SAN ANTONIO — “Experiences with Olives” is the name of a Texas bus tour set to depart Aug. 9 to showcase various growers who have faced the challenges of establishing and developing new olive orchards from the ground up, organizers said.
“Olive orchards have sprung up throughout South Texas over the last 10 years, and now represent the fifth highest acreage fruit crop in the state,” said Monte Nesbitt, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturist, College Station. “The event is open to anyone interested in olive production, from experienced growers to hobbyists to people who simply want to see an olive orchard.”
Monte Nesbitt, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture specialist, examines an olive tree in Central Texas. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension photo by Kathleen Phillips)
The bus tour begins at the La Quinta Inn & Suites, Downtown San Antonio at 8 a.m. and returns at 7 p.m. Four orchards of different ages, sizes and management styles will be toured. AgriLife Extension, the Texas Department of Agriculture and the Texas Association of Olive Oil are hosting the educational event.
Lunch is included in the $35 registration fee. Seating is limited and registration is first come, first served at http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/ by Aug. 1. Participants must travel on the bus.
Nesbitt said 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 the 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.
An Aug. 8 pre-tour education program also will be offered from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Blue Star Brewery, 1414 S. Alamo #105, San Antonio. 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. Dinner will be provided during this program.
A block of rooms for “TDA Olive Tour” has been set up at the La Quinta Inn & Suites Downtown, 100 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. Direct hotel contact is 210-212-5400.
For more information, contact Nesbitt, 979-862-1218, or MLnesbitt@tamu.edu.
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