Do you have the best vegetables in Austin County? Maybe the biggest tomato on the block? Then bring your garden’s finest to the 2025 Austin County Home-Grown Vegetable Contest, set for Saturday, June 7 in Bellville, Texas.
Hosted by the Austin County Horticulture Committee, in partnership with Linseisen’s Feed & Supply and Nelson’s Plant Food, this event is free, open to all ages, and a great opportunity to show off your backyard bounty.
Event Schedule and Details
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Vegetable Check In: 9:00-10:00am
Linseisen’s Feed & Supply, 551 W. Main St., Bellville, TX
Educational Program: 10:00 AM
Bellville VFD Meeting Room, 511 W. Main St., Bellville, TX
Guest Speaker: Garry Kroeger, Bluebonnet Master Gardener
Topic: Fermented Cucumber Pickles
Awards Ceremony: 11:00 AM (no earlier)
The contest is open to the public, and no pre-registration is required. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or new to growing, this is your chance to join the fun and possibly take home a ribbon or two.
Rules and Entry Guidelines for the Austin County Vegetable Contest 2025
All vegetables or fruits for the Austin County Vegetable Contest 2025 must be:
-Grown by the exhibitor
-Healthy and edible (no store-bought produce allowed)
-Free from rot or severe damage
-Entered in the proper quantity per category to avoid disqualification
PLEASE NOTE: Only one entry per person per category is allowed, except for “All Other Peppers,” “Fruits/Berries,” and “All Others,” which allow multiple types per person. Entries must be picked up by the end of the business day at Linseisen’s.
Award Categories and Entry Requirements –Judges may create additional categories based on entry volume. Awards will be given for the top three “Best in Show” selections.
| Vegetable/Fruit | Category | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Best | Group of 3, must be ripe |
| Tomato | Biggest (By Weight) | Single, must be ripe |
| Vegetable or Fruit | Unique | Single vegetable or fruit |
| Bell Pepper | Best | Group of 3 |
| All Other Peppers | Best | Group of 3 |
| Cucumber | Best | Group of 3 |
| Squash | Best | Group of 3 |
| Beans/Peas | Best | Group of 12 |
| Onion | Best | Group of 3 |
| Potato | Best | Group of 3 |
| Corn | Best | Group of 3 |
| Fruit/Berries | Best | 3 fruits or 1/2 pint of berries |
| All Others | Best | Vegetables or melons |
| Best of Show | Best Overall | Chosen from all categories |
For full details on the Austin County Vegetable Contest 2025, visit the official site.
Have questions? Contact: Stacie Villarreal, Austin County AgriLife Extension Agent
Phone: 979-865-2072
