Olive

Genetic analysis of ancient olive trees suggests that they were first cultivated 8,000 – 6,000 years ago in the eastern Mediterranean region. Olives spread throughout the ancient world, and olive orchards played a significant role in ancient economies and societies for thousands of years. Olive trees eventually made their way to the Americas through European colonization, and the first olives were planted in California in 1769. Olive cultivation in Florida dates back to the early 1800s when the Florida Olive Company in Quincy, Florida became the largest olive oil producer in the United States. However, the company went bankrupt in the early 1900s due to a combination of factors, including insect infestations and the Great Depression. In the early 2000s, there was renewed interest in olive cultivation in Florida, particularly in the northern parts of the state. The University of Florida began conducting research to develop cultivars that were better adapted to the state’s climate and soil conditions. Today, there are small-scale olive groves throughout Florida. While commercial production remains limited, many small farms and gardeners plant olive trees as an ideal drought tolerant crop that does well in poor soil and hot weather.