How about a nice juicy slice of – ethanol?

The National Watermelon Association is preparing for some research with USDA, the University of Georgia and an ethanol plant in Florida to use the estimated 700 million pounds of watermelons that are wasted each year for ethanol production.

“We’re really excited about this,” says Watermelon Association Executive Director Bob Morrissey. “This could be a brand new market for watermelon growers.”

Listen to this report from one of my favorite people, USDA Radio reporter Gary Crawford. Melon Ethanol (1 min MP3)

Also, here is a link to a really good story about this potential ethanol feedstock from the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association publication Harvester.