Olive Growers Hit Hard

Sonora, CA – Tuolumne County’s Agriculture Commissioner has received word that state loans are now available for olive growers after 47 percent of the county’s crop was wiped out because of freezing temperatures.

A hard freeze last November interrupted the harvesting of olives in the county, and also caused damage to some apple trees, notably in the Big Hill and Cedar Ridge region. Vicki Helmar has been notified that an Emergency Declaration was recently approved by CAL EMA. Producers of olives and apples are now eligible receive low interest loans from the state.

Meanwhile, agriculture officials are still assessing whether there was significant damage from last week’s storm system. Helmar says she should know more within the next couple of weeks. Crops most at risk were fruit trees.