Paredes Giant Vegetable Competition and Fair: The Biggest in My Village

Ruris took part in organising the Paredes Giant Vegetable Competition and Fair "O Maior da Minha Aldeia", a competition between amateur and professional growers whose aim is to award prizes to those presenting the largest fruit and vegetables, to give visibility to local producers and produce, and to spark local interest in sustainable farming, thereby bringing greater dynamism and appeal to the parishes in the southern part of the municipality of Paredes.

The main actions carried out by Ruris were:

• Establishing the work plan and schedule;
• Running a public information and training session for registered and potential growers;
• Preparing the initiative's Code of Standards and entry form;
• Registering the initiative with the GPC - Great Pumpkin Commonwealth;
• Liaising with the nursery to ensure germination and collection of the plants;
• Running one technical demonstration session per month;
• Making one individual on-site visit per month to the growers;
• Preparing technical guidance to be given to the growers;
• Answering entrants' questions by telephone and online;
• Supporting the transport and weighing of the pumpkins.