Capture Early Season Market with Valor Watermelon
In Patterson, California, the Maring family farm's partnership with Syngenta Vegetable Seeds demonstrates how innovative watermelon varieties can transform commercial growing operations. Through collaborative field trials and comprehensive crop protection solutions, growers are disovering Valor watermelon's early maturity and premium quality for meeting early-season demand.
Proven Performance through Partnership
Syngenta's Grown for Generations campaign highlights partnerships with multigenerational farming families like the Marings. Syngenta works closely with watermelon growers to test new varieties through in-field trials, evaluating brix levels and fruit firmness to provide data that helps growers make informed planting decisions. This collaborative approach has led growers to Valor watermelon, a variety that delivers on multiple fronts:
Valor Benefits
Earlier harvest timing, ideal for peak holiday demand
Strong disease resistance package
Striking rind and flesh color contrast
High fruit setting potential
Fourth-generation grower Mark Maring started his watermelon career with Syngenta eight years ago, and today the operation continues to expand its use of Syngenta varieties. Mark's father, third-generation grower Matt Maring, notes the company's leadership in the industry. "In the watermelon business, Syngenta is writing the book on where we're gonna go and who's the boss in this business," Matt says.
Valor's Market Impact
Valor's early maturity is particularly valuable for the July 4th market window, one of the year's most important watermelon holidays. The combination of timing, quality, and visual appeal makes Valor a reliable choice for growers who need consistent performance.
Last year, the Marings tested Valor in a single trial plot. This year, they planted 30 acres. The expansion speaks to the variety's performance in commercial operations.
"It's been everything that we have expected," Mark explains. "It's been significantly earlier. The quality is beautiful. The rind color and the flesh color, very beautiful and contrasting. Everything they claimed it would do, it's doing. So what more can you ask for than that?"
To learn more about Valor watermelon and the Grown for Generations campaign, visit syngentavegetables.com/en-us or connect with your Syngenta sales representative.
© 2026 Syngenta. Some or all of the varieties may be protected under one or more of the following: Plant Variety Protection, United States Plant Patents and/or Utility Patents and may not be propagated or reproduced without authorization. Syngenta logo is a trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
