When: Wednesday, Oct. 8th, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

Where: The Nickels Soils Laboratory in Arbuckle, Calif.

What: Mechanical Harvest Field Meeting which will include:

— Establishment and Training of a Narrow Canopy Hedgerow System for Mechanical Harvest - Bill Krueger, UCCE Glenn County

— Discussion of ongoing Mechanical Harvest Research – Louise Ferguson, UCCE olive specialist

The cost and availability of hand harvest is widely accepted as the most significant challenge to the survival of the California Table Olive Industry. Since 2006 The California Olive Committee has made a renewed effort to fund research aimed at solving this problem. Come and hear about the ongoing research effort and see 7-year-old trees that have been trained to a narrow canopy hedgerow system to facilitate mechanical harvest. At least two types of trunk shake harvesters will be demonstrated on these specifically prepared trees.

Individual training on this subject will be available for qualified trade assistance adjustment act (TAA) attendees.