Home food preservation has become popular again and with so many ways (Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook pages etc.) for people to find recipes and instructions on preserving food, not all are safe. The Daviess County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent needed to provide a food preservation class and targeted beginners. The food preservation class taught and discussed methods of food preservation, using the correct and research-based methods and resources. Researched based methods were discussed and the participants got to do hands on activities including preserving salsa in a boiling water bath, using an electric canner. This canner was also discussed and what is used for and why it is safe as compared to electric cookers.

The Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent partnered with a local farm that also has a beautiful venue for meetings and events. Taking the program out in the community proved to be beneficial, having a total of nineteen participants. The farm also supplied tomatoes for the class, so the participants were able to preserve fresh from the farm produce. The location did not have a stove, so it was the perfect opportunity to show them the electric canner by Presto.

One hundred percent of the participants accurately prepared food products using the boiling water canning method of preservation. Each participant took home a pint size jar of their salsa and a booklet of all the UK Extension food preservation publications.

A three-month follow-up revealed that the majority had used the skills they learned at home and shared with family and friends. Here are some comments from the class:

“I wanted to let you know that I just purchased a digital electric canner. I am going to be making big vats of soup this winter and plan to can the extra.”

 “I gifted the salsa we made to my doctor who is a real foodie and cook. He praised it highly. Looking forward to using all the skills you taught.”

“After taking your class canning is much less intimidating. I look forward to learning more with you!”