Want to Become A Master Food Preserver?
Robin Cleveland
(530) 621-5528
2014-12-23
UCCE
Want to Become A Master Food Preserver?by Betty Hess-Pierce
UCCE Master Food Preserver of El Dorado County
The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) invites adults interested in helping others learn about safe home food preservation to apply to train to become a certified UCCE Master Food Preserver (MFP) volunteer. Master Food Preserver volunteers learn University-based, scientific information and then share that knowledge with our community in El Dorado County through free public classes, newsletters, Farm Day, farmers markets, Kid’s Expo, the County Fair, and other educational events.
There will be a program overview meeting for anyone interested in becoming a Master Food Preserver on
February 3, 2015 at 10 a.m. at the Bethell–Delfino Agriculture Building, 311 Fair Lane, Placerville, California 95667. We will discuss in depth what you will be doing as a certified MFP, what the classes consist of, and what your volunteer responsibilities may entail. Class size is limited to 12 students, so if you are interested, this is a meeting you should attend.
Training classes for accepted volunteers begin March 3 and meet consecutively for 12 weeks with graduation in May.
Only one class will be offered this year on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. until approximately 2 p.m. Classes consist of approximately 1 hour of lecture and 3-4 hours of hands-on lab.
The training fee is $95; payment is due before classes begin. Once training is completed, the new volunteers will be certified Master Food Preservers and agents of the UCCE. Our mission is to teach our local communities how to safely preserve food at home. As agents of the UCCE, MFPs of El Dorado County are required to volunteer at least 50 hours during your first year and 25 hours each subsequent year in our community. Highest priority for applicants is given to residents of El Dorado County. Residents from neighboring counties who are willing to volunteer in El Dorado County may also apply.
Complete the online application at
http://ucanr.edu/be_mfp. Applications will be due on
February 12, 2015. Interviews are on Tuesday, February 17. The main criteria for acceptance is prior community service; experience teaching, either by giving presentations, writing, or in one-on-one situations; and experience with home preservation.
For more information, contact Robin Cleveland at 530-621-5528 or
rkcleveland@ucdavis.edu.