May 05, 2006
OROVILLE, CALIF. Among some of California’s finest producers of extra virgin olive oil, Lodestar Farms has claimed the prized title of People’s Choice for the “Favorite Olive Oil” award from the Sonoma Valley Olive Festival -- for the third year in a row.
To our family farm, it feels like we have just won an Olympic Gold Medal!” said Jamie Johansson, owner and farmer for Lodestar Farms.
As a long time producer of California Olive Oil, Lodestar Farms has been a strong supporter of the Sonoma Valley Olive Festival since its inception. They have consistently produced a great product, farm their own olives, and have a great story behind their brand," said Wendy Peterson, executive Director of the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau
Considering himself a “farmer first,” Johansson first started making California olive oil in 1993. The inspiration for his olive oil was the unique history of the Mission olives in Oroville, which is located approximately one hour north of Sacramento. The history dates back to 1898, when Freda Ehmann, known as the “Mother of the California Olive Industry” started California’s first commercial olive production in Oroville.
Today, 75 percent of the Mission olives are grown in Oroville. There are more than 2,500 acres of olives in Butte County, and of those, 90 percent are Mission olives. Oroville is considered California’s only olive oil province, as it is the only region in the state with a history of consistently producing the same style of olive oil.
Lodestar Farms is also a 6-time medal winner at the Los Angeles county fair, winning Gold Medals for its Late Harvested Mission Olive Oil and for packaging and design.
For more information on Lodestar Farms, visit www.lodestarfarms.com or call 530-534-OLIV (6548).
For more information on the Sonoma Valley Olive Festival, visit www.olivefestival.com.