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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.

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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!

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  • Blog Posts (31)
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  • What We're Reading (1)

When you pick up a watermelon at your local grocery store, you can feel confident that you’re choosing a product that’s fresh, flavorful, and grown—not manufactured. Watermelons are cultivated under the warmth of the sun, with the help of bees and farmers who steward their crops using heavily regulated, safety-first crop protection practices. These methods…

The NWA has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its 2026 Research Grants Program, designed to support the watermelon industry. The program focuses on applied research that directly benefits watermelon production, handling, and food safety, with particular interest in areas such as plant disease management, production efficiency, and food safety technologies. Your research could…

This week, NWA was proud to lead a delegation from the watermelon industry joining IFPA’s Washington Conference, meeting directly with congressional leaders, and raising the issues that are critical to our industry.  More updates will follow next week, but check out your National and Regional Watermelon Queen social pages, as they are quickly filling them…

We couldn’t be more proud of Ross Chastain, NASCAR Champion. Ross delivered an unforgettable performance, etching his name in history as the first driver to triumph after starting from the back of the pack. Against all odds, Chastain, who had led only eight laps, skillfully overtook the race’s dominant driver, who had led for much…

We’re thrilled to have sponsored the Mind Your Melon Foundation’s impactful charity event! The Think Outside the Barn Benefit was crucial in ensuring the success of this mission-driven initiative, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to all our members. Your support and dedication have been instrumental in making this event a success, and we couldn’t…

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) urges the Senate to prioritize immediate investments in specialty crops as it advances the budget reconciliation bill. With the House having passed this bill, we emphasize that all investments in American agriculture must include specialty crops.Specialty crop producers play a crucial role in our food supply, providing safe…

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) expressed gratitude to Chairman GT Thompson and his staff for including vital investments in specialty crops in the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s reconciliation draft released on May 13, 2025. While the SCFBA prefers a comprehensive, bipartisan farm bill, they appreciate the support for specialty crop growers, who face…

This week, our Executive Director, George Szczepanski, traveled to South Texas for a series of insightful visits with growers, researchers, and industry partners. With support from Kristin Story, President of the Texas Watermelon Association, the tour offered a powerful look at the full scope of watermelon production in the region—from seed development and soil science…

  Our National Convention was a remarkable experience, and we’re thrilled to share the memories with you.  Take a peak at the gallery online, where our photos our now posted. Let’s keep the celebration alive! We can’t wait to reunite in sunny Florida for our next convention in 2026. Thank you for being such a…

We are excited to share the news of our office move! At the Fall ’24 board meeting, NWA’s Executive Committee decided to transition to a fully remote office, and that transition has officially taken place.  Our staff has shifted to a fully remote setup, and the office in Lakeland is officially closed as of yesterday….

We are excited to announce the release of our Spring 2025  Vineline Magazine! In this edition, you’ll find articles that include: National, Research, Policy Updates, Queen reports and much more, stay informed. Read Here

MAHA Letter: Collaborative Efforts to Improve Health Outcomes in Food Safety and Agriculture     On March 7, 2025, the NWA and other representatives from the food and agriculture community sent a letter to Secretary Kennedy, Secretary Rollins, and Administrator Zeldin. Our goal is to urgently collaborate with the Make America Healthy Again Commission to…

Resources

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