Oregon Olives | Oregon Field Guide

It took a small but intrepid group of farmers to show that Oregon could be a center for grape growing and wine production. Now another small group is trying to prove the case for olive oil production. Enter Javier Fernandez-Salvador. The OSU berry and tree fruit expert is spearheading the research to find the right olive tree cultivar and growing regime to make it viable in the Willamette Valley.
The Olea project is a collaboration between Oregon State University (OSU) Extension’s Mid-Valley Small Farms Program and local olive growers.
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[@JohnFoley1701]

They should try growing them in some of the coastal valleys. Coquille valley gets some warm summers, but doesn’t get as cold in the winter. Only problem there is most of the low flat land floods in the winter so they would have to hug the edges of the valley. Apples, peaches and cherries are already growing everywhere. It would be nice to have some olives.

[@johnthoreson8775]

The southern coastal river valleys would be awesome. Coquille river... Could you imagine a tourism campaign of the sternwheeler with wine and olives?

[@novampires223]

I took some cuttings from trees growing in Port Orford, now growing them in Cave Junction. I hope they do well.

[@MrAcuta73]

LOL, wow....olives in Oregon! May yet happen, would love to try some local olive oil! Gonna have to get some. I've been trying my hand at a few citrus trees here in Clackamas. So far a Meyer Lemon, Kaffir Lime, and a Yuzu...no fruit yet, but only because of a mealybug infestation. My lime lost about a dozen sets last year, sadly. By Spring, I might have my first fruit! If not? The leaves are amazing for cooking anyway. 😉

[@yochanontheseeker1942]

Are they in ground and unprotected?

[@hugoramirez4740]

I love olives, I know someone who has a small olive tree, and it looks amazing.

[@janefinley-english1051]

How exciting! Sounds like a learning process & I’m happy they are continuing to persevere.

[@allouttabubblegum1984]

They need to collaborate with One Green World nursery, they have a lot of cold tolerant varieties. Also, by putting rocks around, that could also help absorb heat and warm up the soil. My best growing years with tomatoes and peppers are because of a wall of cinder blocks behind of the plants on the North side facing south.

[@musicalADD_theband]

My aberquina was totally uncovered during this last winter front earlier this year. Houston was 15 for a night and in the 20s for 3 nights after. Looks bare but I’m hopeful!

[@guyh.4553]

I absolutely love land grant colleges! Once again, innovation at its finest. My one main question: With getting the olives established, are you also trying to get a more cold hardiness variety through plant breeding? That would be great. Thanks for the great show!

[@LoriCurl]

I love this and hope this is a huge success! I live near Aurora, about 10, 15 minutes away.

[@KeylonMcGuire]

They would likely find a fairly good match in terms of terrain and climate for parts of Oregon if they go near Genoa in Liguria, Italy where some of the high quality Frantoio variety of olives grow in the hills along the coast.

[@bolengerin]

@@KeylonMcGuire There's a part of the mountains in Galicia with wet cool weather and cold spells with adapted varieties that also might be suitable. Almost down to -15C in some parts

[@masonbal37]

Very cool!

[@yochanontheseeker1942]

Would be nice to hear what kinds they’re having success with.

[@khiem1939]

I live in Western Arizona, where on would "think" that cacti would grow great, they did....for a few years in Golden Valley until we received a very cold winter nearly a decade ago, and virtually all the cacti in this business froze and died!

[@barbaramcspadden8655]

Good friend in Phoenix who had a date and olive tree business where he worked trees on private properties for ages. He's retired due to health. Made some of the best olives I've tasted.

[@LA-qt3tr]

Is there any you pick olive in Oregon? I don't care about the taste event and toure, I'm looking to mill or pickel fresh olive and have the experience to really enjoy fresh olive.

[@angelinaparodi9721]

That's so exciting..I love a good olive oil and will try and find it here locally instead of having it shipped from Italy!👍

[@dianneirinaga8995]

Durants and down south there is one called River Ranch.

[@angelinaparodi9721]

@@dianneirinaga8995 Thank you for letting me know!👍

[@christheodoropoulos2237]

I live in Tampa Florida and we’re growing some olive trees but we can’t get fruit What we need to?

[@suzettecalleja3122]

The Middle East???? The Mediterranean countries have been growing olives for centuries.

[@davidbrogan606]

Millennia,

[@michaeltoney2277]

Yeah it went to Italy from the Middle East

[@凯思]

Sounds like wealthy people able to take big risks betting that they will be able to sell small quantities of very expensive olive oils to other wealthy people. Is this really the best use of OSU’s limited resources?

[@BigBoysWorkshop]

Every time I see a commercial on TV by these guys I think of the song O.P.P. from Naughty by Nature. "You down with OPP, yeah, you know me!" 😆

[@mattportnoyTLV]

This is great but WTAH why are they wearing masks outside? That’s weird.

[@dianneirinaga8995]

Really..good point but there are those WHO want to keep people fearful.

[@e.s.8684]

That was a government mandate.

[@mattportnoyTLV]

@@e.s.8684 that’s even weirder. There’s never been a single recorded instance of outdoor covid transmission. What happened to ‘trust the science’?

[@CH-cw3uj]

Are olive trees highly allergenic? Why do they wear masks near the trees?

[@JohnC-ur5ut]

Why are you STILL wearing masks ? Do the olives have a disease that will injure or Kill humans ? Should we fear wild olives ?

[@taliebocci]

First, because it looks like it was filmed in 2021/2022; second, because some people need to protect themselves from morons.

[@aphilippinesadventure9184]

Maybe grow olives in a suitable climate...lol

[@titus4166]

If it’s not indigenous to the area. DONT GROW IT! There’s a reason you grow certain crops and in certain areas. This the most stupid thing I’ve seen. And I hate seeing plants be brought in from other biomes that don’t belong.

[@andrewwayne1512]

Nice masks 😷 😆 🤣 😂

[@Rachel-ul8et]

Trying something new is brave. I love local food, and am grateful you are doing this. Have you tried curing the olives 🫒 to eat whole?

[@yafois988]

These would be perfect in a WALIPINI garden! Walipini is an Indian name for warm place or warm room". Wherein you use the earth heat in this 8B Zone of near 52 degree all year long to keep its thermal needs stabilized. The wonderful benefits of this type garden. Examples exist about these underground things.