The experts said it couldn’t be done. South Texas scrub brush country
wouldn’t produce enough quality olive trees for commercial olive oil enterprises,
no matter how great the demand for olive oil in the United States.
Several growers are proving the experts wrong.
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This past week, the Texas Olive Ranch, in Carrizo Springs, became the
first grower and olive oil producer to mechanically harvest their 40,000
three-year-old high density orchard of Arbequina, Arbosana, Koroneiki
olive trees in Texas. On the morning of September 8, the New Holland
mechanical harvester trundled off its carrier and began the task of collecting
olives. By midmorning, the first barrel of Arbequina extra virgin olive
oil was collected from their new Alfa Laval mill. Jim Henry, one of the
partners at T.O.R., estimates they harvested a total of 100 tons for 2007.
A great beginning!
In Dilley, Texas, David and Beverly Anderson have planted a 10 acre high
density orchard of the same three clone varietals and should be ready for
mechanical harvest next year. Closer to San Antonio, Texas, Sandy Winokur,
owner of the Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard, has planted a high density
orchard of 10,000 trees.
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