Activities

 Collection, preservation, and evaluation of germplasm. Since 1978, Neal Peterson, founder of the PawPaw Foundation, has been engaged in pawpaw research. He has investigated a half-dozen historic collections of pawpaws dating from the first half of the 20th century, assembled germplasm consisting of 1,900 trees now growing at the University of Maryland experiment stations, and collected and analyzed data from those trees. Peterson and Harry Swartz of the University of Maryland have evaluated and chosen the best trees, which have served as parents for controlled crosses.

Technical assistance and cooperation among scientists. Horticulturists, geneticists, pharmacognosists, and food scientists at four state universities are investigating aspects of pawpaw culture and utilization, and the PawPaw Foundation actively encourages communication and cooperation between them. For instance, more than a ton of pawpaw bark was contributed to Jerry McLaughlin of Purdue University to assist him with official testing, as required by FDA and EPA, of the insecticidal and anticancer compounds he has isolated from pawpaws. The Foundation fosters cooperation among researchers through correspondence, conferences, and other communication.

Distribution of fruit. Because sources of quality pawpaws are extremely limited, the PawPaw Foundation occasionally makes available pawpaw fruit samples that can be analyzed by scientists, used in culinary experimentation by gourmet chefs, or evaluated in consumer trials and market research by produce specialists.

Newsletter. The Foundation publishes a semiannual informal newsletter as a clearinghouse of information for scientists, growers, and consumers interested in the rational development of the pawpaw. It provides citation and summary of professional journal articles as well as observations, experiences, and experimental results contributed by readers. The newsletter also reports on internal Foundation activities such as fundraising, recipe contests, progress in developing new orchards, and the like. Dues-paying members of the PawPaw Foundation receive the newsletter free of charge.

Membership Directory. The Foundation publishes a directory of its members. Get in touch with other pawpaw enthusiasts in your area and share your experiences, ask the experts for advice, find buyers and sellers of pawpaws, start up a seed exchange, make new friends. The directory is available only to members of the PawPaw Foundation.

How You Can Help

Obviously, the PawPaw Foundation is interested in bringing to light wild pawpaw trees of superior fruiting quality (or some other unusual trait). Although the majority of cultivars and collected germplasm originated in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan (possibly the best wild germplasm is concentrated in those four Midwestern states), the pawpaw is also native to 21 other states where interesting or superior clones may be found. In all likelihood, "old-timers" already know where superior wild pawpaw trees are. It may only be necessary to interview them in order to find the trees. If this idea appeals to you, write the Foundation for a copy of a guide to assist you in the evaluation of wild pawpaw trees.

You can become a member of the PawPaw Foundation. Your membership brings you the satisfaction of knowing you are helping to advance North America's largest edible native fruit, and entitles you to receive the Foundation's newsletter and membership directory. Annual dues are $20.

The PawPaw Foundation is an IRS-approved 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation. A small organization with no endowment, it is totally dependent on the generosity of individuals and other organizations for support. Donations in any amount are gladly accepted and are tax deductible. Donors of $50 or more receive a handsome certificate, suitable for framing, recognizing them as a Friend of the PawPaw.

Finally, there is one more thing to do, a simple and enjoyable task: Eat more pawpaws.