At the 2025 National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) Annual Meeting, Celine Richard, a N.C. Cooperative Extension, Forsyth County Center Horticulture Agent, was recognized as a National Finalist for the Search for Excellence in Commercial & Consumer Horticulture. The purpose of this award is to recognize a NACAA member who has developed and carried out an outstanding extension program in horticulture. Celine was selected based on her annual Pawpaw Field Day program, which has taken place every September for the past four years. Celine accepted the award which honored her along with teammates, who are Extension professionals working in the Forsyth County Center and nearby counties.

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the largest edible fruit native to North America. The fruit has a smooth flesh and can take on many flavors similar to banana, mango, or pineapple. Pawpaw is nutritious as it contains Vitamin A, C, and K, and many minerals, including zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus. This plant also supports the environment by serving as a host for the zebra swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus), and supporting erosion control and pollution filtration around waterways.

The Pawpaw Field Day is an event that takes place at Extension's Forsyth County Center, which is home to a 30-tree demonstration plot of pawpaw trees. This space is the perfect location to host this hands-on program to educate the community and producers on the benefits of incorporating pawpaw trees on their land and the most up-to-date practices to do so. Program areas such as Family & Consumer Sciences, Horticulture, and Natural Resources are represented at this event through demonstration booths and lectures. Local pawpaw farmers are also invited to network with attendees and to sell grafted pawpaws to those who are looking for specific varieties. Participants also have the opportunity to take home seeds collected from the Forsyth County Center’s orchard at no cost.

Pawpaw Field Day continues to be a growing success, with 2,170 attendees over the past four years. This year's event will take place on September 6, 2025, from 10:00 a.m.-3 p.m. This year's event will include orchard tours, pawpaw tasting, educational talks, and pawpaw trees for sale.

Article written by Addison Bonner, summer intern