Inside the Melon: The Watermelon Industry Podcast

In this episode of Inside the Melon: The Watermelon Industry Podcast, host George Szczepanski, executive director of the National Watermelon Association, welcomes Doug Cahoon, produce merchant at Sam’s Club, for a behind-the-scenes look at what drives watermelon sales at retail and why the decisions made after harvest are just as important as those made in the field. Drawing on eight seasons managing the melon category, Cahoon shares insights into consumer shopping habits, the importance of visual appeal, and how strategic displays, product freshness and consistent eating quality influence purchasing decisions. The conversation explores how early-season watermelon experiences can shape demand throughout the season, how newer varieties are helping improve quality and consistency, and why opportunities for fall and winter sales continue to grow despite production challenges. Cahoon also offers practical advice for growers and shippers, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across the supply chain to deliver a great watermelon experience that keeps consumers coming back for more.

Inside the Melon is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode of Inside the Melon: The Watermelon Industry Podcast, host George Szczepanski, executive director of the National Watermelon Association, welcomes labor and immigration attorney Shawn Packer for a conversation about the H-2A guest worker program and its importance to watermelon growers. Packer explains how the program works, why growers increasingly rely on it, and the costs and complexities that can make it difficult to navigate. They also discuss changing agricultural labor patterns, common challenges growers encounter across federal agencies, the program’s impact on workers and their home communities, and recent developments surrounding the AEWR and proposed Securing Agriculture Workforce Act.

Inside the Melon is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode of Inside the Melon: The Watermelon Industry Podcast, host George Szczepanski, executive director of the National Watermelon Association, welcomes NWA lobbyist Bob Redding for a look at how decisions in Washington can directly affect watermelon growers. Redding shares his path from political campaigns and congressional staffing to agricultural advocacy and highlights recent progress on key industry priorities, particularly labor and the H-2A program. He discusses changes involving the adverse effect wage rate and worker housing, efforts to codify reforms through legislation, and why continued bipartisan education and direct engagement from growers are critical to creating lasting change. Redding also explains what advocacy looks like behind the scenes, why growers’ firsthand experiences can make a difference with lawmakers and staff, and what he’s watching next, including specialty crop programs, export promotion funding, USMCA, nutrition policy and ongoing H-2A processing challenges.

Inside the Melon is produced by Association Briefings.

In the inaugural episode of Inside the Melon: The Watermelon Industry Podcast, host George Szczepanski, executive director of the National Watermelon Association, welcomes Dr. Nathan Boyd, professor and weed science specialist at the University of Florida, to discuss how artificial intelligence, robotics, and computer vision are transforming weed management in watermelon production. Dr. Boyd shares how precision spraying technologies can significantly reduce herbicide use while improving efficiency, and explains how AI-powered scouting and decision-support tools are helping growers make smarter, more targeted management decisions. The conversation also explores the future of practical, field-ready technologies designed to address labor challenges, reduce input costs, and strengthen the competitiveness of watermelon growers.

Inside the Melon is produced by Association Briefings.

Welcome to Inside the Melon: The Watermelon Industry Podcast, brought to you by the National Watermelon Association.

Hosted by Executive Director George Szczepanski, Inside the Melon takes you behind the scenes of the watermelon industry through conversations with growers, researchers, industry experts, advocates, and leaders from across the supply chain. Each episode explores the innovations, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of watermelon production, promotion, and sustainability.

Whether you're a longtime member of the industry or simply interested in the people and ideas driving it forward, Inside the Melon offers practical insights, expert perspectives, and stories that celebrate the collaboration and innovation keeping the watermelon industry strong for generations to come.

Subscribe now and join us for our first full episode.