Central Texas Olive Ranch / Wedding Venue

[Tabasco Jack]

Good looking project you got there. You might could find a used FEL to put on your tractor. I found a used bush hog QT2245 loader to go on my NH1710. Had to buy the sub-frame and New hoses. It's rated at 1400 lbs I think. Not big, but it sure makes moving stuff easier.

 

[flusher]

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!

Too much of imported olive oil is labeled "extra virgin" and is not. It's adulterated with cheap oils and shipped to the unwary customer in the U.S. Apparently the Mafia in Italy and Sicily is heavily involved in peddling this garbage.

UC Davis has an entire department devoted to olives and olive oil production. They've tested the stuff offered by local super markets and big box stores. IIRC about 1/4 of the brands failed the lab tests for extra virgin. This has given a boost to the CA olive oil industry in the past 10 years. Looks like TX is trying to cash in also.

 

[TomSeller]

Too much of imported olive oil is labeled "extra virgin" and is not. It's adulterated with cheap oils and shipped to the unwary customer in the U.S. Apparently the Mafia in Italy and Sicily is heavily involved in peddling this garbage.

UC Davis has an entire department devoted to olives and olive oil production. They've tested the stuff offered by local super markets and big box stores. IIRC about 1/4 of the brands failed the lab tests for extra virgin. This has given a boost to the CA olive oil industry in the past 10 years. Looks like TX is trying to cash in also.

I have heard that too and try to buy the better CA brands. Know if there is a trustworthy website listing the good, bad and ugly?

 

[txdon]

Sounds like an interesting project. Keep us updated!

 

[Spindifferent]

Good luck!

Central Texas Olive Ranch | Your #1 Source for Central Texas Olive Oil

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fruit-nut/files/2015/04/olives_2015.pdf

Texas Olive Oil Council

 

[Clay45]

Great location and beautiful property you have. Best of luck on your improvements and orchard. Right now get the well and irrigation straight. :thumbsup:

 

[flusher]

I have heard that too and try to buy the better CA brands. Know if there is a trustworthy website listing the good, bad and ugly?

http://olivecenter.ucdavis.edu/research/files/report041211finalreduced.pdf

The Most (and Least) Fake Extra Virgin Olive Oil Brands

 

[txdon]

Which variety of olive tree are you going with?

 

[TomSeller]

http://olivecenter.ucdavis.edu/research/files/report041211finalreduced.pdf

The Most (and Least) Fake Extra Virgin Olive Oil Brands

Amazing, there a some pretty big brands on that list that are failing the test.

 

[txdon]

I had two olive trees that froze and died last year and I'm about 30 miles North of Bastrop. I don't know the variety I had but apparently the wrong one.