Author: Sheri Crabtree
Planning Unit: Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Outcome: Initial Outcome
Three pawpaw grafting workshops were held at the Kentucky State University Research and Demonstration Farm, Franklin County Extension Office, and Blount County Public Library in April-June 2024, attended by a total of 55 people. At these workshops, participants learned three techniques for grafting pawpaw and other fruit trees, and received hands-on instruction on grafting techniques. Participants grafted two pawpaw trees each with improved cultivars, which they took home for planting. Pawpaw trees are in high demand and limited availability from nurseries, and sell for high prices due to the high demand and low supply, upwards of $50 to even $100 per tree. At Kentucky State University, we strive to assist small, limited resource farmers and other underserved groups, and prices like this may not be affordable. By learning how to graft, participants are able to propagate their own fruit trees in the future, helping to remove economic barriers to producing fruit at home. These trees will start fruiting in 2-3 years, producing 40-50 lbs of fruit on mature trees for 20-30 years, with a retail value of $3-5 per pound, providing a long lasting source of fresh fruit for participants.
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