Annual Contribution Totals Over $20,000 in Three Year Span, and Sakata Auction Items Raise Over $10,000 and Counting!
Sakata Seed America continues to support The National Watermelon Association. In February 2015, at the National Convention, for the third consecutive year, Sakata made a monetary contribution, based on sales of its triploid watermelon varieties, to the National Watermelon Association.
In addition to the contribution, Sakata donated over 50,000 young watermelon plants for auctions at the National Convention, as well as four other regional shows, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina conventions. Auction winners will receive 10,000 young triploid watermelon plants of either Bold Ruler or Affirmed – their choice. Plants will be shipped through Sakata’s recently launched Watermelon Plant Program for the Southeast. This program makes young transplants of Bold Ruler and Affirmed (as well as Ace and SSX8585 pollinizers) available to order through select distributors, bringing more convenience and value to growers.
Watermelon Plant Auction Winners
National Watermelon Association Convention Winner: Mike Horrall of Melon Acres in Oaktown, IN
Florida Watermelon Association Winner: Melon 1 in Brooklyn, NY
Georgia Watermelon Association: Johnny Davis of D&D Farms in Lenox, GA
Alabama Watermelon Association: Rantz Smith of Smith Farms in Trenton, FL
South Carolina Watermelon Association: Bradley O’Neal of Coosaw Farms in Fairfax, SC
Thus far, over $10,000 has been raised for regional watermelon associations through donated plants. The next auction will be held March 13-14, 2015 in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina at the North Carolina Watermelon Association’s Annual Convention. Another 10,000 plants will be auctioned to the highest bidder and will raise money for the North Carolina Watermelon Association.
Sakata is committed to providing the highest quality varieties to help ensure the grower’s success and profitability and maintains a very extensive watermelon program including a wide array of products for all market regions, such as new varieties Secretariat, Kingman, Unbridled and Charismatic. Sakata’s partnership with the National Watermelon Association is founded on a long-standing appreciation for the NWA’s positive impact on the watermelon industry.
“We’re proud to support the National Watermelon Association through continued partnership and other contributions. They play a crucial role in bringing the industry together and putting the grower first – two concepts that are paramount to Sakata,” states Gattis Guffey, Senior Manager of Sakata’s watermelon program.
Sakata invites growers to upcoming watermelon field days held throughout the year in Indiana, Georgia, California and Florida. For information on samples, products, services or dealers, please call (408) 778-7758 or visit www.sakatavegetables.com
