The National Watermelon Association, Inc. is a voluntary, membership trade association dedicated to making a positive difference in the business and lives of its Watermelon family – those involved in the growing, grading, handling, transporting, distributing, and selling of watermelon. In order to assure federal legislative and regulatory decisions are made with the industry’s concerns in mind the National Watermelon Association is the voice of its members on issues of trade, labor, invasive pest and disease, pesticide and nutrient use, federal legislation, scientific research, farm & packer-based food safety, trucking, etc. Focusing on the highest research priorities the National Watermelon Association funds the industry’s production research needs through scientific grants to numerous universities and other organizations each year. Disease research (vine decline, phytophthora, gummy stem blight), farming improvement research (plant grafting), and value-added research (ethanol), are examples of the Association’s investment in the success of its members and the Watermelon industry. Author of the industry’s food safety and traceability program, Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Fresh Watermelon Supply Chain, the National Watermelon Association has led the way in the area of food safety. The National Watermelon Association is a respected clearinghouse of information, publishing industry trend stories, key legislative and regulatory activities, scientific research, effectively responding to the industry’s needs. The National Watermelon Association is funded by donations generated primarily through the annual watermelon auction at the national convention as well as by sponsors, exhibitors, and advertisers.