While a slim lineup of entries echoed the season’s steep losses, there was no shortage of victories at the State Fair of Virginia’s Giant Vegetable Weigh-Off on Sept. 26.
Applause rang throughout the Blue Ribbon Pavilion as record-breaking harvests defied the growing season’s series of hurdles. Farmers faced extreme heat, drought and unforeseen downpours that toppled myriad giant pumpkins, squash and other would-be contenders by weigh-off time.
Longtime giant produce grower Jr. Brent of Lancaster County gave up on his giant pumpkins early in the season.
“I had two coming in this year, and it got so hot and dry that they just burned up,” he recalled. “So I thought, ‘Well, I’ll just concentrate on the watermelons because I have a better chance of getting a record.’’
With his 9-year-old grandson by his side, Brent nurtured his young, vulnerable watermelon plants through brutal weather extremes. His most-promising contender—growing up to 5 pounds per day—suffered from a split root following an unexpected rain event.
With Brent’s unwavering determination, that watermelon grew to a whopping 271 pounds—topping the previous state record of 259.5 pounds set by Luke Williams of Middlesex County in 2022.
Brent sourced his watermelon seeds from the late Hank Houston of Spotsylvania County, who set a state record in 2018 with his 254-pound watermelon.
“Hank’s still in there,” Brent reflected fondly. “And I got a lot of help from Jason Loris and especially Davis Wells.”
Wells congratulated his longtime friend for surpassing his 204.8-pound watermelon this year. Wells, who’s claimed 10 blue ribbons throughout his giant produce-growing career in Hanover County, was honored with this year’s Hank Houston Hefty Harvest Award.
Paul Jarosh of Culpeper County tripled the state record with his 173.6-pound Napoli squash. Additionally, Jason Loris of Rappahannock County set a new state record with his 31-inch cucumber, and his 25.10-foot-tall sunflower topped the record for southern states.
From setting a world record with his 131.4-pound butternut squash in 2023 to claiming new records since, Loris has most cherished the friendships in the giant produce-growing community.
“Mother Nature threw a lot of curves at us this year,” he reflected. “It was a blessing to have some good friends that you can vent to when things ain’t going right.”
Houston, Wells and Brent introduced Loris to giant produce growing in 2022.
“Those guys inspired me, and Hank really put the fire in me and said, ‘I’ll help you, but you’re going to do the work,’” he recalled with a smile.
Striving to introduce more people to their passion, the growers raffled off their own giant vegetable seeds and growing materials provided by various sponsors to audience members throughout the weigh-off.
Anyone interested in learning about growing giant produce can contact Loris at 202-400-1001.
