Backyard Basics Workshop to Focus on Canning and Jamming

An abundance of home grown fruits and vegetables often triggers the desire to can foods at home.  While this can be a fun and rewarding way to keep foods long after the season ends, care must be taken to assure that foods canned at home are safe to eat.

Not all recipes for home canning have been tested for safety. Sources of tested recipes include the National Center for Home Food Preservation (http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/), USDA, and manufacturers of home canning equipment and supplies.  Recipes from cookbooks, outdated Extension publications and the Internet should not be used. There are many other aspects to canning that one needs to consider, including water bath or pressure canner, appropriate recipe, jar size, headspace, and recommended processing (canning) times. 

Wise County area residents who are interested in learning how to use a pressure canner and water bath canner are invited to attend a  couple of Backyard Basics workshops hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office of Wise County.  Cost for each workshop is $20 The Basics-Using a Pressure Canner and Water Bath Canner is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25 from 1-4 pm at the Extension office. The workshop will teach participants about techniques and skills in order to safely can home grown vegetables and fruits. Participants will take home a jar of homemade salsa.

per person. The first program,

The second Backyard Basics program, Food Preservation with Jams and Jellies, will be held on Wednesday, July 16 from 1:00-3:30pm. Participants will learn how to make and process their own jams and jellies. Freezer preservation will also be covered. To register, please call 940-627-3341. Space is limited.