About Us
The Georgia Watermelon Association (GWA) was incorporated in May, 1968, under the name of the Georgia Watermelon Growers and Distributors Association. In 1977 the name was changed to the present form to better reflect the scope of the membership. The GWA is a chapter of the National Watermelon Association which is made up of 8 state chapters, with membership in 29 states and Canada.
The purpose of the association is to promote the best interest of the industry from production to consumption. The association is constantly seeking improvements in the growing, grading, handling, transportation, distribution, and sale of watermelons. GWA works to increase efficiency within the industry for better profits and to provide the consumer with a better product for greater sales.
Each year a Georgia Watermelon Queen is selected at the annual convention of the association. During the summer months the queen tours the state for the promotion of the Watermelon Industry. During her tour of the state, nation and international, she visits supermarkets, Welcome Centers and festivals; she appears on television and radio, before sales groups, meets with local and state officials, and other points of interest promoting the Georgia watermelon Industry. The state Watermelon Queen represents the GWA at the annual National Watermelon Convention where she competes for the title of the National Watermelon Queen.