As the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil remains at low levels, a different kind of oil is getting a foothold in South Texas--olive oil.
It should come as no surprise--with an arid climate and sparse landscape that looks and feels like other olive-growing regions of the world--but until very recently, it had never been attempted. The results of early attempts by Saundra Winokur were grim. She explained she has tried 38 different kinds of olive trees in Texas, and that her first 1000, from Egypt, died off.
What could be the future for this burgeoning crop?
Guests:
- Saundra Winoker, owner of Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard in Elmendorf, Texas
- Thomas Tunstall, research direector for the Institute for Economic Development at the University of Texas San Antonio