Joe Jutras is a retired owner of Jutras Woodworking Inc., an architectural millwork cabinetmaking shop for the past 33 years. He has always loved growing things and being outdoors; and is just a little bit competitive!
In 1997, he began growing giant pumpkins, with some mentoring from John Castellucci and Dick & Ron Wallace. He became a Director of SNGPG in southern New England and began making GPC award plaques in 2005. In 2006, Joe grew a 126.5” World Record Long Gourd, appearing on the Martha Stewart show along with Ron Wallace & his 1502 World Record giant pumpkin. He received his Guinness World Record certificate for the long gourd on the show. He was featured in a book along with fellow growers about growing giant pumpkins titled “Backyard Giants,” written by Susan Warren. In 2007, Joe grew a World Record 1689 lb pumpkin and appeared on Good Morning America in Times Square, receiving a Guinness World Record certificate for the biggest pumpkin. Later that year, he received the prestigious Orange Jacket for his new World Record at the GPC in Niagara Falls, Canada. He became president of the SNGPG in 2008, and held that position until 2016. In 2009, he appeared on the cover of Don Langevin’s book “How to Grow World Class Giant Pumpkins”.
Joe currently spends his time growing in Scituate and fishing and hunting on Prudence Island in Rhode Island. He is working on trying to become a World Record Giant Green Squash grower.