March 2007
UC releases organic olive production manual
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, University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisors and researchers have produced an organic olive production manual.
"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, a co-author of the manual. "We're pleased to be able to offer this resource for growers."
Organic Olive Production Manual provides detailed information for growers on production issues, economics, pest control, harvest, and organic certification and registration. The 112-page publication includes 45 photographs.
The manual, ANR Publication 3505, may be ordered from the UC ANR Publications Web site at http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu. The cost is $18. The manual was developed as a supplement to ANR's Olive Production Manual, 2nd Edition, (ANR Publication 3353).
"Growers are advised to consult both publications as they develop and refine their production systems," said David Chaney, project coordinator. Chaney is the education coordinator of the UC Davis-based statewide UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.
Organic Olive Production Manual is the first in a series of publications produced with funding from the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s “Buy California" Initiative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to Chaney. Other publications will address organic production of vegetables, winegrapes, and strawberries.
In addition to being a co-author, Vossen is the technical editor of Organic Olive Production Manual. Co-authors also include Chaney, Alexandra Kicenik Devarenne, Joseph H. Connell, William H. Krueger, W. Thomas Lanini, Jeffrey A. Creque, Stephen R. Gliessman, Ray Green, and L. Ann Thrupp. Jeri Ohmart is the publication coordinator.
Media Contact:
Lyra Halprin, (530) 752-8664, lhalprin@ucdavis.edu
