July canning class The problem:   

On April 20, 2023, the Calloway County Cooperative Extension Council met to discuss emerging county needs in the Family and Consumer Science area.  Since Calloway County has not had a FCS agent for almost 3 years, there were many needs, one being food preservation and safe food storage.  A series of food preservation lessons were conducted, first on the "science" of food preservation.  A total of 31 people attended this portion with 29 of those completing a preprogram evaluation.  Fourteen participants had never participated in any Cooperative Extension Service program before this class.

The educational program response

Small group classes were formed to teach how to pressure can and water bath can various foods.  Sixty two percent of the classes reported to have no experience at food preservation.  Follow up evaluations will be mailed to the participants to determine the success of the education of food preservation at the 6 month mark.

Other partners (if applicable)

Program impact or participant response.

Participants listed the desire to learn how to preserve foods at home was the predominate factor in choosing the class with creating a sense of personal accomplishment as second reason.