frequently draws people from across the state, country and world to Kentucky State to learn more about the fruit. Each year, hundreds of people attend Kentucky State's Third Thursday Thing workshop about pawpaw; since the pandemic, people from across the world have also been able to join virtually.

Last year, a baby came dressed as a pawpaw. One man drives every year from Tennessee, with “Honk if you love pawpaw” written across the back of his car. A pawpaw grower came from France to study American pawpaws and visited Kentucky State.

Mainstream interest in pawpaw has grown and grown, Crabtree said. In years past, pawpaws would get some interest from regional journalists; last year, Kentucky State’s pawpaw research and photos were featured in National Geographic. Crabtree was once on the cover of a horticulture journal, scooping pawpaw ice cream (another big hit at Kentucky State events). Someone asked her to autograph the cover. A family who came to a Third Thursday workshop asked to take a photo with Kentucky State researchers. “You all are rockstars!” Lowe remembered the man saying.

Crabtree was once on the cover of a horticulture journal, scooping pawpaw ice cream (another big hit at Kentucky State events). Someone asked her to autograph the cover. A family who came to a Third Thursday workshop asked to take a photo with Kentucky State researchers. "You all are rockstars!" Lowe remembered the man saying.

“There are definitely enthusiasts,” Crabtree said about growers and fans of pawpaw. “Because it’s something that’s kind of unique and weird, it attracts people that are super passionate about it.”

ABOVE: Sheri Crabtree, center, hosts KET's The Farmer and The Foodie for an episode featuring pawpaws at the Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm in Frankfort on Sept. 8, 2021. RIGHT: Jeremy Lowe teaches during the annual pawpaw grafting workshop offered by Kentucky State at the Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm in Frankfort on May 5, 2022. | Photos by Jonathan Palmer