According to the United States Census Bureau, 33.7% of Clay County, Kentucky, residents live at or below the poverty level. This is double the current statewide poverty rate, which sits at 16.5% according to the United State Census Bureau. There is a need to provide fresh, nutritious foods to Clay County residents outside of the growing season. Since there are over 44,000 acres of land in Clay County that is dedicated to farming according to the USDA’s 2017 Census of Agriculture, many residents of Clay County rely on fresh produce from either their own farm or other local farms. Knowing how to preserve fresh produce the proper way ensures that they have food that is nutritious and safe to eat outside of the growing and harvesting seasons, when Winter begins to settle in.

During the months of August and September, Clay County Cooperative Extension’s FCS Agent taught a series of four classes covering food preservation basics at the Clay County Extension Office. Each class covered a different food preservation method and provided UK curriculum based on USDA research to the participants. A total of 11 people attended at least one class, with 7 of them attending all four classes in the series. Participants varied from being beginners to preserving food, to having years of experience. 100% of participants demonstrated basic knowledge of food preservation during hands-on activities, and 100% participants reported learning something new.