As our growing season begins, we will be partnering with Haywood and Buncombe Counties to have food preservation classes.  This year we are planning to have some virtual and in-person, hands-on canning classes.  We can preserve foods through Freezing, Boiling Water and Pressure Canning, Fermenting and Drying.  The key is that you want to use tested/researched methods and recipes to ensure that you end up with a safe product that is also high quality.

There are a lot of recipes and ways to preserve foods on the internet, youtube, pinterest and even tik tok.  These may not always be safe to do or come from tested/researched methods.  They also may not always yield high quality products.  If you want more information on safe methods, the National Center for Home Food Preservation has the most up-to-date research.  You can also always contact our office.

For more information on our upcoming classes and registration use this link.  We will be updating it as we get closer to class dates.

For now, save these dates:  More registration information to come.

May 18th  - Introduction to Canning - a virtual class at 12pm and again at 5:30pm

June 16th  - Hands on Jams at 10am - Haywood County

June 21st  - Hands on Jams at 5:30pm  - Buncombe County

July 11th  - Hands on Salsas at 1pm  - Buncombe County

July 21st  - Hands on Pressure Canning at 10 am and at 5:30pm  - Haywood County

August 3rd  - Hands on Preserving Tomatoes at 1pm  - Haywood County

August 4th  - Hands on Preserving Tomatoes at 5:30pm  - Buncombe County

We are also able to come out in the community and do hands on programs if you have a group or location with a kitchen that will work.  Please contact Cathy Hohenstein at cathy_hohenstein@ncsu.edu or call our office to request a program.