Home Food Preservation Workshops Offered in Southcentral Pennsylvania

Penn State Extension will offer in-person food preservation workshops in Adams, Franklin, Perry, and York counties this summer.

Instructors will present research-backed information to help dispel food preservation myths, point out unsafe practices, and offer practical tips to ensure a positive experience when preserving food at home.

These two-hour workshops will help attendees — whether seasoned experts or beginners — to gain valuable food-preservation skills. The registration fee is $15, and pre-registration is required.

Workshop topics, times, dates, and locations are as follows:

Home Food Preservation: Jams and Jellies: Learn the science behind recommended methods for making and processing jam and jelly, while dispelling food preservation myths and unsafe practices.

• July 22, 2026 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) Penn State Extension Franklin County

Home Food Preservation: Tomatoes and Salsa: Learn about today's recommended methods for home food preservation during this in-person event while dispelling food preservation myths and unsafe practices of the past.

• August 5, 2026 (5:00 pm -7:00 pm) Penn State Extension Perry County
• August 31, 2026 (2:00 pm - 4:00 pm) Penn State Extension Franklin County

Home Food Preservation: Pressure Canning: Learn the science and safety of pressure canning low-acid foods like vegetables and meats, using USDA guidelines for safe home food preservation.

• August 19, 2026 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) Penn State Extension Adams County

Home Food Preservation: Drying: Learn the basics of drying foods at home, including safe methods, equipment considerations, and practical uses for dehydrated foods.

• September 1, 2026 (10:00 am - 12:00 pm) Penn State Extension York County
• September 1, 2026 (4:00 pm - 6:00 pm) Penn State Extension York County

Home Food Preservation: Wild Game: Learn the basics of pressure canning, dehydrating, and freezing as methods to preserve wild game.

• September 14, 2026 (4:00 pm - 6:00 pm) Penn State Extension Adams County
• October 5, 2026 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) Penn State Extension Franklin County

Home Food Preservation: Charcuterie Accompaniments: Learn safe, research-based methods for water bath and atmospheric steam canning, proper pectin use, and preparing jams, jellies, pickled vegetables, and chutneys.

• October 18, 2026 (1:00 pm - 3:00 pm) Hollabaugh Bros, Inc.

To stay informed about upcoming educational opportunities and to stay up to date on home food preservation news, tips, and recipes, sign up for our home food preservation newsletter.

Can't make it to one of our in-person events? Join us for one of our live webinars!

For more information, contact Sarah Davis, spd5944@psu.edu, Food Safety Educator based in Adams County.