Home Food Preservation Workshops Offered in Southeast Pennsylvania

Penn State Extension will offer in-person food preservation workshops in Berks, Lancaster, Lebanon, Montgomery, and Delaware 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 preregistration is required.

Workshop Details

Home Food Preservation: Introduction to Preserving. Learn the basics of canning, freezing, and dehydrating in this introductory class.

• April 30 (5 pm) Farm and Home Center in Lancaster, PA
• May 13 (5:30 pm) Lebanon County Extension Office in Lebanon, PA

Home Food Preservation: Jams and Jellies. Learn the science behind recommended methods for making and processing jam and jelly.

• April 15 (3 pm and 5:30 pm) Sinking Spring Public Library in Sinking Spring, PA
• May 13 (10 am) Farm and Home Center in Lancaster, PA
• June 6 (10 am) Red Hill Farm in Aston Township, PA
• June 10 (5:30 pm) Lebanon County Extension Office in Lebanon, PA

Home Food Preservation: Tomatoes and Salsa. Learn the safe method to preserve tomatoes and salsa.

• June 3 (3 pm and 6 pm) Redeemer Valley Farm in Huntington Valley, PA
• July 15 (10 am) Farm and Home Center in Lancaster, PA
• August 19 (2 pm) Lebanon County Extension Office in Lebanon, PA
• August 22 (10 am) Red Hill Farm in Aston Township, PA

Home Food Preservation: Pickling. Learn the basics of preparing and canning quick pickles.

• June 5 (3 pm and 5:30 pm) Sinking Spring Public Library in Sinking Spring, PA

Home Food Preservation: Pressure Canning. Learn the science behind pressure canning recommendations as well as the basics of using a pressure canner based on current USDA canning guidelines.

• July 1 (3 pm and 5:30 pm) Sinking Spring Public Library in Sinking Spring, PA
• July 8 (9 am) Farm and Home Center in Lancaster, PA
• July 29 (3 pm and 6 pm) Redeemer Valley Farm in Huntingdon Valley, PA

Home Food Preservation: Water Bath Canning. Learn the basics of water bath and atmospheric steam canning.

• July 8 (2 pm) Lebanon County Extension Office in Lebanon, PA

Home Food Preservation: Drying. Learn modern methods and the science behind them.

• August 5 (10 am) Farm and Home Center in Lancaster, PA

Home Food Preservation: Fermented Pickles and Sauerkraut. Learn the science behind fermenting pickles and sauerkraut. 

• September 26 (10 am) Red Hill Farm in Aston Township, PA

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 Andy Hirneisen, ajh284@psu.edu, Food Safety Educator based in Berks County.