Watermelon: Economic impact of reclassification

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla._Senator Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed Senate Bill 329 last week to repeal the watermelon's status as the state's official vegetable.

Watermelon was granted the distinction of Oklahoma's state vegetable in 2007, thanks to then-Representative Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, which is the home of the world famous watermelon festival.

Economically speaking, the proposed bill will impact quite a few people, particularly farmers. It seems like a minor issue, but for the people of Rush Springs who've seen a big economic boost thanks to watermelon and its official title, the repeal is certainly not a welcome change.

It's a no-brainer that Rush Springs native Joe Dorman pushed to make the watermelon a symbol for all of Oklahoma, it's been a cash cow for his hometown.

Rush Springs farmer Joel Tumblson has been successfully growing the melons for 15 years in the area.

"It's really the right kind of soil, the right kind of ground and the right kind of temperature to grow the sweetest watermelon," explained Tumblson.

Since the watermelon got its state title, the local watermelon festival in Rush Springs has seen the economic benefits pour in.

"Watermelons in Oklahoma, in Rush Springs, Oklahoma, is known all over the United States. We ship watermelons to Alaska, to Seattle, Washington. It brings bigger attendance and more sales, and it helps everybody in that area," said Tumblson.

State Representative Scooter Park says he's dedicated to making sure income continues to flow for Rush Springs, but also admits this year's legislature has bigger issues to tackle.

"My first thought was you know, we have a whole lot more pressing issues as a state that we face than this. We have to be able to concentrate our efforts somewhere else and make sure that we don't have to cross that path. But if it comes to that, I will stand and defend it," said Representative Park.

Until then, Tumblson says he'll continue to boost the local economy with the fruits, or in this case vegetables, of his labor.

"If we've got a better vegetable, then we should say it. We should say what it is. Until then, there's no reason to change it," said Tumblson.

We were able to reach state Senator Dahm late Tuesday afternoon, he said that rather than a full-out repeal of the title, he is working on creating an amendment that would name the watermelon as the state melon, not vegetable. He says he just doesn't personally believe watermelon is anything other than a fruit.

According to the U.S. Watermelon Board, the melon can be either a fruit or vegetable. It's sweet and grows from a seed like a fruit, but can also be considered a gourd and harvested like other vegetables.

The bill is just one of hundreds that would have to be approved by both the state House and Senate before becoming law. The 2015 legislative session begins on Monday.