Plaza de España, Binéfar
The Plaza de España in Binéfar experienced a day marked by a colossal piece: a 125-kilo organic pumpkin that captured the attention and took home the highest recognition at the competition. The fruit, presented by José MarÃa PalacÃn, became the focus of an event that focused on environmentally friendly farming practices.
In a family atmosphere and with a lot of curiosity around the great specimens, the contest placed on the podium Miguel Rivera with a pumpkin of 60 kg as second place already Mhammed Rabhi 56,5 kg in third position. The competition was part of the VII Exhibition of Organically Grown Products, which brought together exhibitors and the public in the heart of the municipality.
125kg Organic Pumpkin: This Is How It Won the Audience's Applause
Winning pumpkin at organic exhibition
The winning specimen stood out for its proportions and the context in which it was presented: an exhibition dedicated to organic production where the origin and care of the crop take on special relevance. PalacÃn's piece, due to its size and presentation, symbolized the effort of a campaign aimed at obtain high-quality products with sustainable techniques.
The anticipation was evident from the very beginning. As the jury confirmed the metrics, the plaza filled with comments and photographs about the piece. Many attendees emphasized that such a result helps breaking down stereotypes about appearance and performance of organic products, one of the key ideas of the day.
The organization fell to the Department of the Environment of the Binéfar City Council, with the technical coordination of Fagus Agro-environmental Training and the support of the Provincial Council of HuescaThe competitive format, already traditional, also serves to make the work of local gardens visible and those who support these agricultural practices, along with resources on what to plant in an urban garden.
Beyond the final result, the competition allowed for comparisons of pieces based on size, uniformity, and overall condition, in an edition where the bar was set very high. The 125 kg pumpkin clearly won, set the tone for a very crowded edition, in which the dedication of the other participants was also valued.
An ecological contest with a lot of content and participation
Atmosphere and samples of the contest
The exhibition brought together fifteen exhibitors, including producers from municipal social gardens, who brought a wide variety of products. Among the interesting items, a 60-kilo watermelon and a section with less common crops in the area, such as okra and African eggplant, which attracted attention for their diversity.
The program was completed with tastings of honey, walnut liqueur, wine and oil, as well as ice cream made with seasonal fruits and vegetables and popcorn. For children there was games and activities, and there was no shortage of traditional music with the jotas of the local group Redolada, which put the festive finishing touch to the day.
The talks addressed key issues for improving the field. Lucia Salamero, from the Somontano seed network, explained the work of preservation of native varieties; the organic farmer Lucia Palacin presented his BiopalacÃn Planet project; and Ana Cardiel (Charrando Nutrition) developed a beetroot drink as a demonstration prior to the awards ceremony.
In the training section, David Garcia, from FAGUS Agroenvironmental Training, gave a organic garden workshop which focused on good practices and sustainable management. Both attendance and participation were high, with a notable presence of families interested in responsible and local consumption.
The City Council emphasized the objective of bringing organic products closer to citizens and disprove preconceived ideas about its appearance or quality. The 125kg pumpkin became, in that sense, the perfect example of what the land and care can offer when respectful techniques are used.
The image that many took home was clear: A record fruit, a devoted public and a lively fair that strengthens the connection between producers and neighbors. With the 125-kilogram organic pumpkin as its emblem, Binéfar demonstrated that sustainable farming can produce top-quality products without losing sight of flavor, proximity, and a job well done.