Board Members

The NWPB is composed of producers, handlers, importers, and one public representative appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Board consists of an equal number of producer and handler representatives nominated by watermelon producers and handlers around the nation. Importers participate in the nomination of importer members of the Board. Importer members are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The public representative on the Board is nominated by members of the Board and appointed by the Secretary.

Today, there are five geographic districts in the contiguous states of the United States. Each of these districts is represented by two producer and two handler members on the Board. The number of Importer seats on the Board is proportionate to the percentage of assessments paid by importers to the Board. In any event, there is at least one representative of importers on the Board.

Nominations for membership on the board are made through a process that includes a caucus held in each district. At the caucus, two candidates for each vacant position on the Board are elected. The names of those individuals are forwarded by the NWPB to the Secretary of Agriculture. The Secretary of Agriculture makes the appointments to the Board from the nominees submitted from each caucus. Board members serve a three-year term of office. NWPB members may not serve more than two successive terms.

For further information about the nomination and selection of Board members, or if you are a watermelon producer, handler, or importer and have an interest in serving on the NWPB contact the Department of Industry Affairs at 407-657-0261. Individuals with such interest can also email [email protected] or mail to:

National Watermelon Promotion Board
Attention: Director of Industry Affairs
1321 Sundial Point
Winter Springs, FL 32708

The NWPB encourages all women, minorities and persons with disabilities who qualify as watermelon producers and handlers to attend the meeting and run for nomination to the NWPB.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact Judith Soloduk at Morningside Translations: Phone (646) 744-1923, Email: [email protected]. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English at no cost. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD- 3027, found online at https://www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The NWPB will hold a nomination convention in conjunction with some of the winter regional watermelon association meetings to nominate qualified watermelon producers and watermelon handlers to fill open positions as directors of the Board.

The NWPB encourages all women, minorities and persons with disabilities who qualify as watermelon producers and handlers to attend the meeting and run for nomination to the NWPB. All watermelon producers and handlers the districts with nomination conventions are encouraged to attend and vote to nominate their representatives to the NWPB. Nominations are submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Secretary of Agriculture makes the final appointments to the NWPB.

The Board members administer promotion and research programs for watermelon. The NWPB works to increase consumer demand for watermelon and expand domestic and foreign markets through its marketing, consumer public relations and education programs. The non-profit Board works with an administrative staff to enact retail, food service and media promotions and research programs. All Board members are required to attend two meetings each year to become familiar with and develop the Board’s variety of marketing, research and education programs.