Orchards, Fruits, & Hops

Apples

Apple Educational Resources

UC ANR Organic Apple Production Manual
UC Davis Cost and Return Studies with Apple

Cider Apple Resources

• Organic Processing Apple Cost Study (California)
• Conventional Processing Apple Cost Study (California) Study
• Feasibility of Growing Cider Apples
• Cider Apple Cost Study (Washington)
• Cider Apple Varieties, Juice Quality, Mechanical Harvest, and Economics
• Cultural Practices and Pest Control for Cider Apples 

Other Resources

Fruit Varieties by Paul Vossen
Pruning Basics by Paul Vossen
Orchard Floor Management by Vossen & Ingals
Tree & Berry Nursery Options List

Apple Irrigation and Fertilization

(Coastal CA, UC ANR Cost Studies)
Irrigation: During summer months, orchards are irrigated 2 times per week using 3 acre-inches with each irrigation event. This helps promote fruit growth and sizing. 
Fertilization: Soil and leaf samples are taken once per year to help guide nutrient management practices. Soils are fertilized with ~125 lb per acre nitrogen per year. Nitrogen is best split into multiple smaller dose applications rather than only one large application. Leaf tissue analysis will indicate whether any tree nutrient deficiencies warrant additional applications, such as calcium, boron, or zinc. 

Apple Orchard Irrigation Presentation May 23, 2024
Apple Orchard Nutrient Management Presentation June 6, 2024

Local Apple Resources and Information
Sonoma County Apple Grower, U-Picks, Apple Artisans, and Cider Makers Map by Slow Food Russian River
Apples of Sonoma County Variety List by Slow Food Russian River
Gravenstein Apple Fair

Olives

Olive Educational Resources 

Olive Oil Standards
The Olive Oil Commission of California (OOCC) ensures labeling and quality standards of CA OO.
USDA Olive Oil and Olive-Pomace Oil Grades and Standards
CDFA Grading & Labeling Standards for Olive Oil, Sept 2014  
Summary Table of California Olive Oil Standards

Olive Oil Processing Resources
Olive Oil Cultivars
Processing & Quality
Olive Oil Production References
Olive Oil Yield
Olive Maturity Index

Olive Oil Evaluation

• UC Cooperative Extension sensory analysis panel enhances the quality of California olive oil - California Agriculture Article 2011
• Slide Presentation: The Growers Perspective on Olive Oil Quality
• Olive Variety and Maturity Influences on Quality.
• Olive Oil Quality Top Ten Factors
• Sensory Attributes
• International Olive Council & CA Trade Standard for Olive Oil
• What is "Extra Virgin" and How to Read a Label
• Comparison of Olive Oil Ratings - Trained Tasters vs. Magazine Staff
• Annual UC Sensory Evaluation Course
• California Health and Safety Code for Olive Oil
• International Olive Oil Council list of Recognized Taste Panels
• IOC/USDA Laboratory Standards Table and Laboratory Tests Description
• Testing Laboratories
• Sensory Panels
• Sensory Methods

Growing Olives

• Olive Cultivar Comparisons from Around the World, Pages 8-37 in Proceedings of Olivebioteq - Tunisia 2009
• Planting an Olive Tree
• Fertilizing Olives
• Weed Control
• Super High Density Olive Orchard
• Organic Olive Manual
• Pruning Tall or Neglected Olives
• Source of Olive Trees
• Olive Harvesting Equipment
• Grafting Olives: Patch Budding Technique
• Got the right climate for growing olives?

Video: Pruning a Medium Density Olive Tree

Olive Oil Industry

• Olive Oil Production Cost Study, North and Central CA Coast, 2011
• Olive Oil Production Cost Study-2001
• Olive Oil Production in France -1995
• Olive Oil Production in Italy, 2000
• Olive Oil Production in Spain 1997
• Olive Oil Production in Greece 1999
• Super-high-Density Olive Oil Production Cost Study-2004
• North Coast Olive Oil Production Cost Study 1999
• California Olive Oil Industry Statistics 2004
• Current Opportunities in the California Olive Oil Industry
• Olive Oil Production Cost Study Sacramento Valley 2007
• Olive Oil Production Cost Study San Joaquin Valley 2007

Interview: Growing Production of Olives & Olive Oil in CA, Feb 2014

Berries

Educational Resources
UC ANR Berry Production Guides
UC Davis Strawberries Cost Studies
UC Davis Blackberries Cost Studies
UC Davis Raspberries Cost Study
UC Davis Elderberries Cost Studies
Elderberry Field Day
Growing Berries in Sonoma and Marin Counties
Growing Blackberries in California
Growing Strawberries on the North Coast
Characteristics of Common Strawberry Cultivars

Hops

Hops Educational Resources
Small Scale & Organic Hops Production Manual
Estimated Cost of Producing Hops (Washington) 
Hop Harvest and Drying (Jason Perrault)
North West Hop Quality Group
Hop Botany and Physiology (Jason Perrault)
Hop Growers of America Variety Manual 
Hop Culture in California
Master Brewers Association of the Americas 
USA Hop Growers Association