Communications

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Discover the latest news and updates from the National Watermelon Association, featuring press releases, blog posts, industry insights, and updates on key policy areas. Stay informed and connected with the latest developments in the watermelon industry.

The Weekly Rind

The Weekly Rind is the weekly update from the NWA that goes straight to your inbox! It gives you a heads up to everything going on in the NWA and everything that we are doing for you! Click here for advertising opportunites.

Vineline Magazine

Quarterly magazine of the National Watermelon Association. The Vineline has the latest industry news and quarterly updates from our National Watermelon Queen and our chapter queens.

On the Vine is our weekly news brief that goes straight to your inbox every week. This weekly news brief has all the latest watermelon news from all over the world!

Latest News

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Convention Registration Open

Get ready for the 2026 NWA National Convention! We are thrilled to announce that registration is now officially open. Join us on February 18th to 21st, 2026, at the beautiful Tradewinds Resort in St. Petersburg, FL. Be part of the much-anticipated event, and to reunite with your watermelon family. Take advantage of our early bird…

NWA Supports NWPB Redistricting

We are excited to share our public comments, emphasizing the crucial importance of NWA’s endorsement of NWPB redistricting. This initiative will positively impact our industry, and we firmly believe that thoughtful redistricting is essential for fostering equitable representation. On October 17, 2025, the National Watermelon Association (NWA) submitted public comments to the U.S. Department of…

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Dept. of Labor Reverses AEWR Methodology Rule

A federal court in Louisiana has struck down the U.S. Department of Labor’s 2023 Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Methodology rule, which had used wage data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for non-range agricultural jobs. This decision benefits agricultural employers by simplifying wage determination and reverting to a 2010 rule based on the…

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Over $300k of Specialty Crop Block Grants to Watermelons

Exciting news from the USDA. They’ve just unveiled a substantial investment of $72.9 million in Specialty Crop Block Grants, supporting 586 innovative projects across 56 states and territories. Among these, over $300k is earmarked specifically for the watermelon industry, underscoring its vital role in our economy and our health. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program…

NWA 2025 Fall Vineline Magazine

In this Vineline magazine: the shift from the growing season to planning in the watermelon industry, highlighting NWA meetings on labor reform and insights on H-2A regulations, business strategies, and emphasizes planning for future industry success. Read Here

Pennsylvania Avenue

NWA Leadership in DC

National Watermelon Association Leaders Visit Washington, D.C. for Ag Labor Discussions Washington, D.C. – Earlier this month, representatives from the National Watermelon Association (NWA) traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for needed improvements for the U.S. watermelon industry. NWA representatives Bob Gibson, Jordan Carter, Greg Leger, John Lapide, and George Szczepanski played vital roles in…

Honoring the Legacy

An article from the Archives: A Fascinating Exploration of the Origins of the Watermelon Queen Program. A tribute to the enduring legacy of William R. Ward Jr., esteemed former president of the Watermelon Growers and Distributors Association. Who spearheaded groundbreaking watermelon national promotional campaigns. His goal was to stimulate national consumption, which could lead…

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Strengthening Food Safety Plans Ahead of FSMA 204 Compliance

Even though FSMA 204 compliance deadlines have been pushed back, now is the time for NWA members to strengthen their food safety plans. Delays in enforcement don’t reduce the risks—foodborne illness outbreaks and even false accusations can cause lasting damage to farms and reputations. Getting compliant early not only positions your business for success when…

National Watermelon Association - Tractor

Discontinuation of USDA’s Farm Labor Survey

NWA joins the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) in applauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to discontinue the Farm Labor Survey (FLS), which was criticized for inflating wage rates for H-2A workers and disadvantaging American farmers. This change will help domestic agricultural producers compete more fairly against foreign competitors and reduce regulatory…

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Big Week for Ag Labor Regulations

We’ve got coverage in The Weekly Rind of a big week for Agricultural Labor Regulations starting with the discontinuation of the Farm Labor Survey (FLS), which has been criticized for inflating wage rates for H-2A workers, marks a significant step forward. We’re also tracking a recent federal court ruling that invalidated the outdated 2023 Adverse…

Pennsylvania Avenue

New NWA Member Benefits

Meet two key advocates working behind the scenes to support the watermelon industry: Shawn Packer, legal counsel, and Bob Redding, federal lobbyist. This infographic introduces their roles, backgrounds, and how NWA members can reach out for guidance. Their expertise helps ensure your voice is heard—from regulatory matters to Capitol Hill. New NWA Member Benefits

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Helpful Spanish Translations for Watermelon Packing Sheds

This resource provides Spanish translations for commonly used phrases during watermelon packing to help streamline communication and boost efficiency in the field. It’s a living document—if you have suggestions or additions, we welcome your feedback to keep it fresh and useful for everyone! Spanish Translations for Watermelon Packing

Resources

Watermelon Research Graphic

NWA Funded Research from 2023 Grant Program: Increasing pollinator visitation and controlling whiteflies

Watermelon Research Graphic

NWA Funded Research from 2023 Grant Program: Arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi associated management of Fusarium wilt in watermelon

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Suppression of Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon by Mycoviruses

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Monitoring development of fungicide resistance in populations of the Fusarium wilt pathogen

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Determining sensitivity of watermelon Fusarium wilt pathogen to chemical fungicides

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Determining the efficacy of pre-plant fumigation and compact bed geometry for Fusarium wilt management in seedless watermelon

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Evaluation of fungicides and Actigard for the control of Fusarium wilt of watermelon in a commercial watermelon field in Georgia, 2013

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Evaluation of fungicides and Actigard for the control of Fusarium wilt of watermelon in Georgia, 2013

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

EVALUATION OF SELECTED FUNGICIDES AND ACTIGARD (ACEBENZOLAR-S-METHYL) FOR THE CONTROL OF FUSARIUM WILT OF WATERMELON

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Examining the effects of planting date on Fusarium wilt and foliar disease incidence, and fungicide efficacy in Florida

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Field trial for Fusarium wilt race 2 resistance in watermelon

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Management of Fusarium wilt and foliar diseases of watermelon through application of fungicides through drip irrigation

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

A major QTL associated with Fusarium oxysporum race 1 resistance identified in genetic populations derived from closely related watermelon lines using selective genotyping and genotyping-by-sequencing for SNP discovery

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

MANAGEMENT OF FUSARIUM WILT AND FOLIAR DISEASES OF WATERMELON THROUGH APPLICATION OF FUNGICIDES THROUGH DRIP IRRIGATION

Watermelon Research Graphic

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Monitoring development of fungicide resistance in populations of the Fusarium wilt pathogen

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Field evaluation of Fusarium wilt race 1 resistance in commercially available triploid watermelon varieties

Watermelon Research Graphic

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QTL mapping of resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum race 2 and Papaya ringspot virus in Citrullus amarus

Watermelon Research Graphic

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The role of soil fertility and soil cations on disease resistance and the severity of Fusarium wilt of watermelon

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

The role of soil fertility on the severity of Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

The role of soil fertility and soil cations on disease resistance and the severity of Fusarium wilt of watermelon

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

A major QTL associated with Fusarium oxysporum race 1 resistance identified in genetic populations derived from closely related watermelon lines using selective genotyping and genotyping-by-sequencing for SNP discovery

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

2021 Survey of Whitefly-transmitted Viruses in Watermelon and Other Cucurbit Crops in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Survey of Whitefly-transmitted Viruses in Watermelon and Other Cucurbit Crops in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus–resistant Watermelon Breeding Line

Watermelon Research Graphic

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Occurrence Of Viruses Infecting Watermelon, Other Cucurbits, and Weeds in the Parts of Southern United States

Watermelon Research Graphic

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Genetic diversity in the 30-terminal region of papaya ringspot virus (PRSV-W) isolates from watermelon in Oklahoma

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

First Report of Alfalfa mosaic virus Associated with Severe Mosaic and Mottling of Pepper (Capsicum annuum) and White Clover (Trifolium repens) in Oklahoma

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

First Confirmed Report of Tobacco ringspot virus in Cucurbits Crops in Oklahoma

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Distribution of Viruses Infecting Cucurbit Crops and Isolation of Potential New Virus-Like Sequences from Weeds in Oklahoma

Watermelon Research Graphic

Members Only

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) transmitted Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV): a component of Watermelon Vine Decline in South Florida

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