April 30, 2021 - 7:50am -- hicks.686@osu.edu

Getting ready to plant your garden?  Are you planning to preserve your garden produce? Need to know how to preserve - can, freeze or dry? Join Ohio State University Extension for a free webinar series that will teach you Food Preservation Basics. The series will be hosted over five Tuesdays from 4:00 - 5:00 pm. The first half hour will consist of a lesson on the topic listed followed by 30 minutes of open questions and answer time.  You can register for all or just pick the topic you want to learn more about. 

Date Topic
May 4, 2021 Jars and Lids
May 18, 2021 Water Bath Canning
June 1, 2021 Pressure Canning
June 15, 2021 Freezing
June 29, 2021 Drying

Register online at https://go.osu.edu/summer2021foodpreservationbasics.  Download the Food Preservation Basics flyer to save or share. 

You can also find links to food preservaton resources including fact sheets and recorded trainings at go.osu.edu/preservefranklin

Don't forget, one of the most important guidelines for home canning foods safely is using a pressure canner to process low-acid foods, such as vegetables, meat, poultry, and fish.  These low-acid foods must be pressure canned at the recommended time and temperature to destroy Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism food poisoning. Home canning low-acid foods in boiling water canners is absolutely unsafe because 212 degrees F is not high enough to destroy botulinum bacteria. With good reason, most people have a healthy regard for the possible dangers of pressure canners.  Usually this respect is based on an old story of a pressure canner “blowing up” in someone’s grandmother’s kitchen.  Regardless, it is important to realize that pressure canners are safe if the safety precautions are followed and the canner is used properly.  Dangers arise when the unit is not maintained and/or used properly. To make sure your pressure canner is working properly, all dial-gauge pressure canners should be tested for accuracy each year. OSU Extension in Fairfield County is offering canner dial gauge testing free of charge on May 11th, June 8th, June 22nd, July 27th and August 24th at the Extension Office. To ensure safety of our staff and guests, testing will be offered by appointment only. To reserve your time please visit: https://go.osu.edu/2021cannertestingfairfield.

Pressure Canner Testing Dates notification - May 11, June 8, June 22, July 27, August 24 from 9 am - 3 pm by appointment at OSU Extension Fairfield County.