By Kirk W. Pomper
Kentucky State University and the PawPaw Foundation hosted a Pawpaw Workshop on Saturday, September 11, 2004, at the KSU Research Farm in Frankfort, Kentucky. Approximately 100 people—including tobacco farmers, producers for farmer’s markets, home gardeners, university faculty, and members of the press—attended the workshop. Participants were from 13 U.S. states as well as Germany. After KSU Provost Dr. Juanita Fleming led the group in a moment of silence to remember those lost in the 2001 terrorist attacks, there were presentations as well as opportunities to taste pawpaw fruit. Dr. Kirk Pomper, the Principal Investigator of Horticulture in the KSU Land Grant Program, made two presentations: “Pawpaw 101” and “An Update on the Kentucky Pawpaw Regional Variety Trial.” A Propagation Roundtable, led by Dr. Robert Geneve, University of Kentucky (UK) and Ms. Sheri Crabtree (KSU), concerned cooperative research between the two universities in seedling and clonal propagation methods.
Attendees at the KSU Pawpaw Workshop tour the Regional Variety Trial orchard.
pawpaw fruit ripening and storage. Drs. Changzheng Wang and Meshack Afitlhile, both from KSU, presented research on the high antioxidant capacity and healthy polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles in pawpaw fruit.
Mr. Neal Peterson of the PawPaw Foundation announced the release of new pawpaw cultivars. Pomper, Peterson, and Chris Chmiel of Integration Acres discussed the
marketing of the pawpaws.
Kentucky Pawpaw Regional Variety Trial." A Propagation Roundtable, led by Dr. Robert Geneve, University of Kentucky (UK) and Ms. Sheri Crabtree (KSU), concerned cooperative research between the two universities in seedling and clonal propagation methods.
After the formal presentations, participants tasted over 20 paw-paw fruit varieties, toured the Kentucky State University orchards, and sampled pawpaw ice cream and pawpaw wine.
After KSU Provost Dr. Juanita Fleming led the group in a moment of silence to remember those lost in the 2001 terrorist attacks, there were presentations as well as opportunities to taste pawpaw fruit. Dr. Kirk Pomper, the Principal Investigator of Horticulture in the KSU Land Grant Program, made two presentations: “Pawpaw 101” and “An Update on the
Dr. Douglas Archbold and Ms. Federica Galli, both from UK, discussed cooperative research on pawpaw fruit ripening and storage. Drs. Changzheng Wang and Meshack Afitlhile, both from KSU, presented research on the high antioxidant capacity and healthy polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles in pawpaw fruit.
For information concerning pawpaw and future workshops, please call Dr. Kirk Pomper at 502- 597-5942 or e-mail him at kpomper@gwmail.kysu.edu.
The PawPaw Foundation Board of Directors is sponsoring a contest for a drawing, or other artwork, in the form of a pawpaw postage stamp. The winning artwork will be submitted by PPF to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee for review as a future stamp. PPF will award $250 to the artist who submits the winning artwork, with $250 more awarded if the post office actually issues the stamp. A post office website that describes how stamps are selected can be found at: http://usps.com/communications/organization/csac.htm. Stamp designing is an unusual art form requiring exacting skill in portraying a subject within very small dimensions. For further information, e-mail Dr. Kirk Pomper at kpomper@dcr.net or call 502-597-6174.
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