May 2005
Organic olive oil production short course in Santa Rosa
Northern California organic olive oil.(photo by Jack Kelly Clark)
DAVIS—In response to growing demand for organic olive oil and an increasingly competitive market, the University of California Cooperative Extension is offering a one-day course in organic oil production May 27 in Santa Rosa.
"Organic olive oil production could be a significant niche in California's agriculture industry," said Paul Vossen, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor in Sonoma and Marin counties, one of the program organizers. "We're pleased to be able to offer this short course with presentations by local and statewide experts on all aspects of organic olive oil production, and an opportunity to taste a variety of organic olive oils."
A field visit to Santa Rosa Junior College's (SRJC) super-high-density olive orchard will conclude the day. All participants will receive a manual on the topics covered.
Laura Mendes, SRJC sustainable agriculture instructor, will introduce the short course. Steve Gliessman, UC Santa Cruz agroecology department professor, will discuss the agroecology of an olive orchard, while Vossen will present information on site selection and preparation, varieties and production systems. He will also lead participants through the organic olive oil tasting.
UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor Joe Connell, Butte County, will present information on organic olive oil nutrition, while Tom Lanini, UC weed ecology specialist, will talk about weed control alternatives. Bill Krueger, UCCE farm advisor, Glenn/Tehama counties, will discuss prevention and control of common olive insects and diseases using organic methods, while UC research associate Alexandra Devarenne of Santa Rosa will focus on the olive fruit fly.
Composting olive waste will be the topic of Jeff Creque's discussion. He is a land stewardship consultant and supervisor of mill operations at McEvoy Ranch. Anita Sauber and Stacy Carlsen of the Marin Agricultural Commissioner's office will discuss organic certification requirements.
Other sponsoring organizations are the UC Sustainable Agriculture and Research and Education Program (SAREP), SRJC, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture's "Buy California" Initiative.
The 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. course will take place at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. The cost is $60, which includes lunch, the course manual and the Shone Farm tour. For more information, contact Vossen at (707) 565-2621 or pmvossen@ucdavis.edu. The short course brochure is available online at http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/Organic/olive.pdf.
Media Contacts:
Lyra Halprin, (530) 752-8664, lhalprin@ucdavis.edu
