Record-Breaking Pumpkin Grown at Biggs Festival Earns $7,000 Prize

A pumpkin grown at Jones Flying Service in Biggs has made headlines after weighing in at an impressive 2,147 pounds and measuring a circumference of 206.5 inches. This massive Atlantic Giant pumpkin not only won first place at the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival but also set a new record for the largest pumpkin ever entered in the festival’s 31-year history, surpassing the previous record by 8 pounds.

Foreman Brian Werner, who nurtured this extraordinary specimen, attributed his success to the favorable weather conditions experienced during the summer. “The stars lined up this year,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of weather in the growth of such giant pumpkins. While this pumpkin does not hold the world record—currently held by twins from England with a 2,819.8-pound pumpkin—it marks a significant achievement for Werner, who received a first-place ribbon, a plaque, and a cash prize of $7,000.

Werner’s journey in pumpkin growing began in high school when his father introduced him to “big moon” pumpkin seeds purchased from Canada in 2000. His early efforts earned him a second-place finish at a local fair, sparking a passion for cultivating giant pumpkins. After some setbacks, including a heartbreaking split of his largest pumpkin before harvest, he took a break from the hobby before reigniting his passion five years ago by claiming a 900-square-foot patch at his workplace.

In the years since, Werner has consistently aimed for a first-place finish and a coveted jacket from the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, an organization that supports giant pumpkin growers. This year, his hard work paid off, as he is set to receive his jacket at the organization’s convention in March 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. “I’m jacked,” he said, expressing his excitement about finally achieving this longstanding goal.

Growing these giant pumpkins presents both a mental challenge and a source of stress relief for Werner. “Every day is something different. It’s also a good way to release stress at the end of the day,” he shared. The joy of the endeavor is amplified by the reactions of the public, who often stop to take pictures and engage with him about his pumpkins.

Werner frequently receives three common questions: “How long did it take to grow?”, “How many pies could you make from it?” and “What do you do with it after the festival?” The answers are equally impressive: it took 157 days to grow this giant pumpkin, which could yield approximately 1,431 pies based on an average of 1.5 cups of puree per pie. After the festival, the pumpkin will be displayed at Wheeler Ranch and Feed in Biggs for the community to enjoy until Halloween.

After the holiday, Werner plans to cut the pumpkin into pieces and harvest the seeds. Despite the challenges and the years of effort, Werner remains focused on his ultimate goal: “My ultimate goal is 1,000 pounds. If I make that goal, I’m happy and consider it successful.” With this recent success, he is one step closer to achieving that dream.