So, a lot has happened since I sent out that email to the whole Danforth Center list. I think I've actually generated a fair amount of buzz. People are talking, and people want to be involved. I even got an email back from one of the faculty members, Chris Taylor, who has been experimenting for several years with growing different varieties in his backyard.

He actually wants to set up a QTL (quantitative trait locus) study of giant pumpkins - basically a way to look for some genes that might be involved in creating giantness, because the genetic basis of hugeness in all types of fruits and vegetables, including major crop varieties, is still a mystery. I'll put together an explanation of what QTL is for a later post, but if you're interested, you can follow the link above to an overview from Phillip McClean at North Dakota State.

Dr. Taylor and I actually talked to Howard, the facilities coordinator, but he said that we would have to go straight to the top and talk to Dr. Roger Beachy, president of the Danforth Center, about using the Danforth Center grounds for an RHP. But he also told us, using a pretty sweet diagram he just happened to be carrying around, that there was originally a garden planned behind the center, so there's actually a nice, flat area with full sun and a water spigot back there.

I had hoped to talk about the pumpkin to Dr. Beachy at the new employees luncheon yesterday, but the opportunity did not present itself. I have faith that it soon will, as several people with greater access than myself have offered to ask Dr. Beachy for permission.

My intention was to share some of the responses I got from other DDPSC employees, but I think I'll save those for tomorrow. Be sure to check back.

XOXO