2026 Master Food Preserver Training

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The UC Master Food Preserver Program is open to individuals seeking to enhance community knowledge of home food preservation methods. Applicants for the UC Master Food Preserver Program must be willing to share the knowledge and skills they have learned from certification training through local community outreach. Prior knowledge of food preservation is not a requirement; however, a willingness to teach others is.

Examples of community outreach from UC Master Food Preservers

• Classes and workshops
• Hands-on demonstrations
• County fairs
• Websites and blogs
• Print and digital media

How UC Master Food Preservers make a difference

• Teach safe food preservation methods in local communities
• Share knowledge about preserving fresh and healthy produce
• Prevent botulism in home canning
• Promote research-based methods of food handling and food preparation

Master Food Preserver Training Courses

Once accepted into the UC Master Food Preserver program from a local UCCE county office, applicants will receive more than 50 hours of training over the course of five weeks from the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Training topics include

• Food safety
• Equipment
• Boiling water and pressure canning
• Canning jams and jellies
• High-acid foods
• Low-acid foods
• Pickling and fermentation
• Dehydration
• Freezing and refrigeration
• Teaching and program implementation

In exchange for education and certification, new UC Master Food Preservers are required to volunteer a minimum of 50 hours in the first year and 25 hours each year subsequently. UC Master Food Preservers are required to complete a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education per year, starting in their second year.

Please complete the application at the bottom of this page to take the first step towards becoming a volunteer. Applications are due by the end of Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

• You will be asked to acknowledge the Code of Conduct (PDF). You will sign this after certification.
• We often take photos during our events to share on social media and other marketing platforms. If accepted into the program, you will complete our online photo release form to permit the use of photos that may include you.
• You will receive a copy of your application via email for your records.
• You will need to complete the Live Scan Fingerprint process at your expense before the first day of class. To comply with state law, all UC volunteers must be fingerprinted and undergo a background check.
• The non-refundable course fee of $195 (payable by personal check) must be paid at the orientation on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
• If needed, please get in touch with our local office (707-445-7351) for possible scholarship opportunities.

Important Dates

Orientation and all classes to be held at the Agriculture Center, 5630 S. Broadway, Eureka.

Please complete and submit the online application by Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Only 20 students can be accepted.

Apply Here