Success StoryFood Preservation



Food Preservation

Author: Lora Davidson

Planning Unit: Laurel County CES

Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation

Plan of Work: Developing Life Skills Among Youth and Families

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

During the COVID-19 Pandemic it was evident that a renewed interest in food preservation has been sparked.  The Laurel County Extension office, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, gave the community the chance to come and experience a hands-on approach to educational sources on how to safely and correctly preserve their produce they harvested for the year.  

Classes were offered every Tuesday and Thursday evening for four weeks.  Topics discussed each week was pressure canning, water bath canning, freezing and dehydrating.  During the class we discussed the basics of food preservation with hands on pressure canning of green beans, water bath canning of diced tomatoes and salsa, freezing of corn and dehydrating fruit leather and dried apples.

Participants were asked to complete a pre and post survey of the program.   The surveys indicated that:

88% can identify safe, research-based methods of home food preservation

75% can better understand the difference between low acid and high acid food

100% have better skills preservation methods

100% can identify necessary equipment for home food preservation methods

Participants stated “they enjoyed the hands-on experience of being able to do it themselves.  It gave them a better understanding of how to process pressure and water bath canning.”






Stories by Lora Davidson


Food Preservation

Food Preservation

about 3 years ago by Lora Davidson

During the COVID-19 Pandemic it was evident that a renewed interest in food preservation has been sp... Read More


Laugh & Learn

about 2 years ago by Lora Davidson

Over the past five years (2015-2020), Kentucky has reported that only 52% of children attending kind... Read More


Stories by Laurel County CES


Laurel County Youth Excited About Science:

Laurel County Youth Excited About Science:

about 2 years ago by Elizabeth Easley

Importance of ProgramAccording to the Kentucky Department of Education, in 2019 on average, 59.1% of... Read More


Laurel County Youth Leadership Initiative

Laurel County Youth Leadership Initiative

about 2 years ago by Elizabeth Easley

Importance of ProgramVoting is an indicator of community and civic engagement. According to the US C... Read More


Stories by Food Preparation and Preservation


Skillet Cooking

Skillet Cooking

about 2 years ago by Cecelia Hostilo

Americans are used to a world of plenty with overwhelming options available. However in the past few... Read More


Food Preservation | A Sustainable Life Skill

Food Preservation | A Sustainable Life Skill

about 2 years ago by Natalie Taul

Many individuals and families have had a renewed interest in food preservation. Coming out of the un... Read More