Grown Here at Home: Virginia Cooperative Extension Food Preservation Conference coming to Wytheville

WYTHEVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) - Virginia Cooperative Extension is hosting a Food Preservation Conference on Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Wytheville Meeting Center, offering hands-on workshops for people looking to learn how to safely preserve their own food.

Andrea Haubner with Virginia Cooperative Extension said the organization has seen a spike in demand for food preservation classes, prompting the full-day event.

Attendees will begin with an overview session on food safety in food preservation, which is required for all participants. From there, attendees can choose from 15 workshops covering topics including canning meats and broth, fermentation, dehydration, making jams and jellies, and smoking meat.

“Whether you’re new to food preservation or if you’ve grown up preserving food, I think this is an event where you would walk away definitely learning something new,” Haubner said.

Attendees who own a pressure canner can bring it to the event to have it tested.

Lunch will be provided. 4-H Extension agents and volunteers will have a full day of activities planned for children.

The conference costs $60 for adults and $30 for children ages 8 and older. The registration deadline is Friday, July 24. You can register for the event here.