News
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Mid-Willamette Valley Small Farms Newsletter
Date: Friday, June 6th, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: North Willamette Research and Extension Center
15210 NE Miley Rd, Aurora, OR 97002
Cost: $30 , which includes morning refreshments and a boxed lunch from Fir Point Farms.
We understand that cost can be a barrier for some farmers, which is why we have scholarships available. Please don't hesitate to contact heather.stoven@oregonstate.edu for scholarship details.
*** Cancellations with a refund will only be issued on or before May 27th, 2025. Please plan accordingly and contact Heather Stoven in the case of a cancellation. ***
Program:
8:55-9:10: Registration
9:10am-9:15am: Welcome and introduction
9:15am-10:45am: Beth Wendland
- Are Olives for You? The economics of starting an orchard
10:45-11:00am: Break
11:00am-11:45am: Max Ragozzino
- Emerald Ash Borer updates
11:45am-12:30pm: Olive research update and survey
12:30-1:10pm: **LUNCH**
1:10pm-2:10pm: Paul Vossen
- Harvest timing and efficiency; fruit maturity and processing effects on oil quality.
2:10pm -3:00pm: Olive field tour
Link to registration: beav.es/Olives25
Upcoming olive pruning workshop in Dallas Oregon
Oregon Olive Growers Association (OOGA) Olive Education and Pruning class!
Do you want to enhance your pruning skills and learn best practices from industry experts? The Oregon Olive Growers Association (OOGA) invites you to register for our Olive Education and Pruning Class—an essential event for growers of all experience levels!
Date: Saturday, June 7th 2025, 9am - noon
Location: Oregon Olive Trees/Westwinds Farm, Dallas, OR 97338
Registration Deadline: May 31st, 2025
Renowned industry expert Paul Vossen will impart valuable insights into olive tree maintenance; sustainable growing methods tailored for Oregon's unique climate. and lead a pruning demonstration. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow growers and refine your growing skills
Register Now: https://ooga.simpletix.com/
Sponsored by Brewt Power Systems, A Premier Distributor of Specialty Olive Tools & Equipment
Upcoming workshops at the UC Davis Olive Center, Davis, CA. Dates and topics below. Click on the pdf link for details.
July 11th. Olive pomace valorization.
August 1st and 2nd. Everything you need to know to grow olives for oil.
September 12th and 13th. Advanced master milling.
Olive Harvest 2024!
The olive research plot is harvested each fall, prior to any frost. In 2024, we harvested on November 7th. We were fortunate to have rhe assistance of a dozen volunteers! We harvested a total of 83kg of fruit from about 2/3 of the trees in the plot. The total yield and fruit size is measured and we also estimate fruit maturity by color.
Ripeness of the fruit varied significantly between accessions at harvest. The photos below show the range of variability among 4 accessions:
'Azapa'
'Piqual'
'Bouquetien'
'Moraiolo'