Become a UC Master Food Preserver

Now Accepting Applications for the 2026 Training Program!

Who Can Apply

• Priority given to Solano and Yolo county residents. If space allows, neighboring county residents may be accepted.
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• Applicants must be comfortable using a computer and accessing the internet. Class lessons, quizzes and homework are online using Google Classroom; class communication is via email.

How to Apply

Attend an online informational meeting to learn about the volunteer requirements as well as the selection and training process. Attendance or viewing of the information meeting recording is a mandatory pre-requisite to apply. Three live Q&A sessions are available to address any questions you have about the new volunteer training program.

• Thursday, September 18, 2025: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
  full information meeting
• Friday, October 3, 2025: 12:00 Noon—1:00 pm
  Q&A session, please watch the recorded training information meeting prior to meeting
• Friday, October 17, 2025: 2:00 – 3:00 pm
  Q&A session, please watch the recorded training information meeting prior to meeting
• Thursday, November 20, 2025: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
  Q&A session, please watch the recorded training information meeting prior to meeting 

These sessions use the same registration link: https://link.ucanr.edu/mfp-infomtg.

Complete and submit the online application by the end of Sunday, November 23, 2025. Interviews will be conducted during the early weeks of December with the local programs.

Apply Here!

What We’ll Do

• Review applicants. 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 plenty of fun volunteer and continuing education opportunities.

What You’ll Do If Accepted

• Pay the $350.00 course fee by December 15, 2025.
• 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 for Zoom classes and in person labs in the list on the right. Only one class may be missed and must be completed outside of normal class time with a mentor.
• 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 date TBD, as part of your training program.  See our calendar for these classes.
• 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.
• Pass an annual food safety reappointment quiz.
• Have fun!

Important Dates

2026 UC Master Food Preserver Training
Course Schedule: All online classes are either on Thursdays, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, or on Fridays, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

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