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

• 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