Registration Requirements: Preregistration required. 

Recommended Audience: This program is designed for adults. Older youth (10+) who are interested in the topic are welcome with an adult.

Program Description: We can raise pawpaw trees that benefit both humans and wildlife by understanding how pawpaw trees came about and how they fit into natural systems. Drawing from history, botany, and evolution, we’ll better understand how to choose planting sites, grow a pawpaw tree from a seed, promote pollination, protect fruit from raccoons, harvest and process fruit, and more. Whether you’re growing pawpaw trees in your yard, wondering why there’s no fruit in your woodland pawpaw patch, or trying to raise zebra swallowtail butterflies, this class is for you.

About the Program Guide: A 25+ year veteran of Cincinnati Nature Center (CNC), Jason Neumann currently serves as public programs manager, crafting experiences that immerse visitors in nature and leading interpretive trainings. He works towards translating CNC’s “plant native” initiative into visitor engagement opportunities and has a special interest in connecting people to nature through food. Growing up on a small farm sparked his deep interest in agriculture, which was fanned to flame through a BS degree in Crop and Soil Sciences (Michigan State University), and later a graduate certificate in Agroforestry (University of Missouri – Columbia). Drawing from the perspective of a farmer/naturalist, he seeks to work with nature, whether in his suburban backyard operation called Someday Farm, the CNC Edible Plants and Foraging Group (founded in 2013), or managing the native perennial polyculture plots and native 2-acre pawpaw grove at Long Branch Farm & Trails. Jason is on the board of the Ohio Pawpaw Growers Association. 

What to Expect: We will likely be sitting or standing for periods of time, as well as walking to tour pawpaw patch examples. Some optional hands-on experiences included. Trails/areas used during this program are rated as moderate (some elevation changes; trails may be uneven or could be slippery when wet) for a planned distance of 1 mile at a moderate pace.

• Restrooms are available at the start and end of the program. Restrooms are not available on the trails.
• This program is mostly outdoors with indoor options available in the case of severe weather. 
• Program runs rain or shine.

What to Bring: Water bottle.

What to Wear: Dress for the weather and to step off the trail.

Where to Meet: Registered participants will meet at the Creekside Barn at our Long Branch Farm & Trails location. (6926 Gaynor Rd, Goshen, OH 45122)

Cost: Program fees include daily admission.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are there free pawpaw trees included in the class? Regrettably, the 2025 pawpaw season did not yield sufficient seeds/seedlings. In this class, you'll gain knowledge for success (but no plant material this year).

Check your email for registration information regarding this transaction. SAVE A TREE, please retain your order number or save an electronic copy of the email acknowledgement as a receipt. You may be asked for your order number from your transaction to gain entry at the gate/to attend your program. Visitor Services associates can also verify your etickets from the order number or by name.

Please note that our program and cancellation policies vary. By completing registration for this program, you agree to the following general program policies.