Training

Note: The training period for UC Master Food Preservers of Solano and Yolo Counties runs from January through June. Applications typically open in the fall prior to this training period. Please submit your information using the training interest form below to receive updates about the next UC Master Food Preserver training.

Become a UC Master Food Preserver!

Are you interested in learning food preservation skills and becoming a UC Master Food Preserver? The purpose of the certification course is to train volunteers in the knowledge and skills of research-based practices so they can teach safe home food preservation to the residents of Solano & Yolo Counties. Prior food preservation knowledge is not a requirement; willingness to teach others is.

Examples of  UC Master Food Preservers roles:  

  • Leading classes, workshops, and  hands-on demonstrations
  • Participating in county fair and farmers' market booths
  • Creating and managing webpages, social media, newsletters, and printed materials

How UC Master Food Preservers make a difference:

  • Increasing food safety, handling, and preparation knowledge in our communities
  • Ensuring accurate, validated information is shared along with the science behind preservation methods
  • Keeping communities healthy by sharing knowledge
  • Reducing food waste and being efficient with our resources

Training Course

Interested individuals will apply, interview, and pay program fees before starting the training course to become a certified volunteer of the University of California. The course offers students more than 50 hours of vital training over the course of 12 weeks. Training is comprised of online classes as well as hands-on labs derived from government and extension research. 

Training topics include:

  • Knife skills & food safety
  • Cold storage
  • High-acid preservation (boiling water & atmospheric steam canning)
  • Pickling
  • Fermenting
  • Low-acid preservation (pressure canning)
  • Dehydrating
  • Teaching and program implementation

After completing the training, new UC Master Food Preservers of Solano County are required to volunteer a minimum of 50 hours in the first year and 25 hours plus 12 hours of continuing education in each subsequent year.

Join the Interest List

If you are excited to learn preservation skills and teach your community, enter your contact information in our Master Food Preserver training interest form, and we will contact you when we release the dates for the upcoming training and open the application. 

Source URL: https://ucanr.edu/site/ucce-master-food-preservers-solano-and-yolo-counties/training