Mercy Olmstead

With over 20 years of horticultural and viticultural experience in both academia and industry, I began as an Extension Viticulture Specialist at Washington State University, later becoming an Associate Professor at the University of Florida, focusing on applied research and extension in stone fruit and grape production. My research included topics such as nitrogen and irrigation effects on peach yield, peach phytochemicals, crop coefficients for subtropical peaches, nematode resistance in peach rootstocks, cold hardiness of blueberry and peach buds, grape pruning for productivity, and genetic effects of hydrogen cyanamide on dormancy in low-chill blueberries and peaches.

I also gained valuable industry experience as the Production Research and Education Manager for the California Strawberry Commission, Senior Viticulturist at Gallo Vineyards, and a global agronomist with Driscoll’s, Inc.

I am passionate about university extension and applied research that enhances growers' profitability, production, and quality, with the goal of positively impacting growers in the Central Coast region and beyond.