California Ag Network

Tag: OOCC

  • New Board Representatives at the Olive Oil Commission of California

    The Olive Oil Commission of California (OOCC) recently held an election to allow California olive oil producers to select representatives to its Board of Directors. Election results were announced at the June 6 Board meeting with Larry Maben, Maben Family LLC, voted in to represent olive oil growers from District 1. Jim Lipman, California Olive Ranch, was selected as the alternate Board member from this same district, which encompasses the counties of Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity.

    Samantha Dorsey, McEvoy of Marin, was re-elected to serve as the Board member representing growers in District 2, while Matt Lohse, Big W Ranch, was elected to serve as the alternate Board member from this District which includes the counties of Amador, Colusa, El Dorado, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba.

    In District 3, Jeff Colombini, Lodi Farming, was elected to represent growers on the OOCC Board with Richard Marchini serving as the alternate. The Board also voted to appoint Dan Devico, Pomeian, to fill a vacant position as the alternate to Frank Olagaray, Blossom Farms, who is also a Board member representing growers in District 3. District 3 encompasses the remaining olive oil producing counties of Alameda, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Monterey, Orange, Riverside,

    San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne, and Ventura.

    With respect to members of the Board representing olive oil handlers, Ciriaco Chavez of Boundary Bend Olives was re-elected to serve as the Handler Member for District 2. The alternate positions for handlers in both District 1 and District 2 are currently vacant. Any handler interested in serving in these positions should contact the OOCC.

    A complete list of OOCC Board members and alternates can be found on the OOCC website here.

  • UCCE Experts Share the Latest in Olive Disease Management

    UC Cooperative Experts shared their latest research findings in olive disease management at the recent Olive Oil Day held by the Olive Oil Commission of California (OOCC) in Stockton.

    Jim Adaskaveg, Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at UC Riverside joined the meeting by video to present his work on epidemiology and management of olive knot and the evaluation of new fungicides for control of olive leaf spot and Peacock Spot. Dr. Adaskaveg has been working with the OOCC for years and has during this time identified a number of promising products for the control of olive knot. The objective is to have a number of products with different active ingredients/ modes of action so that pathogens are unlikely to develop resistance.

    Since these products are not registered on olives, an important part of his work now is on the regulatory side, seeing these products through the EPA process called IR-4. Unfortunately, one of the promising fungicides for Peacock Spot, Ziram (active ingredient ziram), was suddenly cancelled on all crops in February 2022.

    There are additional products in process, including Syllit (a.i. dodine); a decision is expected in October of this year. There is also a product that was previously rejected, Topsin-M (a.i. thiophanate-methyl), that is now back in consideration. In all there are five new fungicide registrations expected.

    For control of olive knot, a number of products have proven effective in the research. Some of these are GRAS (generally recognized as safe) food additives and some are antibiotics (kasugamycin and oxytetrcycline). In order to increase efficacy and reduce the danger of resistence, the most promising approach apprears to be a mixture of chemicals with different modes of action. The food additives do not require complex approvals but the antibiotics are in IR-4. There have been multiple setbacks, but a decision is now expected in December this year for kasugamycin and in March of 2023 for oxytetracycline.

    Mohammed Nouri, UCCE Orchard Systems Advisor presented an investigation of decline symptoms of super-high-density oil olives in the San Joaquin Valley. There are multiple causes of tree decline in CA, including Verticillium wilt, Botryosphaeria, Pleurostoma, Eutypa lata and freezing temperatures; accurately diagnosing these in the field can be very difficult. Consult your local UCCE office or mnouri@ucanr.edu for guidance regarding sampling.

    Dr. Nouri also spoke about the ongoing challenge of Neofabraea. This disease particularly affects the Arbosana cultivar, causing leaf and twig lesions. The infection primarily occurs in wounds caused by mechanical harvest damage but can also appear as spotting on fruit. Research has shown some control with a few fungicides that are in IR-4 for Peacock spot as well. A final optimistic result from a survey of anthracnose in CA found that this disease is not found in commercial CA orchards. It is unlikely to become a significant problem because of low humidity, dry summers, resistant cultivars and a tendency to harvest early.

    Find the full research presentation on the epidemiology and management of olive knot and the evaluation of new fungicides for control of olive leaf spot and Peacock Spot here. — By the Olive Oil Commission of California

  • Water Management Strategies for Hedgerow Olive Orchards in California

    After a year’s hiatus, the Olive Oil Commission of California (OOCC) held its annual Olive Oil Day on March 3, 2022, at the Robert Cabral Agricultural Center in Stockton. The purpose of the Olive Oil Day is to update OOCC members and others in the industry about Commission-funded various research projects and other activities. In keeping with the OOCC’s objective of focusing research projects on areas that will improve returns to olive farmers, the majority of the presentations dealt with olive growing and pest management. 

    Among the many informative presentations shared at the meeting, Giulia Marino, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in orchard systems, gave a report on the “Water management strategies for hedgerow olive orchards in California“. This is a 4-year project that will look at how better irrigation can maximize yields, achieve quality objectives and increase resilience to water restrictions.

    One aspect of this work has focused on better understanding the water needs of CA oil olives. All the basic water research on olives in CA was done on table olives so establishing these basic water needs for CA oil olives is essential.

    The project is using two orchards, one in Corning and one in Stockton. The treatments are a control (the grower’s usual irrigation) and three deficit irrigation regimes beginning at pit hardening (80% ET, 25% ET (x2; one will be modified this year). The trees are being extensively monitored: stem water potential, vegetative growth, fruit size and oil yield and quality, and return bloom.

    Work for the future includes measuring ET and crop coefficient, characterizing phenological stages of the olive, adding a 4th plant-based irrigation treatment and starting to develop an outreach program for better water management.

    A field day to learn more about this research project has been scheduled for June 1 in Stockton—save the date!

    Find the full research report here. 

  • California Olive Oil Grower Meeting, March 3

    Please join the Olive Oil Commission of California (OOCC) for California Olive Oil Day on March 3, 2022, at the Robert Cabral Agriculture Center in Stockton. During this meeting, industry experts and researchers will present information on the latest innovation and research critical to the production of top-quality extra virgin olive oil.

    The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. with a welcome from OOCC Executive Director, Chris Zanobini and Research Committee Chairman, Michael Fox.

    New research will be presented on several topics pertaining to olive orchard and disease management and best growing practices. These topics will include: water management strategies for hedgerow olive orchards in California: evaluation of canopy management practices on established Super High-Density olives for olive oil production: investigating young tree decline as a result of autumn frost events; epidemiology and management of olive knot; and evaluation of new fungicides in the control of olive leaf spot/peacock spot.

    The research in this session will be presented by Giulia Marino, Dept of Plant Science, University of California, Davis; Ciriaco Chavez, Boundary Bend; Mohammed Nouri, UC Cooperative Extension Orchard Systems Advisor, San Joaquin County; and James Adaskaveg, Professor, Dept of Plant Pathology, UC Riverside.

    Javier A Fernandez Salvador, Executive Director of the UC Davis Olive Center will then provide an update on the Center’s activities and Selina Wang will present findings of the Olive Center’s analysis of 2020 olive oil quality data collected as part of the OOCC’s mandatory sampling and testing program. Wang will also present findings from the Olive Center’s evaluation of fatty acid and sterol profiles.

    Wang will then provide reports on the UC Ag and Natural Resources Production Manual for Olive Oil and the latest findings from a study on utilizing olive pomace to make pavement. These presentations will be followed by an update on the establishment of benchmark data for the olive oil industry in California from Kyle J. Birchard of Integrative Economics, LLC.

    Attendees can also expect to hear updates from Kimberly Holding, CEO of the American Olive Oil Producers Association (AOOPA), and Shanna Rahman, Board Chair of the California Olive Oil Council (COOC).

    The day will conclude at 12:30 p.m. with lunch provided by the OOCC. To RSVP, please email anne@agamsi.com.

    Click here for the 2022 California Olive Oil Day Agenda. 

  • New Resource for Small Olive Oil Farmers in California

    A new resource for small olive oil farmers and producers who want to know more about voluntary Olive Oil Commission of California (OOCC) membership is now available on the OOCC website. While OOCC membership is not required for producers of less than 5,000 gallons of olive oil per year, they may choose to participate in the OOCC’s mandatory sampling and testing program on a voluntary basis.

    A few years ago, the OOCC Board created a voluntary version of the OOCC’s mandatory sampling and testing program to make it more accessible and affordable for smaller producers. The program is available to any California olive oil producer committed to high quality standards for their product and who wishes to have this quality verified by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). 

    This OOCC program is only for 100 percent California olive oil. The benefits to members include: 

    ● OOCC member olive oil is analyzed by a credible, independent laboratory to ensure it meets stringent standards for quality and purity;

    ● Samples are collected and verified by the California Department of Food and Agriculture;

    ● Members who meet the stringent CDFA standards are allowed to use the OOCC logo on their packaging and marketing materials;

    ● A list of OOCC Members in Good Standing, which includes voluntary members, is maintained and published each year; 

    The information packet is available HERE and includes more details about the OOCC program Members in Good Standing and other useful resources to help you make an informed decision. Should you have questions or need additional information, please contact OOCC Executive Director Chris Zanobini by email at chris@agamisi.com or phone at (916) 441-1581.

  • Assembly Bill 535 Supporting California Olive Oil Becomes Law

    Assembly Bill 535 was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom last week. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Ceclia Aguiar-Curry, establishes guidelines for how companies can use the word “California” on olive oil labels and other marketing materials.

    While the OOCC does not have authority to lobby and did not take a position on this bill, the new ruling is critically important to the goals of our organization: ensuring California olive oil is accurately labeled so that customers can have confidence in the quality of California olive oil and all California olive oil is trusted and valued.

    The bill was supported by a group of California olive oil producers who launched a Truth in Labeling informational campaign.

    According to a press release from Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, consumers associate California produced olive oils with quality and demand has steadily increased over time. This increase in demand has led to companies using the word “California” on labels, even if the product only contains a small percentage of oil from olives actually produced in the state.

    Aguiar-Curry carried the bill because she believes misleading labeling causes confusion among consumers. It also places 100 percent California olive oil farmers and producers at a competitive disadvantage because of the greater regulatory burden and higher costs, and hurts the reputation of California olive oil as a trusted product.

    The guideline for olive oil labeling that Assembly Bill 535 provides consumers with clear and transparent information about the oil they are purchasing. The bill will require companies to disclose the minimum percentage of California olive oil present in their product and in the same size as the word “California” on their product label, packaging and marketing materials.

    The bill does not prohibit or restrict blending oils from different sources and destinations, it only requires the term “California” be used in a way that truthfully and clearly represents the actual amount of California-grown olives used in the product.

    With this bill, supporters hope to strengthen the integrity of California olive oils as a premium and trusted product. — Olive Oil Commission of California

  • New Leadership at the Olive Oil Commission of CA

    Mark Sievers and his wife Ann Fiorello Sievers of II Fiorello Olive Oil Company

    Mark Sievers of Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company was elected to serve as new Chairman of the Olive Oil Commission of California’s Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee is made up of seven members who are appointed by the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). It serves to make sure olive oil producers with less than 5,000 gallons per year have a voice in the decisions made by the OOCC.

    Sievers previously held the position of Vice Chairman of the Advisory Committee and he replaces Albert Katz who resigned from the Advisory Committee in August.

    Sam Israelit of Spanish Oaks Ranch in Templeton

    Sam Israelit, of Spanish Oaks Ranch in Templeton, was elected to serve as the Advisory Committee’s new Vice Chairman.

    As Chairman, Sievers will oversee meetings and help identify areas the Committee should address in order to best serve the interests of the state’s small olive oil producers. He also has a voting position on the OOCC Board of Directors.

    Albert Katz’s departure leaves a vacant position on the Advisory Committee. CDFA will revisit the list of interested candidates from a list of applications submitted in June and appoint an additional member.

    The OOCC thanks Albert Katz for his many years of service and dedication to the OOCC and Advisory Committee.