AOA Back to Basics Field Days coming to Victoria and NSW
By Laura Thomas
Looking to establish a new grove from scratch or brush up on best practice olive growing?
The Australian Olive Association has just the thing to help.
Two Back to Basics Field Day events will be held in Victoria and New South from next month.
The events are the latest in the AOA’s popular educational field day program, providing a fresh crop of industry newcomers with the foundation for success and helping experienced growers refresh their skills.
Led by Australian Olive Association Chief Executive Officer Michael Southan and AOA President and horticulture consultant Michael Thomsett, the full-day workshops provide expert grove establishment and management insight, followed by a guided grove tour.
Mr Southan said the field days had proven popular over recent years, attracting both established growers and those considering a venture into olive production.
“There is a lot of interest in quality Australian olives – consumer and investor interest is strong,” he said.
“Significant new investment and substantial grove plantings are underway across the country and consumer demand for quality Australian olive products is growing steadily.
“As a result, people are keen to get on board and find out more about growing olives in Australia.
“Our field days are the best place to learn how to do it right.”
What to expect
The day will provide important insight into the Australian olive industry and the benefits of producing olives in Australia.
Planning decisions such as site selection, olive varieties and olive products, including table olives, olive oil and more, will be explored.
Other planting considerations, including tree density, irrigation, fertilisation, pests and disease monitoring and control will also be discussed.
After lunch, a guided grove tour will take participants through a tree inspection, looking at pest identification, disease and canopy management and pruning.
Equipment demonstrations will also be presented in the grove by industry sponsors.
And as always, there was plenty of opportunity for attendees to network with growers and industry leaders and make important industry contacts, including representatives from host groves, Wollundry Grove Olives and Apulia Grove Olives.
Register now!
Follow the links below for more information and to register.
Victoria: Thursday, August 27
Toolleen Hotel Tin Shed function room and Apulia Grove Olives, Toolleen VIC
New South Wales: Thursday, September 3
Wollundry Grove Olives, Brucedale NSW
This event is part of the Olive levy project Australian olive industry communications and extension program (OL22000), funded by Hort Innovation, using the Hort Innovation olive research and development levy, co-investment from the Australian Olive Association and contributions from the Australian Government.