Blakely Atkinson, Watermelon Promotion Marketing Specialist
blatkinson@scda.sc.gov
803-734-0648
The South Carolina Watermelon Board is a farmer-led organization established to increase consumer awareness and consumption of watermelon while creating a positive economic impact for producers.
The South Carolina Watermelon Board consists of nine watermelon producers and a research scientist who serves as an adviser. The Board supports several different research projects each year and is involved in collecting watermelon assessments for the Checkoff Program. The growers pay an assessment for each pound of watermelons sold and the funds collected are used for educational and research programs.
Learn more at scwatermelon.org or watermelon.org
South Carolina Watermelon Board Members
District 1
Bennie K. Hughes
Pioneer Hi-Bred International
Ehrhardt, SC
Bamberg County
Term Exp: 12-31-2025
Michael E. Sullivan – VICE CHAIRMAN
Sullivan Produce
Pageland, SC
Chesterfield County
Term Exp: 12-31-2024
Rusty Kinard
Lodge, SC
Colleton County
Term Exp: 12-31-2026
Mark Williams
Williams Farm PRT
Islandton, SC
Colleton County
Term Exp: 12-31-2026
District 2
Hamilton Furman Dicks, III
F. H. Dicks Co.
Barnwell, SC
Barnwell County
Term Exp: 12-31-2024
Bradley Joel O’Neal
Coosaw Farms
Fairfax, SC
Allendale County
Term Exp: 12-31-2025
Scotty Sandifer – CHAIRMAN
Sandifer Farms
Blackville, SC
Barnwell County
Term Exp: 12-31-2026
Sidney “Sandy” Ansel Sanders
Olar, SC
Barnwell County
Term Exp: 12-31-2024
Steven Wilson “Will” Willis, Jr.
Barnwell, SC
Barnwell County
Term Exp: 12-31-2025
Advisory
Blakely Atkinson, Watermelon Promotion Marketing Specialist
SC Department of Agriculture, PO Box 11280, Columbia, SC 29211
blatkinson@scda.sc.gov
803-734-0648
Ex Officio
Frances Price, Chair, Agriculture Commission of SC
Gilbert, SC
