Be a Master Food Preserver
2026 Important Dates
| Sep 18, 6:30-7:30 pm | Live Training Information Meeting |
| Oct 3, 12:00-1:00 pm | Training Q&A Session #1 |
| Oct 17, 2:00-3:00 pm | Training Q&A Session #2 |
| Nov 20, 6:30-7:30 pm | Training Q&A Session #3 |
| Nov 30 | Applications Due |
| Dec 15 | Payment Due |
| Jan 9, Fri, 2-3 pm OR Jan 14, Wed, 6:30-7:30 pm | Zoom Class Preparation (optional) |
| Jan 15, Thur, 6:30–8:30 pm OR Jan 16, Fri, 2:00–4:00 pm | Class 1: Training Orientation |
| Jan 22, Thur, 6:30–8:30 pm OR Jan 23, Fri, 2:00–4:00 pm | Class 2: Food Safety |
| Jan 29, Thur, 6:30–8:30 pm OR Jan 30, Fri, 2:00–4:00 pm | Class 3: Cold Storage & Being an MFP Pt.1 |
| Jan 31, Sat 9:00 am-1:00 pm | Lab 1: Site Orientation & Cold Storage |
| Feb 5, Thur, 6:30–8:30 pm OR Feb 6, Fri, 2:00–4:00 pm | Class 4: High Acid Canning |
| Feb 13 | Completed Fingerprint Forms Submitted |
| Feb 14, Sat 9:00 am-1:00 pm | Lab 2: High Acid Canning |
| Feb 26, Thur, 6:30–8:30 pm OR Feb 27, Fri, 2:00–4:00 pm | Class 5: Educating Our Community |
| Mar 12, Thur, 6:30–8:30 pm OR Mar 13, Fri, 2:00–4:00 pm | Class 6: Pickling & Fermenting |
| Mar 21, Sat 9:00 am-1:00 pm | Lab 3: Pickle/Ferment/Spreads |
| Mar 26, Thur, 6:30–8:30 pm OR Mar 27, Fri, 2:00–4:00 pm | Class 7: Fruit Spreads |
| Apr 4, Sat 9:00 am-1:00 pm | Lab 4: Fruit Spreads |
| Apr 9, Thur, 6:30–8:30 pm OR Apr 10, Fri, 2:00–4:00 pm | Class 8: Low Acid Canning |
| Apr 18, Sat 9:00 am - 1:00 pm | Lab 5: Low Acid Canning |
| Apr 23, Thur, 6:30–8:30 pm OR Apr 24, Fri, 2:00–4:00 pm | Class 9: Dehydration & Being an MFP Pt. 2 |
| May 2, Sat 9:00 am-1:00 pm | Lab 6: Dehydration |
| May 7, Thur, 6:30–8:30 pm OR May 8, Fri, 2:00–4:00 pm | Class 10: Kitchen Pest Management |
| May 21, Thur, 6:30–8:30 pm OR May 22, Fri, 2:00–4:00 pm | Class 11: Being an MFP Pt. 3 |
| June 13, Sat 9:00 am-1:00 pm | Student Presentations & Certification Ceremony |
Is Master Food Preservers a good fit for you?
Becoming a Master Food Preserver
UCCE Mariposa is proud to introduce you to the UC Master Food Preserver Program, serving Mariposa County! We will be offering our next training class beginning in January of 2026.
2026 Master Food Preserver Training Class
What are Master Food Preservers?
Master Food Preservers are volunteer educators associated with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Division. We educate local communities about safe and healthy food preservation and preparation methods. Our volunteers work together to offer workshops, demonstrations, youth events, food donation events and more.
Who can apply?
- Applications accepted from Mariposa County residents.
- Applicants must be comfortable using a computer and accessing the internet. Class lessons, quizzes and homework are online; class communication is via email.
- This will be a hybrid training program with lab classes held in Mariposa County.
How to Apply
Applications will be available to download below. You can also receive a paper application at any of our events or at our office (5009 Fairgrounds Rd, Mariposa CA 95338) during business hours. Please contact us at 209-966-2417 to be added to our mailing list.
2026 MFP Training Class Application
What We’ll Do
- Review applicants via interviews. Main criteria for acceptance: 1) prior community service, 2) experience teaching, either by giving presentations, writing, or in one-on-one situations, 3) experience/interest in home food preservation.
- Request a DOJ Clearance, including fingerprinting.
- Teach you how to preserve food successfully using scientifically researched home processes.
- Teach you how to educate our community about safe home food preservation.
- Provide you with volunteer and continuing education opportunities.
What You’ll Do If Accepted
- Pay the course fee by the due date.
- Complete online classwork by specified dates and attend in-person, hands-on labs on several Saturdays a month.
- Complete the Live Scan fingerprinting process.
- Attend monthly program business meetings. At this time meetings are online via Zoom.
- Attend at least one public class hosted by a UC Master Food Preserver Program; either in person or online as part of your training program.
- Complete 50 volunteer hours between January 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027. Thereafter, you will be asked to complete 25 volunteer and 12 continuing education hours each year to remain active (July 1 to June 30).
- Pass an annual food safety reappointment quiz and complete reappointment paperwork.
Class Locations
Lectures and classwork will be provided in an online format.
In-person hands-on labs
Hands-on Labs will be held in Mariposa County. Students must be willing to attend a lab several times per month.