MAMG HOSTED EVENT
Great Tomato Contest
EVENT DETAILS
- Agricenter International
- 3rd Saturday in July
Thank you to everyone who attended on July 18th, 2026.
On July 18th, 2026 we hosted our 9th Annual Great Tomato Contest, and what a fantastic day it was! Thank you to everyone who joined us for an afternoon filled with friendly competition, kids’ activities, and learning at the UT Extension educational table. We loved seeing so many incredible tomatoes and connecting with our gardening community. Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you to everyone who entered, volunteered, and attended. We can’t wait to see what amazing tomatoes you bring to next year’s contest!
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Big Red Barn at Agricenter International
7777 Walnut Grove Rd., Memphis, TN 38120
2025 Contest Winners
| Cherry |
1st: Ruby Hagerty ‘Sun Sugar’ |
2nd: Ruby Hagerty ‘Two Tasty’ |
3rd: Colby Taylor ‘ Sunburst'’ |
4th: George Gregory ‘ Sweet Cherry’ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slicing |
1st: Ted Addison ‘Medium Rare Hybrid’ |
2nd: Ted Addison ‘ Beefsteak’ |
3rd: George Gregory ‘ Big Beef'’ |
4th: William Briggs ‘ Parks Whopper’ |
| Heirloom |
1st: Ted Addison ‘Cherokee Purple’ |
2nd: Ted Addison ‘Cherokee Chocolate” |
3rd: Shannon McGee ‘Lemon Boy’ |
4th : Amanda McGee ‘Mortgage Lifter’ |
| Heaviest |
1st: Ted Addison 1.12.45 pounds |
2nd: George Gregory 1.06.27 pounds |
3rd: Gabriel Harrell 1.01.66 pounds |
4th: no entry |
2026 Contest Winners
| Heirloom |
1st: Charles Long ‘Pink Berkley Tie Dye” |
2nd: Camille Collins ‘Black Krim” |
3rd :Shannon McGee ‘Lemon Boy”’ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slicing |
1st: George Gregory ‘Big Beef Plus” |
2nd: Ted Addison ”Med Rare” |
3rd: Judy McCray ‘Big Beef” |
|
| Cherry |
1st: Cheryl Dean ‘Bronze Torch” |
2nd: Cheryl Dean ‘White Currant” |
3rd: Susanne LeMaire ‘Sweet 100” |
|
| Heaviest |
Kenneth Cunningham ‘Big Zac’ 1 lb. 13.63 oz. |
|||
| Best In Show |
George Gregory Slicer: “Big Beef Plus” |
Event Gallery
Images from Previous Great Tomato Contests
Awards and Ribbons
Awards:
Best Overall Tomato: $200
Each category will award:
- 1st– $100
- 2nd–$ 50
- 3rd– $ 25
Ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & Honorable Mention
Ribbons will be given as follows:
- Best Overall Tomato
- Best of Show – Slicing
- Best of Show – Heirloom
- Best of Show – Cherry
- Heaviest Tomato
Homegrown tomato contest categories:
- Slicing Tomato
- Heirloom Tomato
- Cherry Tomato
- Heaviest Tomato
All Day events:
- Ask A Master Gardener Table with Tomato experts
- Recipes & displays on tomatoes
- Kids activities
The annual Mid-South Great Tomato Contest is held in July to celebrate Tennessee’s state fruit, the tomato! This day-long educational event includes information and displays about the best growing practices for tomatoes, an Ask-a-Master-Gardener Table for all your gardening questions, children’s activities, and a tomato contest. Join us for this community event to learn more about one of our region’s favorite garden plants.
Additional Resources
Horticulture Resources
Educational articles, tips and more from the Memphis Area Master Gardeners
Spring Fling
A festival of plants, lectures, and gardening delights held at the Agricenter International Red Barn
Through Our Garden Gates
Tour gardens of Master Gardeners with guides and specialists available at each garden
Junior Master Gardener Camp
Providing plant knowledge and fun to children in June
Master Gardeners Present
A spring presentation open to the public
Our Mission
“The Tennessee Extension Master Gardener program seeks to improve the lives of Tennesseans by promoting environmental stewardship, non-commercial food production, and human health and well-being through horticulture education and outreach delivered by a dedicated and skilled volunteer network”