People of the Fruit -- 03 -- R. Neal Peterson -- Secret Pawpaw Project @ WV University

Two weeks ago, we visited "papa pawpaw," R. Neal Peterson, the man responsible for a significant breeding line of superior cultivar pawpaws (Wabash, Tallahatchie, Shenandoah, Susquehanna, Potomac, Allegheny, Rappahannock), a project which largely took place in the 90's & early 00's. He has continued working with them (in particular Wabash) and has a few acres and aces up his sleeve still. While I'm not allowed to show you here, I will say that the project is novel, and involves the input of other scrubby southeastern Asimina species. R. Neal is a delightful man, a humble human, and a trove of information about Asimina.