UC Master Food Preservers of Sacramento County

2027 UC Master Food Preserver Training

2027 Training Overview

  • Lectures and demos: Online via Zoom
  • In-person hands-on labs: UCCE Auditorium, 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento, CA 95827
  • Tuition: $380

Training Format

This is a hybrid learning program consisting of:

  • Virtual learning: Pre-recorded videos, reading assignments, quizzes, live classes, and case studies completed with a mentor. Students use Google Classroom to track assignments and access class links. Lecture component is state wide, online.
  • Hands-on learning: In-person labs conducted locally at Sacramento branch Kitchen facility: UCCE Auditorium, 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento, CA 95827

Applicant Requirements

  • Applicants must be available to attend the live online classes listed in the class schedule below.  Each local program will post its local in-person lab dates. Applicants must attend all Lab sessions.
    • The live online classes are offered twice per topic. Applicants will sign up for either the Thursday evening track (6:30-8:30 pm) or the Friday afternoon track (2:00-4:00 pm).
  • Applicants must be comfortable navigating the web, utilizing the features of Zoom, and accessing assignments on Google Classroom; class communication is via email. 
  • Accepted applicants must be fingerprinted for DOJ clearance in California. This is obtained and paid for by the applicant directly.
  • Applicants must complete 50 hours of volunteer time the first year; then 25 volunteer hours + 12 continuing education hours annually.

How to Apply

  1. Attend/watch the required information session to learn about expectations during the training process. Attend one or both of the optional Q&A sessions to address unanswered questions.
    • Required Training Information Session: 
    • Optional Q&A Sessions(please attend/watch the recorded training information session before attending):
      • Thursday, October 8, 2026:  6:30–7:30 pm 
      • Friday, October 23, 2026: 2:00–3:00 pm 

  2. Submit your application by the end of Sunday, November 8, 2026. To prevent data loss, please complete the application in one session or prepare your answers in a separate document before pasting and submitting.

     

    ***Application***

 

What We’ll Do

  • Review applications and interview applicants (in December).

    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 (you will provide this).
  • 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 plenty of fun volunteer and continuing education opportunities.

What You’ll Do If Accepted

  • Pay the $380.00 course fee.
  • Choose a track and attend the Zoom classes as well as the in-person labs. The tracks for Zoom classes are Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 PM or Fridays 2-4 PM.  Labs are held in person on Saturdays or Sundays.  See the dates  below. You must attend all the lab sessions.
  • Complete the Live Scan fingerprinting process.
  • Attend at least one public class hosted by a UC Master Food Preserver Program; either in person or online, by April 24, 2027, as part of your training program.  Scheduling and more information will be available to accepted applicants.
  • Attend monthly program business meetings on the second Thursday of the month via Zoom at 6:30 PM as often as possible.
  • Complete 50 volunteer hours your first full program year, then 25 volunteer and 12 continuing education hours each year thereafter.
  • Complete your CA Foodsafe Certificate - online.
  • Pass an annual food safety reappointment quiz.
  • Have fun!

Course Schedule

(January – June 2027, Online & In-Person)

In-person training, in Sacramento (4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento CA 95827) is in bold below.

Trainees must attend all lab sessions.

DateFormat & TimeTopic
Jan 7 (Fri) or Jan 8 (Wed)Online, Thu 6:30-7:30 PM, Fri 2:00–3:00 PM Zoom Class Preparation (optional)
Jan 14 (Thu) / Jan 15 (Fri)Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PMTraining Orientation
Jan 22 (Thu) / Jan 23 (Fri)Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PMFood Safety
Saturday, January 16UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–5:00 PMOrientation / Knife Skills & Meet and Greet
Jan 28 (Thu) / Jan 29 (Fri)Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PMCold Storage & Being a UC Master Food Preserver – Part 1
Sunday, February 31UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–4:00 PMCold Storage Lab
Feb 4 (Thu) / Feb 5 (Fri)Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–3:00 PMHigh Acid Canning
Saturday, February 6UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–4:00 PMHigh Acid Canning Lab
Feb 2 (Thu) / Feb 26 (Fri)Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PMEducating Our Community
Mar 11 (Thu) / Mar 12 (Fri)Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PMPickling & Fermenting
Saturday, March 13UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–4:00 PMPickling & Fermenting Lab
Mar 18 (Thu) / Mar 19 (Fri)Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PMFruit Spreads
Saturday, March 27UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–4:00 PMFruit Spreads Lab
Apr 8 (Thu) / Apr 9 (Fri)Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PMLow Acid Canning
Saturday, April 10UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–4:00 PMLow Acid Canning Lab
Apr 22 (Thu) / Apr 23 (Fri)Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PMDehydration & Being a UC Master Food Preserver – Part 2
Saturday, April 24UCCE Auditorium, 1:00–4:00 PMDehydration Lab Part 1
Sunday, April 25UCCE Auditorium, 1:00–4:00 PMDehydration Lab Part 2
May 6 (Thu) / May 7 (Fri)Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PMKitchen Pest Management
May 20 (Thu) / May 21 (Fri)Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PMBeing a UC Master Food Preserver – Part 3
Saturday, May 22UCCE Auditorium, 10:00 AM–4:00 PMStudent Presentations
Jun 3 (Thu) / Jun 4 (Fri)Online, Thu 6:30–8:30 PM or Fri 2:00–4:00 PMPutting it all Together

Dates and topics are subject to change. Online classes are hosted by the statewide UC Master Food Preserver program; in-person labs are run locally by our Sacramento County team to provide hands-on experience alongside experienced volunteers.

Questions?

Contact us at Sacamfp@ucanr.edu or refer to the Information Meeting Recording (this link will be updated when the information becomes available). 

Updated September 1, 2026