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[email protected]

...for the loss of his farm lease.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=74594

I'm sorry Mike. I understand the mixed blessing thing too. It's great to spend time WITH the kids in the patch. But if they don't share the passion then sometimes growing seems like time stolen from their fleeting youth. We can always grow another pumpkin. We can't get their childhood back.

Good call.

9/13/2007 9:07:31 AM

Somers, CT

Sorry to hear that Mike. Nice Bass! It will be worth it. Watch, next year he will still kick all our butts come weigh-off time. Save up for the "Minivan" and grow at home. Best of luck, Rob

9/13/2007 9:21:19 AM

ordinary,VA

Mike sorry to hear the news.
your three plants in the back yard would out do
99% of most growers in prime farmland.

9/13/2007 9:32:04 AM

Georgia

Dang sorry to hear about that. I cant stand those greedy developers. Their doing that all over the place here and it just sucks. What was once farm land is now gated subdivisons with snobby yuppies. Sorry Mike

9/13/2007 9:47:05 AM

Wood River, IL ([email protected])

Mike,

It's sounds like good news to me. I'm in the same boat with 2 girls 6 and 2 years of age. But the way I look at it, I'll grow 2 or 3 plants each year for the next 10 years. About that time I should hopefully have this pumpkin growing figured out, and be ready to rock & roll. After that they won't want to be hanging out with mom & dad.

It's all good! You can still set PB every year with 3 plants as easy as 10 plants. Time with a rod & reel in hand is always good.

Kenny

9/13/2007 9:52:18 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Mike,
Sorry to hear of this, Perhaps it is all part of a bigger plan that still needs to grow. Like your pumpkin's, something bigger is in store for you.
Gary

9/13/2007 10:48:11 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Bummber Mike, but you've got the right attitude and are obviously a good father.

Additional time with your kids when they are young is priceless....my dauther is 15 years old now and I don't know where the time when. I've been fortunate and spent alot of time involved in her sports and school and other things and that is paying off now that she is getting older.

9/13/2007 11:07:00 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

On the lighter side, anyone who lives in Mike's area should get their butt over to that property with some heavy equipment and scoop up all that dynamite soil!!

Get at it!!

9/13/2007 11:08:34 AM

Geeze.......I saw the title of this message and thought someone died!

9/13/2007 11:10:10 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Mike, as a former country boy, I am sorry. I know how the land becomes part of you.

But you are in a crossroads, with your kids growing up, maybe this is your chance to slowdown on the pumpkins(which I am sorry) and spend more time with your kids(this i am happy for you).

Have you ever thought of asking your kids if they would be interested in growing pumpkins, maybe get them involved. Share your pation and knowledge with the people who mean the most to you..

Again I am sorry to hear about the loss, But Mike you have had a great run on the land.

Capt

9/13/2007 11:12:14 AM

Wi

Mike as you say this is no doubt a blessing in disguise. As the father of a 6 month old and 2 year old it is VERY difficult to balance pumpkin time with family time. I think 3 plants for someone like yourself is plenty. Like you say quality not quantity. I'm scared to see what you can accomplish with all your energy focused on 3 plants. Good luck with whatever you decide. I hope you GROW!

9/13/2007 2:36:29 PM

New Hampshire

It's tough to hear about the bad hand that is all to often delt to our nations farmers.
Best of luck mike, I'm sure you'll bounce back!

David

9/13/2007 7:57:13 PM

Littleton, Colo

Mike, very sorry !! Hang in there !!

9/13/2007 9:16:02 PM

Phoenix, AZ

Do all the Cliche's apply:

The land has gone to a better place?

I feel your pain (how could I?)

"It" had a good life.

You can always go back and piss on the ground to spite the new owner...

9/13/2007 10:04:02 PM

No Place Special

Ha I was expecting to read about a death in my family as well. Thanks everyone for your kind words. I truly believe this is a blessing and im going into this with that attitude. If some of you think I make a living farming that is not true. Starting in 2003, a local farmer let me use about 1/2 acre of his farm ground to grow my giant pumpkins on. This ground was only 2 blocks from my house and it was perfect for a patch, except I never had electricity or water ( I hauled water in my pick up truck 300 gallons at a time). Anyhow, that farmer is the one who lost his farm lease and to my surprise they actually served me paperwork as well, even though I really had never paid rent on the ground. Just wanted to mention that incase there was some confusion that i lost my family income, I did not.

I did have a great run on that ground and am sad to see it go. The kids did actually grow their own pumpkins this year but I think they are still to young to really WANT to do any work. Believe it or not I think Ashley has one that may be in the 500 lb range! Austin has a 1028 Frantz - Seals that was crossed with the 1068 that is growing Don Young's monster!!! They get excited about the pumpkins for about 5 minutes at a time HA! I have other options for ground but have decided not to pursue another patch at this time. I have room for 3 plants at home, that will be plenty. I am down but im not out. QUALITY is going to be the name of the game for me now. Besides Don Young is going to set the bar soooo high here in Iowa it will be forever before I have a chance at catching back up to him.

I am happy to put the pumpkins on the back burner for a while and ready to go to that many more sporting events and such in the years to come!!!!
Best of luck to everyone

Mike Frantz

9/13/2007 10:08:27 PM

southwest MO

Mike,
You can still spend hours and hours taking care of 3 plants... You will get your fix. Water melons are alot less work. Put a couple of them in for the kids...

9/13/2007 11:10:32 PM

Alaska

Hey Mike,
You hit the nail right on the head. Quality is more important than quanity. As far as the kids go just exposing them to the fun of growing will one day bring them back to their roots. Life is a full circle so I believe. Good luck down the road, Spudley.

9/14/2007 2:59:50 PM

[email protected]

Yikes! I never intended for my tongue-in-cheek condolences to be taken seriously. Having been here when Mike got that land to use I suppose I took for granted everyone knew that Mike was in fact an "Urban Farmer" & not an actual farmer. LOL

9/14/2007 10:03:42 PM

Puyallup, WA

I am sorry to hear of this loss. You are a real hero to me. Stan

9/14/2007 11:37:22 PM

Denver, CO

Given the size of the pumpkin you grew this year, I am pretty sure you could stuff at least one and maybe even two lawyers or devlopers inside that pumpkin. That would keep them out of the way for a while. :)

Sorry, to hear the news. But quality growers like yourself always seem to find a way to continue with even bigger and better pumpkins. I am sure it will all work out.

9/15/2007 7:52:46 PM