Farmer Education Network

Encouraging, supporting, and training farmers through a network of dynamic partnerships including the Farmer to Farmer Skill Share program, Regenerative Farmer Fellowship, and building relationships with regional farmers through conference participation & networking opportunities.

  • Our Regional Agricultural Initiatives Director, Tia Stuart, models her work after the Jesup Wagon developed by the renowned Tuskegee Institute scientist and educator George Washington Carver. This mobile classroom approach helps us bring agricultural education to farmers and growers across the region. Contact Tia Stuart at tstuart@agrariacenter.org to be added to our mailing list for classes, farm tours, and agricultural events.

  • We also host an onsite free seed library in partnership with Miami Valley Seed Commons to help teach growers to save, select, and regionally adapt seeds. If you’d like to request seed library support or a Traveling Seed Library visit for an event, contact Florentina at florentina@agrariacenter.org.

Resources from our Pawpaw & Persimmon Growing & Grafting Farmer to Farmer Skill Sharing (F2FSS) & Networking session:

 Pawpaw Resources
• Kentucky State University Pawpaw Program - https://www.kysu.edu/academics/college-ahnr/school-of-anr/pawpaw/index.php
• Pawpaw planting and care guides - attached 
• Variety and grafting information - https://www.petersonpawpaws.com/grafting/

2026 Pawpaw Festival (28th annual)  - https://ohiopawpawfest.com/

 Persimmon Resources
• American persimmon production guides - attached
• Information on astringency  - https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/edis/2024/05/24/making-astringent-persimmon-edible/
• Harvesting and use recommendations - https://www.foodforestnursery.com/growing-guides/fruit-trees/persimmon-tree-growing-guide/persimmon-ripening-chart/

Recipies - https://www.allrecipes.com/recipes/1112/fruits-and-vegetables/fruits/persimmons/

2026 Persimmon Festival (78th annual) - https://persimmonfestival.org/ 

The Regenerative Farmer Fellowship (RFF) is a regional agricultural initiative of Agraria Center for Regenerative Practice in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and Central State University.

Stay tuned for updates on current RFF offerings or contact Tia Stuart at tstuart@agrariacenter.org.