Experiences with Olives

Olive orchards have sprung up throughout South Texas over the last ten years, and now represent the fifth highest acreage fruit crop in the state. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and the Texas Association of Olive Oil are hosting an educational bus tour for participants to see and hear “Experiences with Olives” from growers who have faced the challenges of establishing and developing new olive orchards from the ground up. The bus tour begins at the La Quinta Inn & Suites, Downtown San Antonio on Tuesday morning, August 9th, at 8:00 am. Four orchards of different ages, sizes and management style will be toured, and the bus will return to the hotel by 7:00pm. During the tour, participants will get to see the 2016 olive crop in late season development, hear experiences from orchard owners, and learn cultural practices, harvesting practices and complexities of milling olives into oil. AgriLife Extension specialists and TDA representatives will be present throughout the event to provide insight on challenges of growing olives in Texas. Lunch on Wednesday is included in the $35 registration fee.

Tour participants will also be provided a pre-tour educational program on Monday evening, August 8th, at the Blue Star Brewery in San Antonio, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Soil management, irrigation, tree fertility and weed management will be discussed along with future events and program announcements by the Texas Association of Olive Oil.

This event is open to anyone interested in olive production, from experienced growers to hobbyists or people simply curious about what an olive orchard looks like. Seating is limited and registration is first come/first serve by August 1^st, 2016. Participants must travel on the bus and no walk-up registration will be allowed. This event is made possible by the Texas Department of Agriculture and is sponsored by the Texas Association of Olive Oil.

A block of rooms has been set up at the La Quinta Inn & Suites Downtown, 100 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. Room rates for August 8th and 9th is $105/King & $107/Double Queen by 7/25/16. Direct hotel contact is (210) 212-5400. The group room rate block name is “TDA Olive Tour”. Hotel website is: http://www.laquintasanantoniodowntown.com/.

For more information, contact Monte Nesbitt, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Horticulture in College Station; (979) 862-1218; Email MLnesbitt@tamu.edu.