OSU Extension offers food preservation resources

When was the last time you needed to know how to do something? Where did you turn for the answer? Did you ask a parent, family member or friend? Did you “Google” it? Watch a YouTube video? Attend a class?

Our Ohio State University Extension food preservation team has put together a host of resources to help with answers whenever you need them. How can we help you?

There are many ways to preserve food for use later in the year. Following safe preservation guidelines is the best practice. This year’s webinar series is going back to basics to start at the beginning. Webinars are free, but registration is required. Register at go.osu.edu/fpwebinars. Each session is on a Tuesday from noon to 12:30 p.m.

—June 9: Methods of Preserving.

—June 23: Water Bath Canning Basics.

—July 7: Pressure Canning Basics.

—July 21: Freezing Basics.

—July 28: Drying Basics.

—Aug. 11: Making and Preserving Juice.

You can find recordings of past webinars at go.osu.edu/foodpreservationwebinars. Past series themes have been Food Preservation for Home and Emergencies; Traditions and Trends in Food Preservation; Food Preservation Five: Considerations for Preserving Food; Selecting, Storing and Serving Ohio Produce; Food Preservation Basics, Food Preservation — Seasonal Foods; and more. Check out the list of webinars and watch at your leisure or find the topic you need now.

Sometimes you need to talk it through with a real person. Call us. If you have a question about food preservation in Holmes County, call me at 330-674-3015. One of our food preservation team members is on call during regular business hours all summer long to assist with questions in an emergency, when the pot is already on the stove, even if the county extension educator, probably me, is not available. You also can always submit a question online through the Ask an Expert portal at extension.osu.edu/ask-an-expert. Your question will be reviewed and redirected to the proper person for a response.

Access and download information for canning, freezing and drying from Ohioline at ohioline.osu.edu, the National Center for Home Food Preservation at nchfp.uga.edu, other extension organizations from the internet or request copies from us. We can email or mail resources to you.

We have multiple dates scheduled around the county for pressure canner testing. Join us at Lehman’s in Kidron from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 13, June 25 or Aug. 27. Stop by Mt. Hope Hardware from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 24 or Aug. 26. Or visit Keim Home Store from noon to 4 p.m. July 22 or Sept. 21. Canner testing also can be scheduled at our office for a small fee.

Preserving your own food is a rewarding experience. Let’s make eating it a safe experience.

Kate Shumaker is an OSU Extension family and consumer sciences educator and may be called at 330-674-3015. Like and follow on Facebook @OSUEXTHolmes or visit holmes.osu.edu.