Better Late Than Never

Dean Baker awards Ben Buchsieb the Arizona State Record ribbon for his 2007 pumpkin weighing 469 pounds.

The AZGPG may be a young organization, but Arizona does have some history growing giant pumpkins. Ben Buchsieb (469 pounds in 2007) was awarded an Arizona State Record and Personal Best ribbon for his pumpkin. His record stood for 8 years before it was broken at this year's Festival.

Ben Buchsieb started his pumpkin seed on January 18, 2007 and cared for it until it weighed-in at 469 pounds on June 2.  He grew the pumpkin in his backyard when he lived in Ahwatukee.  He sought to overcome the same problems current growers are having -- but did so without a support organization like AZGPG to help.  He did receive some assistance from growers via BigPumpkin.com

His diary is used by current growers to help them understand how to grow bigger pumpkins in the Southwest Desert.

His efforts predated the AZGPG, but they are remembered as an important part of the group's legacy.