New Volunteer Training
We will not be offering a 2024 training class, but do plan to have a 2025 class. Please check back in Oct-Nov 2024 for information about our 2025 training class.
COVID-19
- The UC Master Food Preserver Program of Sonoma County complies with the COVID-19 policies and procedures of the County of Sonoma and the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. UC ANR - Guidance for Statewide Volunteer Programs
Who Can Apply
- Priority given to Sonoma County residents.
- Applicants must be comfortable using a computer and accessing the internet. Class will be in person. Quizzes and homework are online; class communication is via email.
How to Apply
- The application window to apply for the 2023 UC Master Food Preserver Program of Sonoma County has closed. We will not be offering a 2024 training class, but do plan to have a 2025 class. Please check back in Oct-Nov 2024 for information about our 2025 training class.
What We'll Do
- Review applications. The main criteria for acceptance is: 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 that approved applicants complete and pass a Dept. of Justice (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 $250 course fee by Friday, February 24, 2023. Partial scholarships are available.
- Attend all classes and hands-on labs. Only one class may be missed and must be completed outside of normal class time with a mentor.
- Complete the (DOJ) Live Scan fingerprinting process. See the Volunteer Fingerprinting Procedure for instructions, downloading the form and completing the process.
- Attend UC Master Food Preserver Program of Sonoma County (MFP) business meetings (date/time TBD). At this time some meetings are online via Zoom and some are in-person.
- Complete 50 volunteer hours your first full program year, and 25 volunteer and 12 continuing education hours each year thereafter.
- Pass an annual food safety reappointment quiz.
- Have fun!
Class Locations / Times
- All classes will be at either the UC Cooperative Extension office (133 Aviation Blvd., Suite 109, Santa Rosa, CA 95403) or the Youth Ag & Leadership Fdn. of Sonoma County (6445 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park, CA 94928).
- All classes are on Saturdays from 9am - 4pm as follows (lecture and hands-on):
- March 4, 2023
- March 11, 2023
- March 25, 2023
- April 1, 2023
- April 15, 2023
- April 29, 2023
- May 6, 2023
- May 20, 2023
2023 Training Program Classes
**Training Info Mtgs. via Zoom: Tuesday, Nov. 29 6-7pm, Thursday, Dec. 8 6-7pm and Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 10-11am |
**Applications Due: Monday, January 16, 2023 |
**Interviews Dates: January 24 - February 3, 2023 |
**Payment Due: February 24, 2023 |
**Fingerprinting due by March 3, 2023 (see instructions) |
Introduction to the MFP Program: March 4 (UCCE Office, Santa Rosa) |
High Acid Canning Lecture & Lab: March 11 (YAL Center, Rohnert Park) |
Pickling & Fermenting Lecture & Lab: March 25 (YAL Center, Rohnert Park) |
Fruit Spreads Lecture & Lab: April 1 (YAL Center, Rohnert Park) |
Freezing & Dehydrating Lecture & Lab: April 15 (YAL Center, Rohnert Park) |
Low Acid Canning Lecture & Lab: April 29 (YAL Center, Rohnert Park) |
Emergency Preparedness: May 6 (UCCE Office, Santa Rosa) |
Student Presentations / Exam Prep: May 20 (UCCE Office, Santa Rosa) |