Meet Travis Gienger, a man with a green thumb and an affinity for growing colossal pumpkins that redefine what it means to “go big or go home.” Hailing from Anoka County, Minnesota, Travis doesn’t fit the mold of an ordinary gardener. He’s a pumpkin enthusiast who cultivates pumpkins of gigantic proportions, and he does it with dedication and a touch of humor.

In the spring of this particular year, as Travis observed a young, basketball-shaped pumpkin emerging in his patch, he had no clue that he was tending to a potential future champion. Playfully, he named the 10-day-old Atlantic giant pumpkin “Michael Jordan” due to its incredible roundness and moved on with his gardening endeavors.

Little did he know that “Michael Jordan” would become a world record-breaker. When the time came for the pumpkin to be weighed, it tipped the scales at a staggering 2,749 pounds, exceeding even the remarkable 2,560-pound pumpkin he had cultivated in the prior year.

This victory marked Travis Gienger’s third trip to the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, held in Half Moon Bay, California, a place renowned as the “Pumpkin Capital of the World.” It’s an event that brings giant pumpkin enthusiasts from far and wide, each vying to see who can grow the heaviest pumpkin. Travis’s remarkable achievements have made him a standout in the competition.

The title for the heaviest pumpkin had previously been in the possession of an Italian grower who achieved a 2,702-pound squash in 2021, a record that “Michael Jordan” has now proudly taken.

So, what will Travis do with the $30,000 prize money that comes with his champion title? As a 43-year-old father who runs a gas fire table business during the day, he is contemplating tons of  options. Perhaps he’ll invest in a boat for leisure, set aside funds for his children’s college education, or use the money to further his pumpkin-growing ventures by purchasing more seeds. The possibilities are endless.

For now, Travis is savoring the sweet taste of success and the pumpkin-spiced glow that comes with being a three-time world champion. He even received a special jacket, reminiscent of those awarded at the Masters, which he deems a particularly prestigious honor. As for what the future holds, it’s evident that Travis Gienger’s love for growing giant pumpkins will continue to be a significant part of his life, and he plans to return to the competition next year, ready to once again embrace the challenge of nurturing colossal gourds that capture the imagination and set new records.