What can I do to protect my butcher block counter top?

You can use oi: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-oil-butcher-block-countertops-cleaning-lessons-from-the-kitchn-210514

Use cutting boards for all food prep. Will make a world of difference in the long run.

Use cutting boards is great advice! also use mineral oil or oil made for butcher block. NEVER use olive oil because it will turn rancid.

PLEASE go on the excellent blog: "The Art of Doing Stuff" and you will find answers on this very subject and many, many others! The blogger is brilliant - there is nothing she can't do.

You are very welcome - she talks about caring for a wooden cutting board and the topics of oil, lemon juice, salt, etc. and really knows her stuff! The same treatment (for cutting boards) would apply to your butcher block counter tops. By the way, she dislikes granite and has wooden counter tops too! They are beautiful to touch and add so much warmth to a room. I think you'll like her blog. She is funny (a bit racy sometimes) but very skilled at what she does. By the way, I'm not related, lol! I just rely on her advice for many topics and like to direct people to her informative blog..