely to win a prize. They're out money while the top growers are taking home money. If this seems unfair then it's an interesting problem to solve. I'm glad there is an openness for discussion. Perhaps there could be a follow up survey, I wish the gpc the best in finding good solutions and having a productive dialogue with growers.

4/20/2026 2:08:49 PM

Knopp, Germany

If even 1 dollar is charged for new growers to enter a weigh off the mission of this website is forever done and should be renamed.

4/20/2026 4:20:49 PM

Connecticut, USA

Owen, this website is not owned by the GPC. They posted the link to their survey here so it could be seen by as many growers as possible.

4/20/2026 4:35:43 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

As a weigh off coordinator, I too will have a difficult time even thinking about charging a new grower a weigh off registration fee, and a GPC Member fee for a pumpkin that will not get them any of the prize money, or enough money to cover the cost of gas getting there. I understand the issue, but think consideration of who will benefit from this change is meant for.

4/20/2026 5:49:29 PM

C N Y

I just took it. 2-3 minutes and I suggest you voice
y'all's opinions via the survey, especially, and see
the video, 1:41. eg

[Last edit: 04/20/26 6:43:55 PM]

4/20/2026 6:04:18 PM

Ontario

I've been entering pumpkins, since I was 11. At GPC events since I was 13. (Granted this is only 2018/2020)
If you told 13 year old me to pay extra to go to a GPC event, guess where I would have went? A local fair, a small unsanctioned event where I could take home top prize with 500 pounders, pay for my gas and registration fee, rather than go to a sanctioned event, take home 10th or 15th place, maybe barely cover registration, be out the gas money to travel hours away, and only have the pride of a 15th place.
Instead, I went to a GPC sanctioned event, got a 381 pound squash, and began my journey to hitting 1000 pounds, setting a local fair record, getting on national radio, and now being in a place where I think I have the knowledge, physical ability, and financial ability, to attempt the first 2000 pounder in Ontario!

[Last edit: 04/20/26 6:47:25 PM]

4/20/2026 6:47:14 PM

Ontario

If you try to "paywall" official weights there won't necessarily be fewer growers, but there will certainly be fewer GPC entries. And because of that, GPC sanctioned events will not have as many entries, and therefore fewer spectators. If that happens, there will eventually be fewer GPC events. What's the point of a governing body if it drives organizations under it to be unsanctioned?
The point of the GPC was to have 1 entity regulate weights so as to rightfully crown annual victors.
If that is all youre able to do as the GPC that is a success.
If you are unable to do even that then you have failed...

4/20/2026 6:51:26 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

Moronic? Really? That is your best shot at 'putting it politely? Is it possible for you to disagree without throwing stones at the organization that for the first time ever, surveyed the community? That's ripe.

4/20/2026 7:14:46 PM

Lloydminster/AB

I think moronic is polite as I can state it Kevin. If you are offended you have now categorized yourself for me.

4/20/2026 9:15:56 PM

Tenino, WA.

The GPC started in 1993-33 years ago. The Founding Members were Hugh Wiberg, Danny Dill, Tom Norlin & Mike Green. Charter Members are defined as the founding members and usually those who come on board in the organization's first year.
The founding members set the GPC up as a site based organization not an individual membership organization.
The weigh-offs were just for fun. A competition between sites for bragging rights. No one was ever charge a GPC fee by the GPC to enter an event. Everyone was welcome to bring their pumpkin, field pumpkin, watermelon what ever. There were no GPC fees required, no GPC ribbons, jackets, trophies, patches, belt buckles, there were no annual conferences. No comp airline flights, no comp hotel rooms. The annual conference was provided by the Ottawa growers not a GPC event but all were invited.
It has been years since the board gave a financial report. How about giving a financial report?
I listened to the video if we charge a compulsory membership fee we can do more things for you give you more stuff. I have heard enough political speeches. No Thanks

It is time to give some thought as to the direction the GPC wants to go. Move forward with increased fees or maybe take a step or two back. Do we want to encourage or discourage new and established growers.

4/21/2026 3:40:02 AM

Knopp, Germany

This information is AI generated, I do not know if it is accurate, however it is available in the public domain.

Based on available data, the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC) operates as a nonprofit organization (classified under IRC Section 501(c)(3) as of 2025) dedicated to promoting the cultivation of giant pumpkins and vegetables.

Financial and Organizational Highlights:
Location: Peosta, IA.
Annual Income: Approximately $98K.
Total Assets: Reported at $30K.
Structure: The GPC updated its bylaws in April 2025, requiring the Officer-at-Large to provide an annual financial report.

4/21/2026 6:27:33 AM

Nova Scotia

I would think and hope GPC survey results will show how growers and sites feel about this. My first reaction was a logistics nightmare, I despise paperwork! LOL. Since weigh offs, local contests, and fairs began it usually was all about 1st Place, trophy, ribbon and bragging rights, not so much about money as many entrants received nothing except the opportunity to showcase their season's efforts and participate. Without volunteers we have nothing whether a local fair or national contest. Just stop and think about this for a moment: Back in 1976 my father travelled all the way to Circleville Ohio with a 336 lb. squash for basicaly a ribbon!!! He was not eligible for any prize money because he was not from there. And prize money was no where close as to what it is today. Did this all at his expense away from farm many days etc. Just to compete. Same as the years he went to Churchville, PA (US National Championship) and won with his AG and took home $100 which was nice. But it sure started something as to where we are today. Growers took an interest a fun challenging hobby, sites started to pop up and so forth. As Jack said maybe take a step back or two, catch our breath so to speak. I prefer to keep things simple as
possible but seems to be difficult these days? Danny

4/21/2026 8:46:19 AM

Centennial Colorado

I know that I have posted some things I regret about the GPC in the past. However, I see the value in them now having matured. I do think that requiring every person who enters a weigh-off to be a member gets logistically challenging. Those who do not win prize money may be discouraged from entering in future years. A possible option for reduced expense is for growers who earn a GPC jacket to pay for their jacket. I like that the GPC is trying to reduce reliance on sponsorships, but a membership program may not be the best way to accomplish this. Without knowing the income sources and expenses of the GPC, it was hard to make any specific recommendations in the survey.

4/21/2026 1:07:54 PM

Knopp, Germany

Getting old so it has taken me a bit to read Kens reply. Ken, you are one of when not the best in growing our hobby. I did not mean to say that you supported the organization in question, you have always been, also for me the place to go for all new growers and growers that have been hunting for information to be a better grower. You and your website have always been like a home away from home. Unfortunately this has been used by others. You may not understand or realize it but your website getting new growers started has been taken over. Sure you still control BP.Com but it is without you knowing it (I hope) the bait and hook system. You and your ability to help all has turned into a bait and hook. Your website is the bait, helping all new and inexperienced growers, they love the information here. The hook is just like someone that is a fisherman, which i believe you are. Not for money, it is your hobby. The bait being a benevolent website to teach us how to great pumpkins and the hook being a organization that is only concerned about money. Of course you did not intentionally have a part, but you need to understand that new growers see BP.COM and other organizations as one.

4/21/2026 1:27:41 PM

Connecticut, USA

Thanks for the kind words Owen. I am partners with the GPC and both of us have helped grow this hobby over the years. Although I am not a fan of a general membership fee for the GPC, I do understand their problem. It is my wish to help the GPC solve this problem without the need for such a mandatory fee.

However, we cannot help solve a problem we don't fully understand. A financial report showing all existing income and expenses would be a great start. Perhaps, the GPC cannot have so many awards or a conference every year? Like others have said, without knowing the expenses, it is hard to make recommendations.

4/21/2026 2:31:38 PM

Nova Scotia

Ken you are a partner to every grower out there today! Such a treasure trove of everything since bp beginnings. Onwards and upwards.

4/21/2026 4:45:27 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Perfectly said Ken!

4/22/2026 9:25:57 AM

Wallingford,CT

If you want to see GPC tax returns for the years 2009 through 2019 you can find them at this link
https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/205515728

4/22/2026 1:15:40 PM

Knopp, Germany

What is the problem you are trying to help the GPC solve Ken?

4/22/2026 1:50:18 PM

Wallingford,CT

So inquiring minds may ask, but what about the years after 2019 ? The short answer to that is the GPC Tax Exempt status (501)(3)was revoked on 05-15-2023 “for not filing a Form 990-series return or notice for three consecutive years”. Their Tax Exempt status has since been reinstated but that leaves several years without any financial accountability.

4/22/2026 2:39:00 PM

Westmoreland, KS

Bart you might have missed this Mark already explained that this was an accounting error. The accountant we were using filed the wrong paper work. Mark worked extremely hard over the past year to get our Non Profit status back...Which he did thank you Mark. And if I am correct...I could be wrong but I believe Mark made exactly $0 for his countless hours of work. Hence the word volunteer Thanks again. Also a big shout out to our past GPC Pres and Secretary Pete he worked his ass off helping get our Non Profit status back...For all of you AI lookup nerds I believe Pete also made exactly $0 for all of his work thanks again buddy.

[Last edit: 04/22/26 3:07:14 PM]

4/22/2026 3:01:37 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

To expand on what Jake said, upon renewal The GPC's Tax exempt status was applied retroactively so there are no gaps. Because one of hardest working persons in the GPC put in the time.

4/22/2026 7:17:41 PM

Lloydminster, AB, Canada

Expenses to grow the pumpkins, fuel and travel to get to weigh offs already through the roof, wages not going up, weighoff fees when you arrive, now gpc membership fees? We want more entries not less, especially for new growers. I strongly disagree with this and will not be participating if this goes through. I have asked new growers who I’ve brought to the weighoffs if they would pay a gpc membership fee, each response “I just wouldn’t come to the Weighoffs”.

4/23/2026 12:42:17 PM

Wallingford,CT

Jake, you can attempt to describe it any way you like but failing to file or filing the wrong forms for 3 years is NOT an accounting error. Making entries in the incorrect category or mathematical errors are accounting errors. How much time or effort anyone contributes to rectify the issue is of no consequence to the root problem.

4/23/2026 5:31:03 PM

Westmoreland, KS

Bart are you stepping up to the plate and offering your expertise as a new accountant that's awesome buddy! Or are you upset that we were able to get our tax exempt status back without a hiccup??? Man that must be awful for you.

4/23/2026 5:35:32 PM

Wallingford,CT

good try, drink some more kool-aid

4/24/2026 6:29:04 AM

Maine

The gpc just needs some more of those $2000 tomato seeds to auction off. lol

4/24/2026 7:45:53 AM