Monthly home canning and food preservation series scheduled
COSHOCTON – Gardeners and other lovers of fresh produce are often interested in extending the season’s harvest by learning more about home-preserving their fresh picked bounty. The same can be said of people who raise livestock animals for food, purchase livestock at the County Fair or simply want to take advantage of a really good sale at the grocery store. Join us monthly for free Food Preservation programs presented by Ohio State University Extension at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, May- September, at the Coshocton County OSU Extension Office with the exception of the July 14 class.
The programs focus on the basics of home canning and drying and is appropriate for people with all levels of experience, said Kate Shumaker, Extension Educator for Holmes County.
“We emphasize the science behind preservation,” Shumaker said. “We want everyone who home preserves foods to understand why certain procedures must be followed precisely to ensure a high-quality, safe product that they and their family can enjoy.”
The classes will address: Basic food safety principles, how to safely prepare food products for canning and drying and principles of safe food preservation.
Program dates and topics are:
- June 9, Freezing Basics
- July 14, Hands-on Canning class. This class will start at 6:00 p.m. and be held at the Coshocton Christian Tabernacle Church
- August 11, Pickles and Salsas
- September 8, Canning Meats, Soups & Stews
The programs are free and open to anyone, but reservations are required. An optional USDA Home Canning Guide is $20, and pressure canner gauge testing is available for an additional $5 before the June and August classes. Appointments for canner testing are available from 4:30-6:15 p.m. on the evening of those programs.
“All pressure canner gauges except weighted gauges should be tested for accuracy each year,” Shumaker said.
To reserve a spot in the class, contact the Coshocton County office of OSU Extension at 622-2265.
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