Tuesday, August 5, 2025
70.2 F
Beckley
More

    Carrot, pumpkin, cucumber, cantaloupe break W.Va. records

    Farmers in W.Va. broke four state records for fruit and vegetable produce in 2017.

    Four new produce records were established in 2017 in West Virginia, the state Department of Agriculture announced today. A carrot, cucumber, cantaloupe, and pumpkin raised the bar for farmers statewide, according to Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt.

    Advertisement

    “We’re the only state in the region that has this type of program. We see it as a fun way to encourage farming while bring attention to our gardeners throughout the state,” Leonhardt said of the records program.

    Dustin Trychta, of Morgantown, West Virginia, set new standards in three categories. His 38.6 lb. cantaloupe shattered the previous record of 27.45 lbs., held since 2011 by Glen Knox.

    Trychta also set records in two new categories —  heaviest carrot, at 2 lb. 6.88 oz., and heaviest cucumber, at 10.77 lb.

    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement

    Robert Cyrus, of Fort Gay, West Virginia, grew a 1,407 lb. pumpkin, which was the top entry at the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival and set a new state record. The previous record was set in 2006 by Scott Wotring, at 1,157 lbs.

    Produce and fruit eligible for records must follow rules established by the department, including being grown in West Virginia and within one season, Leonhardt said.

    “The rules and categories have been a bit more formalized in recent years. This keeps the program manageable and as fair as practically possible,” he said.

    New categories include carrot by weight, cucumber by weight, pawpaw by weight, sunflower by head diameter and zucchini by length.

    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement
    Advertisement

    For a complete list of rules and regulations, as well as current record holders visit .


    Sign up to receive a FREE copy of West Virginia Explorer Magazine in your email weekly. Sign me up!
    David Sibray
    David Sibray
    Historian, real estate agent, and proponent of inventive economic development in West Virginia, David Sibray is the founder and publisher of West Virginia Explorer Magazine. For more information, he may be reached at 304-575-7390.

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Hot this week

    Top 10 largest West Virginia cities by population (2025)

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia cities and towns vary...

    Jackson’s Mill Jubilee set to crown best homemade pie in West Virginia

    WESTON, W.Va. — Nothing speaks to West Virginia tradition...

    Solar flowers capture attention along the Kanawha River at Buffalo

    BUFFALO, W.Va. — An array of five giant "solar...

    Thirty-three West Virginia companies receive award for global exports

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Thirty-three West Virginia companies that export...

    The eastern panhandle of West Virginia: how it came to be

    SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The eastern panhandle of West Virginia...

    Topics

    Top 10 largest West Virginia cities by population (2025)

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia cities and towns vary...

    Jackson’s Mill Jubilee set to crown best homemade pie in West Virginia

    WESTON, W.Va. — Nothing speaks to West Virginia tradition...

    Thirty-three West Virginia companies receive award for global exports

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Thirty-three West Virginia companies that export...

    The eastern panhandle of West Virginia: how it came to be

    SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The eastern panhandle of West Virginia...

    Unique northern panhandle of West Virginia created by historic dispute

    WEIRTON, W.Va — West Virginia's remarkable shape is partly...

    August in West Virginia: When mountain customs come home

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — August in West Virginia is a...

    Related Articles

    Popular Categories