Growers

An award winning chef, restaurateur and cook book author , Craig Flinn is ready to get his hands dirty in the garden. Pumpkins for Prostate’s only grower who started his pumpkins from seed. Craig and his team at Chives Bistro are working hard at growing the biggest pumpkin of them all! 

Chef and Culinary Entertainer! Owner of Chef LIVE and the corporate chef for Molson Coors Atlantic, Chef Rich doesn’t hold back in anything he does especially when in competition. Look out growers Chef Rich in the garden!

Niki Jabbour is a garden writer and radio show host has been digging in the garden for years! With garden articles published all across North America she's bringing her A-game to this competition in her words she says "Bring on the giant pumpkins!!"

Pumpkins for Prostate has brought out the BIG GUNS with Tim Tregunno, 3rd generation owner of Halifax Seed. As the premier seed go to guy, especially in the Maritimes, The Tregunno's were born to grow. Tim was winner of the Geneius Award in 2005 for his work in the Canadian Seed Industry. If anyone can grow the perfect pumpkin it should be this guy... 

Growing up on the MacKay Family Farm in Lorne, Pictou County, Peter spent many years working the land. While the MacKay’s were well known for their tree farms, Peter’s hero growing up was the legendary Howard Dill. A young Peter and his neighbour Charlie Brown aspired to be pumpkin farmers. After many spirited attempts, Peter and Charlie grew... 

That Bloomin’ Neville…Look what he’s into now! As a florist to the stars and teacher to many designers he’s looking to take his floral talent into the veggie garden. If he can grow a pumpkin the same way he puts a wedding bouquet together all you other growers just may be in trouble. 

As Director of Prostate Cancer Canada everyone have their eyes on Peter Mallette. As a prostate cancer survivor himself Peter is growing for all those men out there affected by this disease. 

President and CEO of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Valerie Payn has a lot of businesses backing her and helping her dig in for Prostate Cancer. With all those members of the chamber someone is going to know just how to grow the biggest pumpkin of them all. 

Ryan Duffy’s Chef Chris Velden not only knows his way around the kitchen but he is producing amazing herbs, vegetables and honey right at home and in the restaurants roof top garden! This guy seems to know what he is doing… 

Tina has a bit of an advantage agains the other growers. As a strong member of the meteorological team for CTV Atlantic she’s going to know when to water, fertilize and harvest her giant pumpkin based on her weather forecasts. 

Dr. Bell, a mentor, teacher, researcher and THE urologist to the men of Halifax. In his words…"I am very happy to participate in this great event. The pumpkin is an excellent symbol as pumpkin seed extracts have been used in the treatment of prostate disease. As an Urologist I look forward to a chance to use my "green thumb" instead of my index finger.”

This FX101.9 Radio host is a country gal through and through. Growing up on a cattle farm, Denyse isn't afraid to get her hands dirty making her a perfect candidate to grow a giant pumpkin! 

Clean Nova Scotia has been sending out vines across the province since 1988. We think that engaging, enabling, and inspiring Nova Scotians to respect and consider the environment in all their choices is a vital part of moving towards environmentally sustainable and healthy communities. 

Jason is a Dartmouth born-and-bred filmmaker whose film credits include, Hobo With a Shotgun and Grindhouse.