2024 UCCE Master Food Preserver Training

Who Can Apply

• Priority given to Sacramento county residents. If space allows, neighboring county residents may be accepted.
• Applicants must be comfortable using a computer and accessing the internet. Class lessons, quizzes and homework are online using Google Classroom; class communication is via email.

How to Apply (dates are an example from 2024)

1. Attend one of two training information meetings to learn more about the volunteer requirements as well as the selection and training process. Each session lasts one hour and will be recorded. Attendance or viewing of the information meeting is a mandatory pre-requisite to apply.
   
   Please register online to attend one of the meetings shown below, or to receive a link to the meeting recording.
   
   
• Friday, October 20, 2023: 12:00 Noon—1:00 PM
• Thursday, November 9: 6:30 - 7:30 PM
  
  
2. Complete and submit the online application by the end of Sunday, November 19, 2023. Interviews will be during the weeks of December 5 and 12.

What We’ll Do

• Review applicants. Main criteria for acceptance: 1) prior community service, 2) experience teaching, either by giving presentations, writing, or in one-on-one situations, 3) experience/interest in home food preservation.
• Request a DOJ Clearance, including fingerprinting.
• Teach you how to preserve food successfully using scientifically researched home processes.
• Teach you how to educate our community about safe home food preservation.
• Provide you with plenty of fun volunteer and continuing education opportunities.

What You’ll Do If Accepted

• Pay the $300.00 course fee by January 3, 2024.
• Choose a track and attend the 11 Zoom classes as well as the in-person labs. The tracks for Zoom classes are Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 PM or Fridays 2-4 PM.  Labs are held in person on Saturdays or Sundays.  See the dates for Zoom classes and in person labs in the list on the right.  Only one class may be missed and must be completed outside of normal class time with a mentor.
• Complete the Live Scan fingerprinting process by February 9, 2024. See the Live Scan Process Webpage for instructions, downloading the form and completing the process.
• Attend at least one public class hosted by a UC Master Food Preserver Program; either in person or online, by April 19, 2024, as part of your training program.  See our calendar for these classes.
• Attend monthly program business meetings on the second Thursday of the month via Zoom at 6:30 PM as often as possible. 
• Complete 50 volunteer hours your first full program year, then 25 volunteer and 12 continuing education hours each year thereafter.
• Pass an annual food safety reappointment quiz.
• Have fun!

Preserve today,
relish tomorrow!