By Clint Thompson
North Florida and South Georgia watermelon growers should mark their calendars for Thursday, Dec. 3 for the annual Suwannee Valley Watermelon Institute meeting. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Suwannee River Fair Facility in Fanning Springs, Florida.
Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, talked about the meeting which takes place a little more than two months prior to growers planting next year’s crop.
“I think it has become a very important event for the watermelon industry around the Suwannee Valley, although it has grown in popularity beyond just the Suwannee Valley. We have growers come from further in South Florida and some from Georgia for the meeting,” Hochmuth said. “I think it’s just a really good combination of educational programming and industry tradeshow, but I think it’s one of those situations where the growers love to get together. It’s an opportunity to socialize and talk about things just before the season gets going.
“The Watermelon Association has been integral in helping us plan and carry out the meeting as well. We get a lot of buy-in from the industry from that aspect as well.”
The meeting will last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.