Georgia 4-H Watermelon Growing Contest

Georgia 4-H Pumpkin Growing Contest - Sponsored by the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association

4-H Watermelon Growing Contest
~ 2010 Final weights must be received by fax or mail by August 2nd ~

Entry Form - Word Document
Entry Form - PDF Document
Growing Tips - By Kevin Phillips
Contest Details Below

Congratulations to our 2009 Contest Winners!

1st Prize - $100 - Kameron Coggins - Echols County -156.4 lb - Carolina Cross

2nd Prize - $50 - Kellee Alday - Seminole County - 126 lb - Carolina Cross

3rd Prize - $25 - Kayla Sealy - Grady County - 81.25 lb - Carolina Cross

For photo gallery and complete contest results click here.


1st Place Kameron Coggins Echols County Carolina Cross - 156.4 lbs. $100 Prize	2nd Place Kellee Alday Seminole County Carolina Cross - 126 lbs. $50 Prize	3nd Place Kayla Sealy Grady County Carolina Cross - 81.25 lbs. $25 Prize

Entry Form - Word Document
Entry Form - PDF Document
Growing Tips - By Kevin Phillips

A special "thank you" goes out to The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association along with the Georgia Watermelon Association for their continuous support with the Georgia 4-H Watermelon Growing Contest. The state winner will receive $100. The second and third place winners will receive $50 and $25. The first 50 counties to certify a winner will receive a Georgia 4-H Watermelon Contest T-shirt for the top watermelon grower in their county. If 50 counties do not submit entries, the first 50 entries will receive t-shirts.

Winners will be announced within a couple of days of the deadline, August 2nd. Although the new deadline is after the Cordele Watermelon Festival, winners will also be announced the following year at the Cordele-Crisp Watermelon Days Festival in July, instead of the year in which they won. Attendance at the festival is not required for the 4-H contest, but we encourage everyone to attend the festival and show support for a proud sponsor of the Georgia 4-H.

Final weights must be received by fax or mail by August 2nd . Send or fax the enclosed form (certification of weight) to the State 4-H Office . The heaviest watermelon will then be named and awards determined. Each 4-H'er must grow his or her own watermelon and have it weighed by their County Extension Office to be eligible. One entry per 4-H'er. If a 4-H'er does submit more than one entry, the largest of the two will be chosen and the other disqualified. Pictures will be required for the top three state awards. Additional photos may be used for other promotional purposes, so please make sure to get a photo of your 4-H'er with their watermelon.

Any variety of watermelon may be used, but Carolina Cross is a highly recommended variety. Seeds are available at http://www.giantwatermelons.com , as well as Gurney's Seed, Burpee Seed, Willhite Seed and other potential locations. Price will vary from from about $1.12 to $25.00 per dozen.
You will need as much time as possible for your watermelon to grow to its full size so you may want to start your seeds indoors and transfer outside after the last frost.

The Watermelon Contest will share the site with Pumpkin Contest for now. You may also contact George Boyhan, Extension Specialist for growing tips at gboyhan@uga.edu or (912) 681-5639.

Please contact me with any other suggestions, comments or questions.

Please share any media or newspaper coverage that you get on the contest. Good luck and call if you have any questions. Forms must be received in Athens by August 1st.

The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. An equal opportunity/affirmative action organization committed to a diverse work force.