Food Preservation 101 Classes 7.22 - 8.19.2010

A series of classes covering the basics of food preservation will be taught in a series of six classes offered by WSU Clark County Extension.

The sessions are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays at the Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education, 11104 N.E. 149th St.

“Stocking Your Pantry: Food Preservation 101” offers information on equipment needed to preserve food, where to get the equipment, and basic instructions on preserving foods.

Participants will get how-to materials, a resource list for obtaining equipment and supplies, a website list and a sample taste of products.

Participants can sign up for any of the classes ($20 each) or all six ($100). To register, call 360-397-6060. For information, go to http://clark.wsu.edu.

Topics and dates:

• Thursday — Canning fruits.

• July 22 — Jams and jellies (sugar and sugar-free.)

• July 29 — Safe food dehydration and freezing.

• Aug. 5 — Pickling and fermentation.

• Aug. 12 — Tomatoes and salsas.

• Aug. 19 — Pressure canning for meat, fish, poultry and vegetables.

Urban Farm School Upcoming Classes & Events - July 2009

July is packed full of GREAT classes from Kendra and Toree and the Urban Farm School. Tons of information on canning, pickling, preserving, extending your harvest, and an evening of bat viewing at Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge! VERY COOL STUFF!!

Contact the Urban Farm School and sign up for some classes ASAP, 'cause they're filling up fast. Here's the schedule:

UPCOMING CLASSES

Jams and Jellies Primer
Thursday, July 9, 5 to 8pm
Submerge yourself in the wonderful world of jams and jellies. An easy way to reduce your grocery bills and increase the healthiness of the food you eat. We will discuss pectin options (including how to make your own!), seasonal fruits, sweeteners, and savory jellies as well as tools and materials needed at home. Workshop includes hands-on jam and jelly activity, all supplies, seasonal fruit for canning, and materials. You will leave this class with a bevy of jam and jelly options for home and the goodies you’ve canned in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Drying and Freezing the Harvest Primer
Sunday, July 12, 1 to 4pm
This workshop is designed to aid you in saving some of the harvest without canning. Learn about freezing fruits and vegetables, blanching, and storage as well as how to dry fruits and herbs for use throughout the year. Workshop includes hands-on drying activity, all supplies, seasonal herbs, and materials. You will leave this class with a bundle of knowledge, preservation confidence, and the goodies you’ve prepped in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Thursday, July 16, 6:30 to 8:30pm
Extending the Season’s Harvest
Learn about how to extend the growing and harvesting season throughout the fall and winter. Class will focus on seed selection, planting schedules, harvesting tips, mulching and other garden protectors.
Fee: $15
Location: Five Star Farms, 8806 NE 159th Street, Battle Ground, WA 98604
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.

Canning for Couples and Food Tasting
Saturday, July 18, 9am to 1pm
We are happy to be offering a class through Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation at Luepke Center. Spend the day with someone special, exploring the wonderful world of seasonal foods and home preservation. Walk away with a canned
item, basic waterbath canning confidence, and a greater
knowledge of our local food system. There will be seasonal food snacks served during the event.
Fee: $75/couple
Location: Luepke Kitchen Multi-Purpose Room, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., Vancouver 98663
Registration required: (Parks and Recreation office) 360-487-7050

Pickling Primer
Sunday, July 19, 1 to 4pm
There aren’t many things better than homemade pickles. Discussion will include appropriate foods for pickling, brine options, fermentation techniquesas well as tools and materials needed for home. Workshop includes hands-on pickling activity, all supplies, seasonal vegetables, and materials. You will leave this class with a new eye for pickling possibilities and the goodies you’ve pickled in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Waterbath Canning Primer
Thursday, July 23, 5 to 8pm
The workshop will cover the basics of water bath canning including what foods are appropriate for water bath canning vs. pressure canning, safety, syrups, tools, and materials. Workshop includes hands-on canning activity, all supplies, seasonal fruit for canning, and materials. You will leave this class with a greater knowledge of food safety, waterbath canning confidence, and the goodies you’ve canned in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Pressure Canning Primer
Sunday, July 26, 1 to 4pm
The workshop will cover the basics of pressure canning including what foods are appropriate for pressure canning vs. water bath canning, safety, pressure and time requirements, food preparation as well as tools and materials needed for home. Workshop includes hands-on canning activity, all supplies, seasonal vegetable for canning, and materials. You will leave this class with a greater knowledge and confidence of pressure canning and the goodies you’ve canned in class.
Fee: $40
Location: Pioneer Grange, 3803 NE 199th St. Ridgefield, 98642,
http://www.wa-grange.org/pioneergrange.htm
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.
Note: This class is limited to 10 people and requires payment in advance to secure your space.

Thursday, July 30, 6:30 to 8:30pm
Family Bat Night!
We’re batty for bats and the whole family can join us for an evening out! We will discuss the important role that these misunderstood mammals play in pest control and pollination. Class will consist of a lecture and short walk to view the bats in action. Come prepared for walking and outdoor weather.
Fee: $15/person, $30/family (up to 4 people)
Location: TBA
Registration required: 360-907-5814 or e-mail.

The Urban Farm School Web Site

Urban Farm School Upcoming Classes & Events

Here's an excerpt from a recent post on the Urban Farm School blog all about the good stuff they have planned for us this year. Very cool stuff!

In the spirit of new opportunities we are introducing a new series of classes this summer called “Primers” that will focus on a small classroom environment, intensive instruction and lots of hands-on/take home activities for preserving in-season foods from your garden as well as local sources. These classes are a great opportunity for people to decrease their grocery bills while increasing good, healthy, local food for their families while supporting their local food community. We look forward to seeing you at a Primer!

We are also excited to re-establish our relationship with Sherian Wright, the local native bee lady. Her website can be found at: http://www.mountainbugs.com and is a wealth of native bee information, box designs, easy how-to lessons and more. We are also excited to form a new relationship with ecolutionnw, a local Vancouver business that specializes in green building products, floors, counter tops, insulation and more. Join us for our first chicken class of the year March 10th at their store. visit their website at: http://www.ecolutionnw.com for store and product details.

For our second year we will be participating in the Marshall Center Earth Day Celebration, April 18. We’ll be conducting two basic canning information classes as well as having a booth. We’ll be available throughout the day to answer your questions and just talk gardening! This is a great family event with lots of information for all ages.

For the first time we will be participating at the Home and Garden Idea Fair at the Clark County Fairgrounds April 24-26. We will have an informational booth in the Exhibition Hall and will be conducting a “Food Gardening for Small Spaces” lecture Saturday at 1pm again this year. We are excited to be exhibitors in this annual event; it’s one we always look forward to visiting as guests!