Success StoryHelping stakeholders learn to propagate pawpaw seedlings through workshop participation



Helping stakeholders learn to propagate pawpaw seedlings through workshop participation

Author: Kirk Pomper

Planning Unit: Agriculture and Natural Resources Programs

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Pawpaw propagation presentations were held at the Frankfort Community Seed Swap which was held at the Paul Sawyier Public Library in March, 2024 in Frankfort, Kentucky. A total of 140 persons attended the event. At these presentations, participants learned about pawpaw production and received hands-on instruction on the seed propagation of pawpaw. Participants then received a packet of 10 pawpaw seeds and written instructions on how to grow out the pawpaw seeds in containers or pots at 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. Nurseries are selling pawpaw seedling trees for as much as $50 per tree. At Kentucky State University, our goal is to assist small, limited resource farmers and other underserved groups in finding new economic enterprises such as the production of unique fruit crops. Stakeholders who participated in this event were able to propagate their own pawpaw fruit trees and learn about new economic opportunities and also remove economic barriers to producing fruit at home. The seedling trees will start fruiting in 4-5 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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