Central Texas Olive Ranch / Wedding Venue

   / Central Texas Olive Ranch / Wedding Venue #1  

Cjm005

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2015
Messages
48
Location
Cypress, TX
Tractor
Ford 1715
After being inspired by some of the other projects, I thought I would perhaps share our own dream / project. We recently purchased 28 acres in Central TX - close to Bastrop and Smithville. The property is 1/3 coastal pasture and 2/3 wooded - mostly oak and cedar.

Our dream is to own a fully operational olive tree farm and wedding venue / event facility. We are planning on building a rustic style barn and small cottage that will be used for business. For those that don't know, olive trees are a new but growing industry in TX. Our goal is to eventually have 14-20 acres of orchard, or 3000 to 4000 trees.

As purchased, the property has no improvements - water or electricity. No buildings, some perimeter 5 strand fencing. The soil is a nice sandy loam. Enough talking and some pictures:

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   / Central Texas Olive Ranch / Wedding Venue
  • Thread Starter
#2  
The property was purchased in August, and we have been mostly clearing brush from under oak trees where the first building will go. We are planning on a 30x50' steel building that will serve as workshop and orchard maintenance HQ.

I never have seen so many youpon trees in my life, they are literally under every tree. Until now have been clearing the old fashion way - sweat and chain saws:

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   / Central Texas Olive Ranch / Wedding Venue
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Trying to catch up over the last couple of months. The electricity is in. We ran the poles down north side of property to lower impact do my orchard. There is 15' easement so I wanted to minimal room taken up. The local coop charges almost $7 per foot.... Yikes.

Still need to install some outdoor plugs and will run power to the well house and irrigation house once installed. We're on the well list - around here it's a 3-6 month wait for a well. We're estimating 300-400' feet deep and a 3HP motor.

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   / Central Texas Olive Ranch / Wedding Venue
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Last update for now and brings us to current.

Finally bought me a tractor, it's a 1997 NH 1715 4x4. I really could have used a FEL but could not pass on this one. Low miles and single owner. I'll have to do without for now. The tractor will be used mainly for mowing now - but this year I will be preparing two acres for planting. That means plowing, disc and making some raised berms.

Still shooting to have the concrete pad and steel building installed this summer. Still on waiting list for the well to be drilled! Have also met with the nursery who will provide olive trees. We will be doing soil tests in March to see what corrections needed.

Newest pics:

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   / Central Texas Olive Ranch / Wedding Venue #6  
Yes, beautiful land you have there. I am curious how everything turns out
 
   / Central Texas Olive Ranch / Wedding Venue #7  
I love what you are doing, gorgeous land and an awesome plan. The olive market is taking off here, I have been tempted to plant a few and see what I can do. We played the well drillers long lead times game but found a company that had more than enough equipment and instead of 6-9 weeks to get on the schedule, they came in a week. If you want their name and number, let me know.
 
   / Central Texas Olive Ranch / Wedding Venue #8  
Nice property.
What type of olives: hand-picked or machine-harvested?
Around here (Corning, CA) there are thousands of acres of 100-year old olive trees that are hand-picked for the table olive business.
About 15 years ago the extra virgin olive oil business boomed in this part of the North Sacramento Valley.
California Olive Ranch planted over 10,000 acres of trellised olive plants (more shrub than tree) that are machine-harvested and sent to their olive mill in Artois, CA.

Good luck with your project.
 
   / Central Texas Olive Ranch / Wedding Venue #9  
Nice property.
What type of olives: hand-picked or machine-harvested?
Around here (Corning, CA) there are thousands of acres of 100-year old olive trees that are hand-picked for the table olive business.
About 15 years ago the extra virgin olive oil business boomed in this part of the North Sacramento Valley.
California Olive Ranch planted over 10,000 acres of trellised olive plants (more shrub than tree) that are machine-harvested and sent to their olive mill in Artois, CA.

Good luck with your project.
 
   / Central Texas Olive Ranch / Wedding Venue
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Nice property.
What type of olives: hand-picked or machine-harvested?
Around here (Corning, CA) there are thousands of acres of 100-year old olive trees that are hand-picked for the table olive business.
About 15 years ago the extra virgin olive oil business boomed in this part of the North Sacramento Valley.
California Olive Ranch planted over 10,000 acres of trellised olive plants (more shrub than tree) that are machine-harvested and sent to their olive mill in Artois, CA.

Good luck with your project.

So interestingly... the US imports over 99% of it's olive and olive oils, the remaining 1% coming from California. Texas is just beginning this industry, and there are just a handful of small orchards trying to compete with unlimited market. Personally am planning on hand-picking for olive oil, although certainly not ruling out additional products. There are a couple of very beautiful orchards within a few hours of us - but nothing too close. Part of the overall appeal is to combine the beauty of the orchard with the wedding venue to create a great place for people to book events. Looking forward to posting additional pictures!
 

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