Watermelons are grown throughout the sunshine state and therefore, growers have a wide array of production, pest and marketing challenges needing research. UF/IFAS Extension agents and specialists serve the needs of watermelon farmers in a wide array of research projects and Extension methods. Robert Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Extension Agent at the North Florida Research and Education Center- Suwannee Valley works closely with the Florida Watermelon Association (FWA) to enhance opportunities to identify, and successfully implement needed research projects, including securing grant funding.