WATERMELON PROMOTION BOARD MEMBERS


                                              Release No. 0646.96

                                     Jerry Redding (202) 720-6959
                                                jredding@usda.gov
                                     Carol Blake   (202) 720-8998
                                                  cblake@usda.gov

GLICKMAN NAMES NATIONAL WATERMELON PROMOTION BOARD MEMBERS

     WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 1996--Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman has
announced seven appointments to the National Watermelon Promotion Board.  The
following appointees will serve three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 1997, and
ending Dec. 31, 1999.  

     Producers representing District 1:  Richard S. Chastain, Alva, Fla., and
Robert E. Tolar, Felda, Fla.;

     Handlers representing District 1:  Lee A. Wroten, Lakeland, Fla., and
James F. Shepherd, Naples, Fla.;

     Importers:  David K. Seal, McAllen, Texas, and Robert A. Dyer, Mission,
Texas; and   

     Public member:  Karen P. Penner, Manhattan, Kans.

     The 29-member board is authorized by the 1985 Watermelon Research and
Promotion Act.  The board administers a program of watermelon research and
promotion to expand uses and production in domestic and foreign markets.

     The secretary selected the appointees from nominations submitted by the
watermelon industry.

     USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, a marketing and regulatory
programs agency,  monitors operations of the board.

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