Updates from the UC Master Food Preservers of Sonoma County
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It's a great way to find out what we're up to in the community and to get the latest information on upcoming food preservation classes, events and workshops.
"Ask a Master Food Preserver"
Are you getting ready to start a food preservation project and have questions? Would you like to have a UC Master Food Preserver give a presentation or demonstration? We are available to help you plan! Please fill out our "Ask a Master Food Preserver" online information request form and someone will respond within 2 business days.
UC Master Food Preserver volunteers are agents of the University of California and work through the UC Cooperative Extension to educate the community on the safe practices of home food preservation, including pickling, canning, dehydrating and much more.
We are very excited about the new Master Food Preserver program in Sonoma County. We are available by phone (707-565-3026) and email (mfpsc@ucanr.edu). Additionally, please check the "Calendar of Events" to the right for presentations, demos and workshops in the community.
Please check our website often for updates to outreach activities, in addition to lots of great information about food safety and preservation!
Pressure Canner Gauge Testing
now offered in Sonoma County!
Pressure canners with only a dial gauge need to be tested annually to ensure the dial gauge is accurate. If your dial gauge is not accurate, it is not correctly reading pressure which may result in under or over processing and unsafe food.
UC Master Food Preservers of Sonoma County can test your Presto brand pressure canner gauge free of cost at our office.
Click here to sign up for a date and time to get your pressure canner gauge tested!
Please Note: the only pressure canner that needs to have its dial gauge tested is a Presto. (The others are all weighted gauge canners and only need the dial gauge to tell when the pressure drops to 0.) You can easily convert your dial-gauge Presto pressure canner to a weighted gauge by swapping out the deadweight for a 3-piece weighted regulator.
Here’s the link to the 3-piece weighted regulator sold by Presto: https://www.gopresto.com/product/pressure-canner-pressure-regulator-50332. This way you don’t need to worry about checking the dial gauge, you can use the canner as a weighted gauge canner.
COVID-19 Update
In accordance with the County of Sonoma's COVID-19 pandemic response and guidelines, the office is open to the public Monday-Friday from 8am-noon and 1-4pm.
University of California Cooperative Extension
133 Aviation Blvd., Suite 109
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
The UC Master Food Preservers are available remotely:
Email: mfpsc@ucanr.edu
Phone: 707-565-3026
"Jam & Herbal Tea" workshop
Just in time for Mother’s Day gift giving ~ or, register mom too for even more fun!
presented by the UC Master Food
Preservers of Sonoma County
Friday, April 26, 2024 2pm - 5pm
OR
Saturday, April 27, 2024 10am - 1pm
in person at
Sonoma Clean Power's Advanced Energy Center
741 4th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
$45 per person
Join UC Master Food Preservers of Sonoma County at the Sonoma Clean Power's Advanced Energy Center in Santa Rosa to learn all about making jam and drying herbs for herbal tea.
In this hands-on class, you’ll be instructed on safe methods to preserve jam (full sugar, low sugar, sugar substitute, and no sugar varieties will all be discussed). While the jam is in the canner, you’ll learn about dehydrating herbs and develop your own herbal tea blend. We’ll show you that you can easily repeat both of these processes at home, with no special equipment.
Part way through, we’ll take a break and have our own little tea party featuring a sampling of the jam and tea that you are making along with other tea time fare.
At the end of the class, you will leave with a recipe/instruction booklet, a jar of strawberry jam, a jar of your own custom tea blend, and decorative embellishments to turn it all into a great personalized gift for the special “mom” in your life (or keep it for yourself!).
Pre-registration is required.
Registration closes April 24, 2024 (or earlier if 20 people have registered for each workshop)
The class will be held at
Sonoma Clean Power's Advanced Energy Center
741 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
For more information contact: mfpsc@ucanr.edu or 707-565-3026
For easy ways to reduce your impact, save energy, and support a healthier future for all, visit sonomacleanpower.org
Calendar of Events
| Event Name | Date |
|---|---|
| "Jam & Herbal Tea" workshop | 4/26/2024 |
| "Jam & Herbal Tea" workshop | 4/27/2024 |
| SPECIAL EVENT - Mother's Day Jam | 5/11/2024 |
| Food Preservation Basics: Canning Pickles - online | 6/6/2024 |
| SPECIAL EVENT - Father’s Day Pickling Class | 6/15/2024 |
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UC Master Food Preserver Program of Sonoma County