The problem

To increase awareness of KY native Pawpaw tree, experience the unique flavor of the Pawpaw fruit, gain knowledge in cooking and the nutrition of Pawpaws, and learn best practices on growing Pawpaw trees. We also wanted to involve our EC Homemaker Clubs as a partner as a way to promote the Homemaker mission in our community and to try to increase membership.

The educational program response

Overwhelming positive response to this program. It was fun, educational and hands-on and a great venue to promote the services we provide in our extension office.

The participants/target audience

Mostly older adults, 2 youth attended this program. Our target audience was any community member/family group who had an interest in learning about a native KY plant. We knew this lesson would mostly interest an older audience who had heard of the Pawpaws growing up through songs or stories. Our hope is to increase Pawpaw awareness in our younger generation throughout time as well.

Other partners (if applicable)

Edmonson County Conservation District provided all participants with 2 Pawpaw trees to take home and grow, KSU agents Megan Treadway and Lindsay Heyvaert led the lesson/provided research materials, Bridget Poteet (KSU/EC 4-H agent) partnered with me in design and implementation, Megan Treadway (KSU Area FSC agent), Lindsay Heyvaert (KSU Farm Agent), our EC Homemakers worked together with me and Bridget (KSU4-H agent) to sponsor, and Edmonson County Library ,ECPL, allowed us to host this program at their facility.

Program impact or participant response.

This was my 1st "big" program I implemented as the new FCS/4-H agent in Edmonson County. We had 19 participants. More than 95% of participants had no idea how to grow the tree,100 % had never tasted its fruit or new any way to utilize its fruit. People absolutely loved this program and we have already seen an increase in the interest of more Pawpaw lessons from our community as well as more hands-on programs like this from our office. We are also doing a very similar lesson with a science class at ECHS on April 23, 2024. Our EC Homemakers were thrilled to be able to be involved with this program as a way to increase membership and to be able to promote the good things going on in their clubs. We had 1 member added to a Homemaker Club!