Olive Production Seminar Planned

SAN ANTONIO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present an Olive Production and Management Seminar at the dairy barn located on the San Antonio Livestock Exposition grounds from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 15.

The dairy barn is closest to the West Gate/Gate A entrance at 3201 E. Houston St.

Registration is from 8:30-9 a.m. and the program is open to commercial olive producers, small-acreage farm operators and the general public.

The cost is $30 and lunch and light refreshments will be provided.

A seminar on olive production and management in Texas will be held Dec. 15 in San Antonio. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Kathleen Phillips)

“The Texas Olive Oil Council is helping sponsor the event, which will be helpful for anyone already involved in or interested in olive production and how to manage an olive orchard,” said David Rodriguez, AgriLife Extension agent for horticulture, Bexar County. “We have some well-known experts in Texas horticulture as presenters, and they will share their expertise and give insights into the pros and cons of olive production in Texas.”

Rodriguez said topics and presenters will include:

– The current status of Texas olive production, site selection and cold mitigation, Monte Nesbitt, AgriLife Extension horticulture program specialist, College Station.

– Comparing the advantages of growing olives in California and Texas, Jim Kamas, AgriLife Extension fruit specialist, Fredericksburg.

– The challenges of harvesting and milling olives, Dr. Larry Stein, associate department head and AgriLife Extension horticulture specialist, Uvalde.

– Current and past research projects by Texas Tech University, Dr. Thayne Montague, Texas Tech University associate professor of horticulture with joint appointment to Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Lubbock.

– Proposed Texas A&M AgriLife Research projects, Dr. Raul Cabrera, AgriLife Research horticulturist, Uvalde.

– AgriLife Extension variety and site selection trials, Nesbitt.

Presentations will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

To register and for more information, contact Angel Torres at 210-467-6575 or matorres@ag.tamu.edu. The registration deadline is noon Dec. 12.

Categories: Uncategorized