Will tubers triumph at this year鈥檚 ? Or will it be winter squash, which took the lead Thursday afternoon during the second annual competition hosted by Colorado State University Office of Engagement and Extension.
The tournament of vegetables sprung up Monday and pitted 16 veggies 鈥� from asparagus to zucchini 鈥� in a , a greener take on the annual March Madness college basketball spectacle. Voting on produce is part of the friendly rivalry among research extension offices around the state, but it鈥檚 still competitive. And the winner will be announced Friday. (See update at end of story.)
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know that there鈥檚 not something nefarious going on. I mean, really? Winter squash beat out onions and now they鈥檙e leading potatoes as you and I speak?鈥� said Todd Hagenbuch, agriculture specialist and county director of the Routt County Extension, rooting for potatoes during a call Thursday afternoon. 鈥淭hat just seems suspect.鈥�
Hagenbuch, who admits he鈥檚 good friends with winter-squash supporter Alison O鈥機onnor, has thoroughly enjoyed turning agriculture into a game. Coincidentally (or not?) the two were finalists last year with O鈥機onnor鈥檚 pick, the sugar snap pea, beating out potatoes to become the 2024 Veggie Madness champion.
After her win last year, organizers held a where O鈥機onnor touted peas鈥� superiority over potatoes. Team Potato pushed back and held a about the popularity of potatoes.
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