The other oil boom in Texas ! This one, we really wouldn't mind

Carrizo Springs, Texas
PRN News— Crowds have gathered in South Texas to observe the state’s olive harvest season currently in full swing. Texas Olive Oil Council (TOOC) leaders are anticipating a statewide yield of approximately 500 tons; making this a banner year for the burgeoning olive oil industry. To mark this historic occasion the state’s largest orchard, Texas Olive Ranch, invited the public for an up close view of the mechanical harvesting and process of pressing extra virgin oil.

The two-day event held September 14th – 15th included an Olive Oil Field Day seminar hosted by the USDA and TOOC. One of the featured speakers was Texas Agricultural Commissioner Todd Staples. It is evidence of the amazing growth this agricultural specialty has experienced since the first visionary pioneers began experimenting with plantings in the early 90s. Today Texas is poised to become a major player in the market. Currently, the U.S. produces a mere 1% of the 50 million gallons of olive oil Americans consume each year. Recent controversy over the labeling of olive oil imports has increased interest in domestic product. Also fueling demand; continual scientific research supporting olive oil as part of a healthy diet for numerous medical concerns ranging from heart disease and cancer to Alzheimer’s and diabetes.