Oregon grower shatters state pumpkin record at California weigh-off

Jim Sherwood of Mulino, Oregon, set a new Oregon pumpkin record Saturday with a 2,613-pound giant at the National Pumpkin Weigh Off in Wheatland, California. The event handed out more than $100,000 in prizes and drew growers from across the U.S. and abroad.

Why it matters: - The National Pumpkin Weigh Off remains one of the biggest competitions in giant produce, with more than $100,000 in prize money and a growing draw for growers nationwide. - Sherwood’s win set a new Oregon state record and marked the heaviest pumpkin in the U.S. this season. - The event also pushed youth participation, cash prizes for multiple vegetable categories and regional ag-tourism traffic at Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm.

What happened: - Jim Sherwood of Mulino, Oregon, won first place Saturday at the National Pumpkin Weigh Off in Wheatland, California. - Sherwood’s pumpkin weighed 2,613 pounds and earned a $15,000 prize. - The pumpkin broke Oregon’s previous state record of 2,469 pounds, held by Steve Daletas since 2018. - Sherwood’s pumpkin is the heaviest pumpkin entered in this year’s U.S. competition season. - Mike Alves of Chico, California, placed second with a 2,359-pound pumpkin. - Alves also set a new personal best by more than 650 pounds and became the heaviest California-grown pumpkin ever at the National Pumpkin Weigh Off.

The details: - Sherwood nicknamed his pumpkin “SpongeBlob.” - Sherwood has grown giant pumpkins for 25 years. - Sherwood thanked his Oregon crew and said Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm is a premier weigh-off that makes growers feel welcome. - Alves said he doubled the size of his patch this year and credited other growers, soil health and dedication. - Alves said giant pumpkins can gain 50 to 60 pounds a day during peak growth. - The event offered the world’s highest prize pool again this year, with more than $100,000 in prizes. - A $75,000 prize was offered for the world’s first pumpkin over 3,000 pounds. - The top 20 pumpkins won cash prizes totaling more than $35,000. - The current world record pumpkin weighs 2,819 pounds and was grown last year by the Paton brothers of England. - Seven other giant vegetable categories were judged: bushel gourd, long gourd, tomato, sunflower, watermelon, field pumpkin and marrow. - Chris Asbury of Bayside, California, broke the California marrow record with a 102-pound entry. - Marrow is a large green squash similar to a giant zucchini. - The Future Farmers category opened the weigh-off with nine youth entrants ages 7 to 17. - Oren Muller of Guinda, California, age 15, won $1,000 for a 1,229-pound pumpkin. - All youth entrants received an award, and the top 10 split $3,500 in cash prizes.

Between the lines: - The event is as much about agriculture promotion as competition, with organizers aiming to get more adults and youth growing giant pumpkins. - The prize structure and multiple categories help keep the weigh-off broad enough to attract both top-tier competitors and first-time growers. - Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm has evolved from a student field-trip stop opened in 1973 into a regional destination that draws more than 400,000 visitors a year. - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain served as title sponsor, underscoring the event’s fit with regional tourism marketing.

What’s next: - Organizers are directing prospective growers to join the email list at pumpkinweighoff.com for the free “25 Tips to Growing Giant Pumpkins” download. - The email list will also provide updates on seed and plant availability and ways to connect with other giant pumpkin growers. - Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm remains open from mid-August through mid-November, keeping the site active for visitors and future pumpkin seasons.

The bottom line: - Sherwood’s record pumpkin was the day’s headline, but the bigger story is a competition that keeps expanding both the size of the gourds and the audience around them.