Our Mission

The UC Davis Olive Center is a self-supporting university/industry coalition that is building California’s crop of the future.

The world-renowned center brings together nearly 60 UC faculty members, research specialists and farm advisors who address the research and education needs of California olive growers and processors. The center also collaborates with institutions worldwide.

The center’s co-chairs are Dr. Louise Ferguson, Extension Specialist in the Department of Plant Sciences and Dr. John Newman, Research Chemist at the USDA Western Human Nutrition Research Center and Assistant Adjunct Professor in the Department of Nutrition.

We are:

• Scientists providing trusted research that gives the olive farmer a profitability edge.
• Optimists seeking continually higher yields, quality and sustainability.
• Futurists leading courageous conversations to anticipate agricultural challenges and seize opportunities.

Since its founding in 2008, the Center has delivered more than $5 million in research and campus resources while supporting itself through product sales, course revenue, research grants, and donations.