New Volunteer Training
 
How to Apply
Applications available October 4, 2024 for our 2025 Training Class.
 
Online Information Meetings: Register Here
  1. Friday, October 4, 2024: 12:00 Noon—1:00 pm
    full information meeting
  2. Friday, October 25, 2024: 12:00 Noon—1:00 pm
    Q&A session, please attend or watch the recorded training information meeting prior to meeting
  3. Thursday, November 14, 2024: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
    Q&A session, please attend or watch the recorded training information meeting prior to meeting

During the hour-long online information meeting, you'll learn about the purpose of the UC Master Food Preserver Program, volunteer involvement and requirements, the training program dates and activities, and the application process. After the information meeting, if you feel this is a volunteer organization that fits with your schedule and priorities, we'd love to have you apply for the 2025 training program for Sonoma County.

Who Can Apply
  • Priority given to Sonoma County residents. 
  • Applicants must be comfortable using a computer and accessing the internet. Class will be hybrid - Zoom lectures and in-person labs. Quizzes and homework are online; class communication is via email.

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) / Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) clearance, including fingerprinting.
  • Teach you how to preserve food safely and 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 course fee of $250 ($130 to UCCE + $120 to Sonoma County MFP). Partial scholarships are available.
  • Attend all online 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 / FBI) Live Scan fingerprinting process. See the Volunteer Fingerprinting Procedure for instructions.  The fingerprinting form can be downloaded and printed after filling out the "Applicant Information" section. Please take 3 copies when going to get fingerprinted.
  • Attend UC Master Food Preserver Program of Sonoma County (MFP) business meetings (date/time TBD). At this time most 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

  • Lecture classes will be on Zoom on Fridays. All in-person 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).
  • In-person labs are on Saturdays, time to be determined.

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

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